Meghan Markle Honors Veterans Day After Backlash — Shares Throwback of Harry in Uniform
Meghan Markle’s Veterans Day post shifts focus from controversy to Prince Harry’s enduring legacy of military service.
Meghan Markle surely knows how to turn the narrative. On Veterans Day, the Duchess of Sussex paid tribute to all those who served with a throwback video of her husband's most iconic moment. The clip was from Prince Harry's 2013 deployment to Afghanistan, which showed him mid-interview at Camp Bastion when an alarm suddenly went off. Without any hesitation, the Duke of Sussex stops the interview and is seen sprinting towards his Apache helicopter. The powerful video showed that his focus was more on duty than spotlight.
Markle captioned the video, “As my husband says, ‘Once served. Always serving.’ Thank you to all who served, sacrificed, and continue to serve. Honoring you on Veterans Day. And every day.” The post also included a more recent photo of the 41-year-old Prince meeting veterans and healthcare workers at Toronto’s Sunnybrook Veterans Centre. The image tied his military service to his ongoing work through the Invictus Games, which he founded in 2014 to support injured veterans through sport and community.
The timing of Markle's post, however, hasn't gone unnoticed by royal watchers. The tribute followed a weekend of partying with America's elite that drew Harry and Markle heavy criticism. Dressed in black outfits, the Sussexes attended the Baby2Baby Gala in West Hollywood and Kris Jenner’s 70th birthday bash at Jeff Bezos’ $165 million Beverly Hills home. Their glamorous night out came as the royal family marked Remembrance weekend in London with solemn tributes. Netizens believed the couple’s appearance clashed with the spirit of reflection observed by the monarchy.
Palace insiders reportedly found the couple’s appearance at the James Bond-themed gala ‘tacky.’ A Page Six source argued it showed just how Harry is "far removed from the rest of the family." They added, "These people may be stars in America, but the pure ostentatiousness is at odds with what Prince William is trying to do with his life and the monarchy." A picture that went viral showed Marke having a chat with Kim Kardashian and warmly embracing Jenner. This only deepened discussions about the Sussexes' growing ties to Hollywood.
Markle’s Veteran Day post seems to be an attempt at re-centering their image, reminding the public of Harry’s decade-long military career. The 41-year-old served from 2005 to 2015, completing two tours in Afghanistan and rising to the rank of captain. In a recent video message for the Heroic Hearts Gala, Harry made a surprise appearance. Through a pre-recorded clip from outside his Montecito home, he reflected on what service means to him today.
“As a combat veteran and someone who cares deeply about mental fitness, I’ve seen how important genuine veteran-led support is,” he said, also applauding, “You guys have created a safe space where courage isn't defined by silence but by showing up. Where strength isn't the absence of struggle, but the willingness to face it." His words carried the same conviction seen in the video shared by Markle, proof that for the Duke, the call to serve hasn't ended.
