Meghan Markle, the Duchess of Sussex, has stirred up a controversy among some US veterans by wearing a poppy pin on her clothing during a recent visit to a Navy fitness center in San Diego with her husband, Prince Harry.
According to a report by Express, the poppy pin is a symbol of remembrance for those who died in war, and is traditionally worn in Britain and other countries around November 11, which marks Armistice Day, the end of World War I.
However, in the US, the poppy pin is more commonly associated with Memorial Day, which takes place in May, and honors the fallen service members of all wars.
Some US veterans took to social media to express their displeasure with Meghan’s choice of accessory, accusing her of being insensitive, ignorant, or unpatriotic. One Twitter user wrote: “Meghan Markle looks like a bloody moron wearing a Royal British Legion Poppy.
Who told her wearing a British poppy while ‘celebrating American veterans’ would be a good look.” Another commented: “She’s not even American anymore. She should respect our traditions and not impose hers on us.” A third said: “She’s trying to act like she cares about veterans, but she’s really just disrespecting them by wearing a poppy in November. It’s not even our holiday.”
However, not everyone was critical of Meghan’s poppy pin. Some defended her decision, pointing out that she is married to a veteran herself, as Prince Harry served two tours of duty in Afghanistan with the British Army. They also noted that Meghan has marked remembrance events in November since her marriage, and that she has a right to honor both her British and American heritage.
One supporter tweeted: “Meghan Markle is wearing a poppy pin because she is honoring her husband, who is a veteran, and the millions of others who sacrificed their lives for freedom. She is not disrespecting anyone. She is showing respect for both countries.” Another said: “She’s wearing a poppy pin because she’s a global citizen who cares about humanity. She’s not bound by one country’s rules or customs. She’s embracing both cultures and showing solidarity with the world.”
Meghan’s poppy pin is not the only thing that has drawn attention to her fashion choices lately. The Duchess of Sussex has also been praised for her stylish and sophisticated outfits, which some observers say reflect the royal styling lessons she learned in London.
According to Vogue, Meghan has continued the royal art of dressing diplomatically and thoughtfully, selecting outfits that are imbued with symbolism.
For example, she wore a wool cardigan featuring embroidered poppies by Carolina Herrera for the first event, and she opted for a red pin on her suit for the second outing. She also wore a black turtleneck dress by Brandon Maxwell, a former stylist for Michelle Obama, for a visit to a women’s shelter in New York.
Meghan Markle and Prince Harry have been living in California since stepping back from their royal duties in 2020. They have been involved in various charitable and humanitarian causes, such as supporting veterans, mental health, and environmental issues. They have also launched their own media ventures, including a podcast, a Netflix deal, and a book deal.
While I can understand the situation from America’s point of view with regard to memorial day, the first world war ended in the month of November, a war American servicemen fought and died in, so she should be applauded for wearing a poppy.