Faced with Buckingham’s refusal to lay a wreath on his behalf on Veterans’ Memorial Day, Prince Harry organized his own remembrance ceremony in Los Angeles with his wife Meghan.
Far from the eyes, but always close to the heart. For Remembrance Day on November 7, Prince Harry and his wife Meghan Markle orchestrated their own remembrance ceremony at Los Angeles National Cemetery.
On Sunday, November 8, Prince Harry and Meghan Markle organized their own day of remembrance after Elizabeth II’s grandson was denied a very special request by Buckingham Palace.
It was a particularly important moment for Prince Harry. A former soldier in the British Army, for several years the Duke of Sussex has been an emotional participant in Remembrance Sunday, which commemorates the end of the First World War and the memory of the many soldiers killed.
A day celebrated by the entire British Royal Family, but which this year had two absentees: Prince Harry and Meghan Markle. Now settled in the United States, the couple had however wanted to make a gesture during the celebrations in the United Kingdom, which was however refused.
Very attached to this ceremony, Prince Harry had indeed asked that a wreath of flowers be placed in his name at the cenotaph in Whitehall, London, during the ceremony which took place on Sunday, November 8. “Deeply saddened” by Buckingham Palace’s refusal, the Duke of Sussex decided to hold his own ceremony. So from the National Cemetery in Los Angeles, he and his wife decorated the graves of two Commonwealth soldiers, as well as the obelisk that serves as a war memorial.
Meghan Markle picked flowers from her garden for the ceremony
For the occasion, Prince Harry proudly wore his military medals, but his titles were taken away when he left the royal family, while he also wore the famous Remembrance Poppy with his wife. It was a solemn moment for the couple, who took care to bring flowers from their own garden to flower the graves. “The couple laid flowers that the Duchess picked from their own garden on the graves of two Commonwealth soldiers,” reports a spokesman relayed by the Daily Mail, who says it was “important for the Duke and Duchess to be able to personally recognize Remembrance in their own way, to pay tribute to those who served and those who gave their lives.
A day of national tribute to the victims of war that is especially special in the heart of Prince Charles’ youngest son who served the British Army for 10 years. But while the Royal Family, as usual, attended a ceremony at the Whitehall Cenotaph in London, Meghan and Harry chose to mark the occasion in their own way.
“The couple laid flowers that the Duchess picked from their garden on the graves of two Commonwealth soldiers,” reports an official statement quoted by the Daily Mail. A wreath was also laid on an obelisk in the cemetery, to which Prince Harry had made a point of adding a message signed by his hand: “To all who have served and are serving.
Thank you.” A strong and touching gesture that shows Prince Harry’s sincere commitment but is also a sign of the gulf that is widening daily between Sussex and the rest of the royal family.
As revealed in the Sunday Times on November 8, Harry had requested permission to lay a wreath in his name at the Cenotaph in London. As Sussex had relinquished a prominent role in the royal family, this request was denied.
According to The Times, Prince Harry was “deeply saddened” by the refusal. Harry’s crown had been made at the Kent HQ of the British Royal Legion for £1,000. A sum invested at a loss after Buckingham Palace rejected Harry’s request. Another cruel slap in the face.
Photo credits : Backgrid UK/ Bestimage