It marked the 12-year-old’s first time at the ceremony, where he joined his mother, Princess Kate, along with King Charles, Queen Camilla, Prince Edward, and Sophie, Duchess of Edinburgh. William was absent from the event as he was in Brazil for The Earthshot Prize and the COP30 conference.

George wore a smart black suit with a red poppy on his lapel, a moment that touched many royal fans. One wrote on social media: “Such a wonderful first mother and son engagement. They both look sharp and happy.” Another added: “Prince George has grown up so quickly, and it’s heartwarming to see him by his mother’s side at such a significant event.”

Meghan’s Absence of a Poppy Sparks Debate

Meanwhile, Prince Harry and Meghan Markle also made headlines over the weekend for a different reason. The Duchess of Sussex was photographed without a poppy while attending Kris Jenner’s birthday party on Saturday night (November 8).

Harry, however, wore a poppy on his tuxedo — a detail that drew attention to his wife’s decision not to wear one.

While some criticized Meghan, many fans defended her online. “Last year Meghan wore a poppy and the tabloids tore her apart. This year she didn’t, and it’s the same outrage,” one person wrote on X. “It’s a classic case of damned if she does, damned if she doesn’t.”

Another added: “She is damned if she does, damned if she doesn’t.”

According to the Royal British Legion, wearing a poppy is “never compulsory” but “greatly appreciated by those it is intended to support.” The organization describes it as a “very personal choice.”

Meghan has previously worn poppies both during her time as a working royal and after moving to the United States with Harry in 2020.