Meghan and Prince Harry are thought to still have strained relations with the rest of the Royal Family after they left the Firm earlier this year. The couple have now settled in California, US, and with the UK about to enter another national lockdown, they are unlikely to return to Britain to celebrate key events such as Remembrance Day with the other royals and smooth things over. Even though the pair are no longer working royals, it’s thought they may continue to attend special group occasions to show they still “honour our duty to The Queen, the Commonwealth and our patronages”.
The Remembrance Day service is usually a particularly important event for royal watchers, as it gives insight into the family’s dynamic.
Meghan first attended the annual service in 2018, which was the 100th anniversary of signing the Armistice which ended the battle on the Western Front during World War 1.
She was seen standing on a balcony next to the wife of the German President, Elke Budenbender, while the Queen stood on a separate balcony with Kate, Duchess of Cambridge and Camilla, Duchess of Cornwall.
This was seen as a snub by some royal watchers — however, with a closer look, it’s clear that this gesture actually elevated Meghan’s status.
Royal commentator Richard Fitzwilliams explained: “The balconies overlooking Whitehall occupied by the Royal Family are very small.
“The Queen was without Prince Philip who has retired and the Duchess of Cornwall and the Duchess of Cambridge are future Queen Consorts.
“To be on a balcony with the wife of the German President, Frau Elke Budenbender as Meghan obviously had a unique cachet.”
This counteracts claims within the pro-Sussex, but unauthorised, biography, ‘Finding Freedom’, where authors Omid Scobie and Carolyn Durand claim the pair felt unappreciated by the Palace.
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The book claims: “As their popularity had grown, so did Harry and Meghan’s difficulty in understanding why so few inside the Palace were looking out for their interests.”
The book also alleges the couple did not like having to take a “backseat” to the other royals, although the Sussexes have distanced themselves from the text and the authors confirmed they did not collaborate for ‘Finding Freedom’.
Speaking to Online in 2018, Mr Fitzwilliams pointed out the significance of Meghan’s first Remembrance Day service.
He explained: “This historic occasion was the first time a German President or representative of Germany was involved in the ceremony and this was a highly significant moment of reconciliation.”
Thus Meghan’s role next to Germany’s representative was clearly noteworthy.
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Prince Charles did not stand on the balcony as he was laying the wreath in the Queen’s place, alongside Prince William and Prince Harry.
Prince Philip was not in attendance at all, after officially retiring from public life in 2017.
For her second year on the royal frontline, Meghan was again photographed on a separate balcony to the other senior royal women.
She stood next to Prince Edward’s wife, Sophie Countess of Wessex.
However, this was seen as a dramatic service.
This Remembrance Day took place shortly after Harry publicly acknowledged that he and William were “on different paths” during an ITV programme.
It was the first time the brothers had been seen together in public since the documentary aired, too.
It was also the last public engagement the Duke and Duchess of Sussex were to fulfil before declaring their departure from the Firm.
After the service, Meghan and Harry went on an extended break to Canada with their young son Archie.
Upon their return in January, they announced their decision to leave the royal frontline — and then dashed back to North America once again, where they have been ever since.
