Meghan Markle’s team has responded to criticism after the Duchess of Sussex was spotted without a poppy during Remembrance Day commemorations — a decision that has stirred outrage among royal watchers and Commonwealth supporters.

Why Meghan Didn’t Wear a Poppy

According to a source close to the Duchess, Meghan chose not to wear a poppy at Kris Jenner’s lavish 70th birthday party simply because poppies are “not widely available outside the Commonwealth.” The event, held at Jeff Bezos’s $165 million mansion, was a glamorous Bond-themed celebration attended by over 300 celebrities.

Prince Harry accompanied his wife to the party and was seen wearing a poppy on his tuxedo lapel, while Meghan opted not to wear one at all.

Remembrance Day, which honors the end of the First World War and pays tribute to members of the armed forces who lost their lives in service, is traditionally marked across the Commonwealth. In the UK and other member nations, the red poppy — homemade or bought through charity appeals — is worn in the weeks leading up to November 11.

Royal Reporter Calls Meghan’s Decision “Pathetic and Disappointing”

California-based royal reporter Kinsey Schofield condemned Meghan’s choice, calling it “pathetic and disappointing.”

“It just shows us what the Sussexes have been reduced to, unapologetically tacky,” Schofield told Sky News Australia. “How pathetic and disappointing their priorities currently are.”

Her comments reflect growing frustration among Commonwealth citizens, many of whom feel that Meghan’s use of her royal title contrasts sharply with her apparent detachment from royal and British traditions.

Meghan’s Team Defends Her Decision

In response to the backlash, sources close to Meghan told the Daily Mail that she was not deliberately snubbing the symbol of remembrance but simply lacked access to one. “Poppies are not widely available in the United States,” the source said, adding that Harry’s poppy had been purchased from a veterans’ appeal during a recent trip to Canada.

Meghan Has Previously Worn the Poppy

Critics were quick to point out that Meghan has worn poppies in past years since stepping back from royal duties. In 2024, she sported the symbol during a video address about online safety filmed at the Sussexes’ Montecito estate. The previous year, in 2023, she wore a poppy brooch while accompanying Prince Harry on a visit to U.S. Navy SEALs in San Diego.

Despite her team’s explanation, the Duchess’s decision this year has reignited debate over her ongoing connection to royal traditions and the meaning behind her continued use of her royal title.