According to sources cited by the Daily Mail, Meghan Markle’s absence of a poppy at Kris Jenner’s 70th birthday celebration was due to the limited availability of these symbols in the United States. The Duchess attended the lavish James Bond-themed event at Jeff Bezos’s $165 million mansion during Remembrance weekend, notably without the commemorative flower as part of her ensemble. In contrast, Prince Harry donned a poppy on his tuxedo, which he secured after contributing to the appeal during a recent visit to Canada, where he engaged with some of the country’s oldest veterans.

Insiders revealed to the Daily Mail that Meghan could not publicly honor those who died in war because poppies are not as commonly found in the U.S. as they are in Commonwealth nations. The 44-year-old mother of two has been spotted wearing a poppy in the past alongside her husband, Harry, a veteran who completed two military tours in Afghanistan. Last year, the couple both wore poppies while releasing a joint video addressing online violence against children. In 2023, Meghan sported a poppy brooch during a visit with Harry to United States Navy SEALs in San Diego.

While poppies are available for purchase through the Royal British Legion’s website, getting one delivered to Montecito would require a hefty £28 postage fee. Meanwhile, royal author Tom Bower mentioned to the Daily Mail that Meghan securing an invite to Jenner’s party was a significant achievement. However, he noted that “it’s noticeable that Harry is unable to stage the rictus smile which actress Meghan always displays for the cameras.”

He told the Daily Mail: ‘He looks fed up being paraded, one day at sports match and on another day at a celeb party. ‘Clearly, he is now worried what revenge his brother might one day carry out against himself and his ambitious wife.’ During her 2024 video message, Meghan wore a five-petalled poppy, traditionally worn by royals. While in 2021 she had a poppy attached to her outfit as she joined The New York Times DealBook Online summit in New York City. Photographer Calla Kessler posted an image on social media at the time of Meghan with her poppy and said she had asked her about why she was wearing it. ‘I asked her about the poppy. It’s for Remembrance Day, to honor armed forces members,’ she said.

Last week, Prince Harry penned a Remembrance Day essay on the ‘banter’ and ‘bravery’ that makes him proud to be British. The Duke of Sussex expressed his pride at the ‘stoic spirt’ of self-deprecation and humour of ‘us Brits’ and said how the UK will ‘always be the country I proudly served’, despite leaving for the US in 2020. He said the ‘banter of the mess, the clubhouse, the pub, the stands’ are the ‘things that make us British’ and ‘I love it.’ The Royal, who is now residing 5,500 miles away with Meghan and their two children in Montecito, paid homage to Britain ahead of Remembrance Day. He reflected on the privilege of serving alongside soldiers from all four corners of the UK but warned how easy it is for veterans to be forgotten ‘once the uniform comes off’.

Harry called on people to remember ‘not only the fallen, but the living’ who carry the ‘weight of war’ and urged them to knock on veterans’ doors and ‘join them for a cuppa…or a pint’ to hear their stories and ‘remind them their service still matters’. In a personal 647-word piece titled The Bond, The Banter, The Bravery: What It Means To Be British – By Prince Harry, the Duke acknowledged although he ‘currently’ lives in the US, ‘Britain is, and always will be, the country I proudly served and fought for’. He described Remembrance as ‘not simply a minute’s silence’ but ‘a call to collective responsibility’. Harry expressed concern that, around the world this Remembrance Sunday, ‘peace for those lucky enough to know it, feels more fragile than ever’.

He told how he is ‘moved’ each year by the strength of the children of fallen military heroes supported by the Norfolk-based Scotty’s Little Soldiers charity, and praised the courage and camaraderie seen at his Invictus Games competition. He finished with: ‘Remembrance isn’t confined to one weekend in November. ‘It’s a lifelong commitment to empathy, gratitude, and action; to be kinder, more united, and braver in protecting what those before us fought to preserve. ‘So, as we bow our heads this weekend, let us remember not only the fallen, but the living – those who still carry the weight of war in body and mind, and the families who bear its memory in their hearts. ‘If you live near them, knock on their door. If you see them around, shake their hand.’