Prince Harry, Meghan Markle visit Australian airman’s grave in LA amid Remembrance Day rift
The gulf between Prince Harry and the Royal Family is now even wider after an embarrassing Remembrance Day dispute that left him and Meghan Markle out.
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The gulf between Prince Harry and the Royal Family is now as wide as the Atlantic Ocean that separates them after an embarrassing Remembrance Day dispute.
Prince Harry visited the grave of an Australian airman in Los Angeles after Buckingham Palace courtiers refused to lay a wreath on his behalf during ceremonies in London.
The Duke of Sussex was reportedly deeply saddened that the palace rejected his bid to be part of the traditional services in the UK, which were much smaller and socially distanced because of COVID-19.
In a show of defiance, Prince Harry and wife Meghan Markle had their own private ceremony when they visited the Los Angeles National Cemetery to mark Remembrance Day – 145km from their home near Santa Barbara, California.
Prince Harry, who was wearing his military medals, laid his own wreath at the LA cemetery.
“To all those who have served, and are serving. Thank you,” the message on the wreath said.
The couple also laid flowers on two graves, one of a Royal Australian Air Force member and one from the Royal Canadian Artillery, according to ITV royal reporter Chris Ship.
The photographs of the couple laying the flowers, and Prince Harry setting up the wreath were taken by Lee Morgan and then released publicly.
Prince Harry spoke to a Declassified podcast — released on Sunday to coincide with the commemoration — about what Remembrance Day meant to him.
He mentioned his two tours of Afghanistan and his decade in the military.
Prince Harry said that he wore a poppy to show his gratitude to those who died and he made a pointed reference to laying a wreath at the Cenotaph.
“I wear the poppy to recognise all those who have served; the soldiers I knew, as well as those I didn’t.
“The soldiers who were by my side in Afghanistan, those who had their lives changed forever, and those that didn’t come home.
“These are the people and moments I remember when I salute, when I stand at attention and when I lay a wreath at the Cenotaph.”
Prince Harry was devastated when his military roles were stripped from him as part of Megxit. He wore his heart on his sleeve when he said wearing the uniform was “amongst the greatest honours there are in life.”
“Lest we forget our fallen comrades, our relatives, our friends, lest we forget how different things must have been 100 years ago and how different they will be 100 years from now,” Prince Harry said.
In a twist, an $1800 wreath, which was used in last year’s event and still has Prince Harry’s name on it, has been found in the Royal British Legion’s headquarters.
The wreath was discovered gathering dust, raising questions about why it was simply not used as Prince Harry requested.
The Queen was not informed of Prince Harry’s plea, according to The Sunday Times, but led a service at the Cenotaph in central London on Sunday morning local time.
But Prince Harry, who now lives in California with his wife Meghan Markle, is believed to be very upset at the decision to reject his wish, The Times reported, as he has close links with the military.
He served for more than 10 years and has been involved in promoting causes for veterans including the Invictus Games.
The Duke of Sussex stepped down from royal duties in March, but was reportedly hoping to soon resume some of his military activities.
Prince Charles and Camilla and Prince William and Kate were both at the ceremony — a tradition began 100 years ago, on the same day.
Prince Andrew was absent from the service amid controversy surrounding his friendship with disgraced paedophile Jeffrey Epstein.
Prince Andrew has always categorically denied any wrongdoing and has condemned Epstein.
Prince Harry first laid a wreath at the Cenotaph 11 years ago.
Britain commemorates the end of World War One on the Sunday before the 11th of November – the official end date of that war – traditionally with moving ceremonies at Westminster Abbey and at the Cenotaph.All football matches also have a minute’s silence.
stephen.drill@news.co.uk
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Originally published as Prince Harry, Meghan Markle visit Australian airman’s grave in LA amid Remembrance Day rift
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