Members of the Royal Family gathered to attend a service at the Cenotaph in London yesterday in an annual ceremony to honour fallen soldiers. Prince Harry and wife Meghan Markle, who now live in the US, took part in a ceremony of their own.
Pictures published online show the Duke of Sussex laying down flowers during a walk through the Los Angeles National Cemetery in California.
Royal fans then took to social media to praise the Sussexes’ personal service, with some pointing to Prince Harry’s own military background.
One said: “This picture is so powerful, and sends an amazing message.
“Harry doesn’t have to be in the UK to lay his respects for the military community. Once a soldier, always a soldier.”
Another said: “No matter what you think of them, this is the right thing to do.”
Others were critical of the fact a photographer was present, with one claiming it was “bad taste”.
READ: Prince Charles: ‘No virus can stop us honouring them’
Meghan Markle accompanied him, dressed in a black coat and face mask.
She also laid flowers, reportedly picked from the couple’s garden, at two graves of commonwealth soldiers.
A statement from Harry and Meghan read: “It was important to The Duke and Duchess to be able to personally recognise Remembrance in their own way, to pay tribute to those who have served and to those who gave their lives.”
In addition, the Duke of Sussex spoke out about the importance of Remembrance Sunday to him in a special podcast.
Prince Harry said: “To me, the uniform is a symbol of something much bigger. It’s symbolic of our commitment to protecting our country, as well as protecting our values.”
Prince Harry served in the British Army for around a decade where he achieved the rank of Captain.
Royals and UK government officials usually attend a Remembrance Sunday event every year.
The Queen led this year’s event at the Cenotaph in Whitehall, with Prime Minister Boris Johnson also present.
The proceedings had to be scaled back with social distancing measures in place due to the coronavirus pandemic.
In past years, it is typical for thousands of veterans and military personnel to attend the commemorations.
Some veterans were at the ceremony this year, though they numbered less than 30, the BBC reports.
Meanwhile, Prince William and Prince Charles both stepped forward to lay wreaths as part of the ceremony.
