Remembrance Day 2019: Why Meghan Markle Didn't Stand with the Queen, Where Prince Philip Was & More

Julie Sprankles

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Every year on the second Sunday in November, senior members of the royal family gather to pay tribute to those who have lost their lives in war — and the royal family continued the tradition for Remembrance Day 2019. But why didn’t Meghan Markle join the other immediate female members of the royal family on their balcony? And where was Prince Philip? The royal family’s presence sparked a few questions that, although they may seem salacious, have simple explanations.

The commemorations for Remembrance Day started earlier in the week, with the royal family being joined by cabinet ministers, religious leaders, representatives of Commonwealth nations and members of the armed forces to honor the armed force’s community at Saturday’s Remembrance Festival. The earlier events culminated in the annual Remembrance Day service held at the Cenotaph in London on Sunday. After a service in which wreaths were laid at the war memorial, the Royal Air Force sounded the bugle call, Rouse, followed by 10,000 veterans marching slowly past the memorial in a somber procession.

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Photos from the services, once shared, led to some speculation and general curiosity about the ritual side of the ceremony as well as the relationships in the royal family. So, let’s examine.

Why weren’t Prince Harry and Meghan Markle seated with the Queen?

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Tonight, members of the Royal Family are at the Royal Albert Hall for the Festival of Remembrance. The annual event, held in honour of those who have given their lives in the service of their country, has been marked since 1923. Tomorrow, Remembrance events culminate in the Cenotaph service on Whitehall which will be attended by more than 10,000 veterans and serving members of the Armed Forces. 📸 Press Association

A post shared by The Royal Family (@theroyalfamily) on Nov 9, 2019 at 2:11pm PST

At the Festival of Remembrance on Saturday, Kate Middleton and Prince William were seated near the Queen, while Harry and Meghan were seated several rows back. Since the couples used to sit together, the distance made fans wonder if this was indicative of rumored tension between the two households.

However, the distance is more likely a reflection of the royal family’s order of precedence. Queen Elizabeth is clearly always front and center, with Prince Charles — the next in line to the throne — beside her. Since William is second in line to the throne, he and Kate sit in close proximity to the queen, too. Harry is sixth in line to the throne, which explains why he is seated further away. Now that the two households have separated, they’ll likely be treated according to their individual orders.

Why didn’t Meghan join Kate Middleton, Camilla and the Queen on the balcony?

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‘When you go Home, tell them of us and say, For your Tomorrow, we gave our Today.' Members of the Royal Family joined faith leaders, political leaders, veterans and serving members of the Armed Forces who gathered at the Cenotaph on Whitehall this morning to remember those who have lost their lives in conflict. The word cenotaph means ‘empty tomb’ and it symbolises the unprecedented losses suffered during the First World War. The Cenotaph was unveiled by King George V on 11 November 1920 at the same ceremony which saw the Unknown Warrior laid to rest. Initially intended as a temporary structure, the Cenotaph was made permanent after the British people, still grieving for the huge losses of the First World War, took the monument to their hearts. 📸 Press Association

A post shared by The Royal Family (@theroyalfamily) on Nov 10, 2019 at 5:25am PST

At one point during Sunday’s ceremony, Queen Elizabeth, Kate Middleton and Camilla, Duchess of Cornwall, stood together on a balcony outside the Cenotaph war memorial. Meghan watched from another balcony, standing between Sophia, Countess of Wessex, and Sir Timothy Laurence, Princess Anne’s husband. According to People, this is also nothing more than a reflection of the royal pecking order.

Why did the Queen wear five flowers?

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On #RemembranceSunday The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge joined Her Majesty The Queen and members of @TheRoyalFamily, as the nation honoured those who have lost their lives in conflict. The Duchess of Cambridge joined The Queen and The Duchess of Cornwall on the balcony of the Foreign Office for the National Service of Remembrance, as The Prince of Wales laid a wreath at the Cenotaph on behalf of The Queen, who is Head of the Armed Forces, followed by The Duke of Cambridge, The Duke of Sussex, The Duke of York, and Members of the Royal Family. Every year, the nation unites on Remembrance Sunday, traditionally held at 11am on the second Sunday in November, to honour the service and sacrifice of our Armed Forces community, the British and Commonwealth veterans, the Allies that fought alongside us and the civilian servicemen and women involved in the two World Wars and later conflicts 📷PA / Crown Copyright #WeWillRememberThem

A post shared by Kensington Palace (@kensingtonroyal) on Nov 10, 2019 at 5:25am PST

One of the most distinctive hallmarks of Remembrance Day is the way everyone wears red poppy pins to honor the fallen. Most people wear one, but the Queen has been known to wear several — this year, she wore five. Per the U.K.’s Metro, the Queen hasn’t specifically addressed her decision to wear numerous poppies. However, it’s thought by some that each poppy could represent each service in the World Wars: the Army, the RAF, the Navy, the Civil Defence and women.

Others speculate it could be a way for the Queen to set herself apart as the most senior dignitary on Remembrance Sunday.

Why wasn’t Prince Philip in attendance?

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Today, The Duke and Duchess of Sussex joined Her Majesty The Queen and members of @TheRoyalFamily at the National Service of Remembrance at the Cenotaph to commemorate and honour the men and women who have lost their lives in conflict. As shared at last night’s Festival of Remembrance, this quote embodies the sacrifice of those that serve: • “When you go home, tell them of us and say, for your tomorrow, we gave our today.” • For more details of this week of Remembrance and their Royal Highness’s recognition for those who serve, please see previous posts. #WeWillRememberThem #RemembranceDay Photo © PA

A post shared by The Duke and Duchess of Sussex (@sussexroyal) on Nov 10, 2019 at 8:43am PST

While it was special to see Queen Elizabeth flanked by two future queens (Camilla and Kate) on the balcony, it also made it that much more apparent that Prince Philip wasn’t in attendance. No need to worry, though! He wasn’t expected to accompany the queen. He wasn’t at last year’s service, and he wasn’t announced as an attendee this year. Since he retired from royal duties in 2017, whether or not he attends an event is at his discretion.

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