On a week marked by solemn remembrance and subtle shifts in royal tradition, the British royal family found itself in the spotlight for reasons both expected and surprising. As Remembrance Day ceremonies unfolded across the UK and beyond, members of the royal family paid tribute to veterans in ways that both honored longstanding customs and signaled a quiet evolution in their public personas.
Meghan Markle, the Duchess of Sussex, set the tone on November 14, 2025, with a heartfelt social media post dedicated to her husband, Prince Harry. The post, which quickly garnered widespread attention, featured a moving video of Prince Harry in military uniform during his second deployment to Afghanistan. According to reporting by Reach Plc, the video captured a moment when Harry, mid-interview, was abruptly called away due to a military alert—a reminder of the unpredictable and dangerous nature of his service. Accompanying the video was a poignant photograph of Harry at the Sunnybrook Hospital’s Veterans Centre in Toronto, underscoring his ongoing commitment to those who have served.
Meghan’s caption read, "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 message resonated with audiences on both sides of the Atlantic, bridging the gap between America’s Veterans Day and Britain’s Remembrance Day traditions.
While royal watchers might have speculated about potential tensions, especially given the sometimes-fraught relationship between the Sussexes and the rest of the royal family, former royal butler Grant Harrold offered a different perspective. Harrold, who served King Charles from 2007 to 2011, told Reach Plc that the monarch would not only approve of Meghan’s post but would be "glad at Meghan acknowledging and respecting" Prince Harry’s military service. "It’s a very powerful video, and a very emotive post," Harrold observed. He went on to say, "It’s definitely showing Meghan’s move to a more 'celebrity' approach to social media, sharing the video she wants and feels are important on key days." Harrold further emphasized, "I don’t think the Royal Family will feel badly about it at all, I think they will approve it." He concluded, "The King was extremely proud of his son serving in Afghanistan."
Prince Harry’s military career spanned a decade, from 2005 to 2015, including two tours of duty in Afghanistan. His service has long been a point of pride for both himself and his family, and Meghan’s public acknowledgment seemed to strike a harmonious note, at least according to those familiar with the inner workings of the royal household.
While Meghan’s tribute unfolded online, back in London, the Remembrance Day gathering on November 11, 2025, offered its own quiet drama. Kate Middleton, Princess of Wales, and Sophie Wessex, the Duchess of Edinburgh, were front and center at the official ceremony. But it wasn’t just their presence that drew attention—it was their demeanor.
Traditionally, members of the royal family have maintained a stoic, almost impenetrable composure during such solemn events, a standard set by the late Queen Elizabeth II. However, this year’s ceremony saw a subtle but meaningful departure from that script. Body language expert Judi James, speaking to the Daily Express, noted that both Kate and Sophie displayed emotions that broke, if only slightly, from the so-called "Elizabeth rules."
James described Kate as "standing to elegant attention wearing a suitably solemn facial expression," sharing the balcony with Queen Camilla. Yet, as the ceremony progressed, Kate couldn’t suppress "a very warm, loving and admiring dimpled smile" at her husband, Prince William, and his father, King Charles, as they walked back inside. It was a fleeting moment, but one that spoke volumes about the evolving nature of royal protocol.
Sophie Wessex, meanwhile, stood with the visibly frail Duke of Kent. She maintained a "very stoic pose on her balcony spot," James observed, but at one point was seen wiping away a tear—an unmistakable display of emotion rarely seen from royals at such events. "Both women seemed to prove how much they have inherited their royal behavioral legacy direct from the late Queen they were both so close to," James said, before adding that their actions "suggest a modern evolution here."
These moments, though subtle, have not gone unnoticed. For decades, the royal family’s public image has been carefully managed, with members expected to embody restraint and dignity, especially during national ceremonies of remembrance. Queen Elizabeth II, in particular, was renowned for her unflappable stoicism, a quality that became synonymous with the monarchy itself. Yet, as this year’s Remembrance Day events demonstrated, the younger generation is quietly redefining what it means to be royal in the 21st century.
Observers have pointed out that such changes, while incremental, reflect broader shifts in British society and the world at large. The public is increasingly receptive to displays of authenticity and vulnerability, even from those in positions of great privilege. In this context, Kate’s smile and Sophie’s tear were not breaches of protocol but rather signs of a monarchy adapting to the times.
At the same time, Meghan Markle’s embrace of social media and her "celebrity" approach, as Harrold described it, speaks to a different but equally modern impulse: the desire to connect directly with audiences, unfiltered by traditional channels. While this approach has sometimes put her at odds with royal conventions, in this instance, it appears to have earned a measure of approval—even from the King himself.
It’s worth noting that these developments come at a time when the royal family faces significant challenges, from ongoing public scrutiny to internal divisions. Yet, the events of Remembrance Day week suggest that the family is capable of navigating these complexities with both grace and a willingness to evolve. Whether it’s Meghan honoring her husband’s service with a heartfelt post or Kate and Sophie allowing their emotions to show during a national ceremony, the message is clear: the monarchy is changing, albeit in its own measured way.
As the dust settles on another Remembrance Day, one thing remains certain: the royals, for all their traditions and protocols, are not immune to the currents of change. And if these recent events are any indication, they may be more ready than ever to embrace a new era—one where authenticity and emotion are not just tolerated but quietly celebrated.
