Meghan Markle shows off her legs in chic shorts as she pays tribute to the British military by wearing a poppy brooch while meeting a friend for lunch and shopping in Montecito
Meghan Markle may have given up her life in Britain, but she still found a moving way to pay tribute to British veterans on Friday when she stepped out with a poppy brooch, which is worn as a show of support for the armed forces.
The 42-year-old wore the brooch as she stepped out for lunch and a quick shopping trip with her model pal Kelly McKee Zajfen in Montecito late last week, making the most of the warm California weather by wearing a pair of chic cargo shorts and a simple pair of black ballerinas.
She paired the shorts with a black sweater, to which she attached her poppy pin, which she wore on the left breast of the garment, a position meant to signify the act of holding fallen veterans close to your heart.
Meghan completed the ensemble with glamorous sunglasses and a thin black belt, and she was seen carrying a large black and white striped bag over one shoulder, while her long brunette locks were pulled back into a casual ponytail.
Meghan Markle may have quit her life in Britain, but she still found a moving way to pay tribute to British veterans as she stepped out with a poppy brooch
The 42-year-old wore the brooch late last week when he stepped out for lunch and a quick shopping trip with a friend in Montecito.
Meghan made the most of the warm California weather by wearing chic cargo shorts and a simple pair of black ballet flats
The women wrapped their arms around each other as they walked down a small staircase outside the Italian eatery where they enjoyed lunch together
The outing took place just one day before Remembrance Day in the UK and Veterans Day in the US, an emotional occasion that both Meghan and Harry marked earlier this week when they met with military veterans and their families at Camp Pendleton in San Diego on Wednesday.
Prince Harry, 39, who was stripped of his honorary military titles when he quit his role as a working royal, and Meghan both wore Royal British Legion poppies for the occasion – as they did the next day when they presented the ribbon to a new gym cutting center for veterans at the location.
But on Friday, Meghan’s husband was nowhere to be seen as she enjoyed a girls’ lunch with Kelly — the co-founder of an organization called Alliance of Moms — who was seen carrying a white paper bag of leftovers as the couple left Montecito eatery Pane . e Vino.
Described as the ‘first authentic Italian restaurant’ in the area, the restaurant serves a range of seasonal daily specials, as well as a selection of handmade pasta dishes, including farfalle with fresh salmon and rigatoni pomodoro.
After their lunch date, the two women headed to the nearby Wendy Foster ‘luxury women’s clothing boutique’, where Meghan has reportedly shopped in the past – as she was only seen there last October.
Meghan appeared to be in good spirits during the outing, beaming from ear to ear as she and her friend made their way to the Duchess’s waiting Range Rover – accompanied by a burly security guard.
The Duchess of Sussex teamed her shorts and jumper combo with a few glam shades, and she carried a black and white striped bag over one shoulder
She wore her poppy brooch on the left breast of her sweater – a position symbolic of keeping those who have passed away close to one’s heart
At one point, Meghan placed her hand on her friend’s back as they left Montecito eatery Pane e Vino, which describes itself as the area’s “first authentic Italian restaurant.”
The Duchess of Sussex was seen smiling and laughing as she and her boyfriend left the restaurant and headed to a nearby luxury clothing boutique
The two women – who were both carrying a brown paper Wendy Foster shopping bag – were seen chatting and laughing with each other, seemingly without a care in the world.
Wendy Foster, a boutique Meghan visited with the same friend in October, sells a range of high-end clothing brands, including AG Jeans and Nili Lotan.
It marked a much more carefree moment for the Duchess, who met with US military veterans earlier this week with her husband, with a statement from their foundation, Archewell, revealing that the couple “spent the morning with veterans and active duty.” members and their loved ones at Camp Pendleton in San Diego, California.
The pair were pictured with about a dozen people at a discussion table learning about the work of Operation Bigs, a mentoring program established in 2004, according to Archewell.
The program connects military children and families with others who have gone through similar experiences.
Developed by Camp Pendleton, it has served more than 3,000 Navy and Marine Corps children over the past nine years, according to Archewell, and has expanded to more than 30 member organizations across the country.
Meghan wore a striking red manicure which she showed off while making gestures as the pair strolled out of the restaurant – while her friend carried a bag of what appeared to be leftovers
The two women then headed to Wendy Foster’s, where they both did some shopping
Meghan was seen wearing her signature jewelry, including a gold Cartier Love bracelet and a diamond pinky ring
The Duchess was seen hugging her friend as they left the restaurant
Harry served in the British Army for 10 years – including two tours of Afghanistan – and has a long personal bond with the military, a bond he has made great efforts to maintain even after leaving royal life.
He and Meghan have spent previous Veterans Days at military sites: in 2021 they were at McGuire Air Force Base in New Jersey and in 2020 they visited a military cemetery in Los Angeles.
After visiting Camp Pendleton, Meghan and Harry then traveled to downtown San Diego to open a new gym for Navy SEALs and veterans injured in combat.
The 20,000-square-foot Warrior Fitness Program West Coast Facility is the second location to open, following the launch of a facility in Virginia Beach in 2017.
The foundation has helped more than 800 active-duty active-duty and experienced SEALs and fighter jet crews – and both locations now have advanced technology, equipment and personnel designed to aid in physical and mental recovery, according to The Times of San Diego.
“We are thrilled to have the Duke and Duchess here,” said Tony Duynstee, a former SEAL speaking on behalf of the SEAL Foundation.
‘It is a great honor for them to be here for the commissioning.’