Meghan Markle sparked outrage over her choice of poppy during a video call two years ago. In November 2024, the Duchess of Sussex appeared in a video alongside Prince Harry in which they discussed children’s safety in the digital world. While both donned poppies, Meghan’s didn’t appear to have leaves on the stalk, leading one royal commentator to point out that it resembled a Scottish or Canadian design more.
Speaking of the clip after it emerged, commentator Lee Cohen shared his opinion on GB News, saying: “When I saw that, I immediately made a post on Twitter that actually went viral, expressing that it makes one nauseous to see Meghan Markle wearing the poppy commemorating the noble dead of the nation. She is so disrespectful, so disrespected, and apparently a lot of people agree.”
Meghan also sparked controversy over her poppy choice in 2023, when she stepped out with her husband to attend the opening of a new Navy fitness centre in San Diego, CA. While November 11 marks Armistice Day in the UK and other countries of the world, this is not the case in America.
The day in the US is celebrated as Veterans’ Day in honour of the Armed Forces. This means that wearing a poppy isn’t required, and instead, poppies tend to be worn for Memorial Day in May in America.
In 2023, Meghan’s poppy sparked outrage from American veterans as she paid a nod to British custom rather than an American one.
At the time, one furious fan wrote on social media: “Who told her wearing a British poppy while ‘celebrating American veterans’ would be a good look.”
Another said: “I didn’t think poppies are worn on Veterans Day in the US, but are worn on Memorial Day in May? Am I wrong?” They went on to claim Meghan was “claiming front & centre stage” at the event.
It has been reported that Harry and Meghan will mark Remembrance events privately this weekend but will not join the royals at the Cenotaph in London today.
With Christmas upcoming, the couple could be set to spend their first Christmas in the UK since 2018. The couple may also be joined by her mum, Doria Ragland, as spending the holiday with her was “always the plan”.
The Duke and Duchess of Sussex are now residing somewhere in the Cotswolds with their two children, Prince Archie, seven, and Princess Lilibet, five.
