Prince Harry's Disappointment: Denied Request for Cenotaph Wreath on Remembrance Sunday 2020
Prince Harry was disappointed when his request to have a wreath laid on his behalf at the Cenotaph during Remembrance Sunday in 2020 was denied by the royal family. Despite his military service, the decision was made because he was no longer considered a "frontline royal." The wreath prepared for him remained boxed at the Royal British Legion’s headquarters in Kent.
Prince Harry, who served in the British Army for ten years, including two tours in Afghanistan, had hoped to honor fallen soldiers at the Cenotaph alongside other members of the royal family. However, his request was turned down, leaving him feeling hurt by his family's response.
Unable to participate in the U.K. ceremony, Prince Harry and Meghan Markle chose to commemorate Remembrance Sunday in their own way. They visited the Los Angeles National Cemetery, where they laid a wreath and placed flowers on the graves of two Commonwealth soldiers. The wreath bore a message honoring those who served, and Harry added his own message of gratitude.
According to royal historian Robert Lacey, Queen Elizabeth II personally rejected Prince Harry's request almost immediately. The late queen considered the Cenotaph ceremony to be "sacrosanct" and insisted on approving everything that took place there. Despite her respect for Harry's military service, she believed his appeal showed a lack of understanding of his role as a non-working royal.
In conclusion, Prince Harry's request to have a wreath laid on his behalf at the Cenotaph during Remembrance Sunday in 2020 was denied by the royal family, leading to disappointment and hurt feelings. Despite this, he and Meghan Markle found their own way to honor fallen soldiers by visiting the Los Angeles National Cemetery and laying a wreath in their memory.