Ever wondered why does the Queen wear five poppies? We reveal all.
The national service of Remembrance takes place every year on Remembrance Sunday at the Cenotaph in London. Alongside the honourable war veterans and serving members of the Armed Services, are prominent politicians and of course our head of state: Queen Elizabeth II herself. Her Majesty is usually seen paying her respects from a balcony whilst Prince Charles lays a remembrance wreath on her behalf.
In previous years, the Queen has dressed in black wearing her poppies - all five of them - pinned to her coat. But although she follows tradition by wearing the poppies on the left side, many people are wondering why our monarch chooses to wear this particular amount of the symbolic flower.
Why does the Queen wear five poppies?
It is widely speculated that the Queen wears five poppies to represent a different branch of the Armed Forces: Navy, Army, Air Force, Civil Defence and Women's Army Auxiliary Corps.
Though this is the most popular theory, the question as to why the Queen wears five poppies has never been officially confirmed by Buckingham Palace or the Royal Firm.
The Queen is patron of the Royal British Legion charity who runs the annual poppy appeal. And every year, the monarch attends the national Remembrance Sunday service at the Cenotaph.
Both World Wars hold personal significance for Queen Elizabeth II. Her grandfather King George V was on the throne during WW1. Whilst her father King George VI was the monarch during the Second World War.
A then-19-year-old Princess Elizabeth also signed up to work in the Queen Women’s Auxiliary Territory Service during World War 2. She worked as a driver and a mechanic, and was later promoted to the role of Junior Commander. Meanwhile, her late husband Prince Philip served in the Royal Navy.
Why does Kate Middleton wear three poppies?
In last year's Remembrance Sunday service, Kate Middleton wore three poppies. Whilst no justification has been provided it could signal the UK's three military services: Navy, Army and Air Force.
Another theory that has arose is that Kate wears three poppies to honour her great-grandmother's three brothers who died in the First World War.
Kate is not alone in sporting the three poppy look, as Camilla, the Duchess of Cornwall has also worn three poppies previously. Hers were fastened with a silver brooch, whilst Kate fixed hers with a poppy badge pin.
In 2019, Kate wore a different poppy brooch altogether and this held a special tribute to a beloved family member.
Kate's paternal grandmother Valerie Glassborrow worked as one of the code-breakers at Bletchley Park and helped crack the German's enigma code during World War 2. 2019 marked the 75th anniversary of their code-breaking efforts and a special brooch was released to honour and coincide with the occasion.
Where to buy a poppy for Remembrance 2021:
You can buy your poppy online this year via the Royal British Legion's official Poppy Appeal shop.
There are lots of different poppies on offer, from the traditional paper lapel poppies, to car poppies, and even sustainable and long-lasting pin badges if you’d prefer one of those. But of course your poppy doesn’t have to be red. With white poppies and other different colours commonly worn to commemorate other war casualties.
Shop now:
You’ll normally find poppies being sold at train stations, shops and cafes in the lead up to Remembrance Sunday, too. Plus your local high street and other public places.
Supermarkets like Sainsbury’s, Morrisons, Tesco, Asda, and Aldi also tend to have poppies on sale. And it’s common for members of the Armed Forces to be outside these stores with their poppy appeal boxes for customers to get theirs whilst donating to the worthy cause.
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