This weekend saw the Royal Family come together to mark Remembrance Day, with Prince Harry and Meghan Markle notably absent from the key events in the UK.
Prince Harry and Meghan Markle were noticeably absent from this year's Festival of Remembrance and Remembrance Sunday at the Cenotaph, where the Royal Family paid their respects in full force.
Amid these solemn commemorations, a seasoned Royal expert expressed his belief that the Duke of Sussex, who is 40, would "undoubtedly be regretful" about not being able to join his family in the UK for the tributes.
Veteran Royal commentator Richard Fitzwilliams remarked: "For Harry, there will undoubtedly be mixed feelings. He is still part of the British military family and its major act of homage to the fallen in Whitehall, where his father, the King, leads the nation's homage to the fallen. He will be absent in person but undoubtedly present in spirit."
Fitzwilliams continued: "Each year on Remembrance Sunday he and Meghan commemorate it by doing something which they regard as appropriate for the occasion. Last year, they visited the Navy SEALS Foundation facility in California in advance of the actual date."
In a gesture of remembrance from across the pond, Prince Harry penned a heartfelt letter to children and youths who have lost a military parent, through his role with Scotty's Little Soldiers, where he serves as a Global Ambassador, reports the Mirror.
Mr Fitzwilliams noted: "This year's letter was especially personal as he referenced his mother's death, which so traumatised him."
The Duke penned a touching letter to the youngsters aided by a charity, sharing his understanding that losing a parent can feel "overwhelming and isolating". Moreover, he underlined that remembrance is a time "not only time to honour the extraordinary sacrifices made by our service members" but also "to recognise the impact these sacrifices have on families".
According to Mr Fitzwilliams, the Duke of Sussex likely found the Remembrance Sunday service deeply meaningful, given his history with the military. "Prince Harry has always said that the decade he spent in the military was the making of him.
"His two tours of duty in Afghanistan were undoubtedly a success and his popularity at that time was huge in Britain. On an occasion like Remembrance Sunday, his thoughts, from California, will undoubtedly be regretful", he conveyed to the Express.
Mr Fitzwilliams remarked to the Express about the Duke's past involvement in remembrance events: "He first laid a wreath at the Cenotaph in 2009. In 2020, after he and Meghan had stepped down as senior working royals, his military patronages were removed and he was, save in special circumstances such as the Vigil in Westminster Hall for Queen Elizabeth, not permitted to wear uniform at ceremonial events.
"He sent a wreath requesting it be laid at the Cenotaph in his name in 2020, but this was reportedly denied by Palace officials."
Following a distinguished decade-long Army career including two tours in Afghanistan, Harry lost his military titles and patronages upon stepping back as a senior Royal, which precludes his wearing of a military uniform during Royal occasions.
On November 10, King Charles led the nation in a poignant two-minute silence on Remembrance Sunday to pay tribute to the fallen. Dressed in his Royal Navy uniform of the Admiral of the Fleet complete with greatcoat, poppy and sword, the King laid the first wreath at the base of the Cenotaph, adorned with 41 open-style poppy petals crafted from bonded fabric.
He was accompanied by members of the Royal Family, including his son Prince William and siblings Princess Anne and Prince Edward, at the Cenotaph. Princess Kate observed from the balcony of the Foreign Office alongside Sophie, the Duchess of Edinburgh, as 10,000 veterans participated in the Royal British Legion's veteran parade.
The annual service, a key event in the Royal calendar, honours the Armistice of the First World War and all other conflicts involving British and Commonwealth forces.
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