Poppy Appeal 2020 Will Be a Poignant One for Royals and U.K.

Each year the Royal British Legion’s Poppy Appeal tugs at the heartstrings of U.K. and Commonwealth citizens and royal watchers alike. The charity — which raises money for veterans — takes place in November, leading up to Remembrance Sunday. The poppy was first mentioned in the World War I poem, “In Flanders Fields,” showing up on the Western Front during battle,  and so became “an enduring symbol of remembrance,” according to the Imperial War Museum.

The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge and their children dropped off cupcakes at a care home near their Anmer Hall home on the Queen’s Sandringham estate, the Royal British Legion shared via Twitter today. Exception baking skills, I must say!

The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge and their family have shown their support for our #PoppyAppeal this year by baking these delicious poppy cakes which were delivered to our care home in Norfolk. @KensingtonRoyal pic.twitter.com/ek2UEhxLHY

— Royal British Legion (@PoppyLegion) October 26, 2020

The royal family has always been a major supporter of the poppy appeal, wearing the flower during engagements and attending every memorial on the calendar. Though this year will look different due to COVID-19, there will still be a Festival of Remembrance and Remembrance Sunday, both of which will take place on the second weekend of November.

Both the Festival of Remembrance on Nov 7th and Remembrance Sunday the following day at the Cenotaph in London will be closed to the public for the first time. Members of the royal family, government and armed forces are due attend the latter, as well as other dignitaries. People are encouraged to stand at their doorsteps at 11am for two minutes of silence.

Watch one of the ads for this year’s Poppy Appeal below.