Prince Harry and Meghan Markle in San Diego on Nov. 8.Photo:Matt Sayles
Matt Sayles
Meghan MarkleandPrince Harryrecognized veterans and service members during a second surprise outing in San Diego ahead of Veterans Day and Remembrance Day.
Afterspending Wednesday morningwith veterans and active duty service members and their loved ones at Camp Pendleton, the Duke and Duchess of Sussex visited the grand opening of the Navy SEAL Foundation’s Warrior Fitness Program West Coast facility in San Diego, a few hours' drive south of their home in Montecito, California.
According to the couple’s Archewell Foundation, they “toured the new state-of-the-art complex, met with service members benefitting from the program and officially opened the facility alongside 250 supporters and participants.”
The Warrior Fitness Program provides holistic support for Naval Special Warfare personnel and veterans, with a focus on both their physical and mental wellness. During the visit, Navy SEALs, veterans and their families spoke with Prince Harry, 39, and Meghan, 42, about the importance of the program’s resources and support.
Meghan Markle and Prince Harry in San Diego on Nov. 8, 2023.Matt Sayles
Both Prince Harry and Meghan worepoppy pinsduring the outing — accessories that members of the royal family, includingKing Charles,Queen Camilla,Prince WilliamandKate Middleton, have also worn in recent days.
The poppy has been used since 1921 to commemorate military members who have died in war. The red flower is primarily associated with the U.K. and Commonwealth countries for Remembrance Day on November 11, though the U.S. also occasionally uses the symbol. The Veterans of Foreign Wars conducted the first nationwide distribution of remembrance poppies before Memorial Day in 1922, and the American Legion Auxiliary distributes paper poppies in exchange for donations around Memorial Day and Veterans Day.
Prince Harry in San Diego on Nov. 8, 2023.Matt Sayles
In Flanders fields the poppies blowBetween the crosses, row on row,That mark our place; and in the skyThe larks, still bravely singing, flyScarce heard amid the guns below.
While Prince Harry has been wearing the symbol throughout his life, Meghan began wearing poppies at herfirst Anzac Day servicein 2018 alongside Harry just one month before their royal wedding.
Prince Harry and Meghan Markle in San Diego on Nov. 8, 2023.Matt Sayles
Can’t get enough ofPEOPLE’s Royals coverage?Sign up for our free Royals newsletterto get the latest updates on Kate Middleton, Meghan Markle and more!
Meghan also incorporated poppies into her ensemble earlier on Wednesday during the visit to Camp Pendleton, sporting a cardigan with the symbol.
Meghan Markle in San Diego on Nov. 8, 2023.Matt Sayles
Prince Harry previously said he knew he wanted to be out of the military before starting a family. He and Meghan have two children: sonPrince Archie, 4, andPrincess Lilibet, 2.
source: people.com
