Mr McClean has suffered abuse for the last decade for his decision not to wear the poppy because of the events of Bloody Sunday in his native Co Derry in 1972, when 13 people were shot to death by members of the British army during a civil rights march.
Charlene White has said that she doesn't wear a poppy on air because she doesn't want to favour one charitable cause over any other.
The wearing of poppies in Northern Ireland is controversial. It is seen by many as a political symbol and a symbol of Britishness, representing support for the British Army. The poppy has long been the preserve of the unionist/loyalist community.
However, the poppy represents all conflicts the UK has been involved in – and, says McClean, because “of the history where I come from in Derry [the scene of the Bloody Sunday shootings in 1972], I cannot wear something that represents that”.
However, not everyone chooses to wear a red poppy for many different reasons. Some people feel the red poppy has become too political, and that some politicians have used the powerful feelings it creates to justify war.
It's a matter of personal choice whether someone chooses to wear a poppy and how they choose to wear it. We simply ask that if you do wear a poppy, you wear it with pride.
Traditionally, the Poppy is worn during the Remembrance period, from the last Friday in October to the end of the day on November 11. Poppies may also be worn at other commemorative events throughout the year, during memorials and funeral services for Veterans or Ordinary members.
However, Princess Kate and as Queen Consort Camilla noticeably wore three - but what's the significance behind it? One theory is that the royals wear multiple brooches in honour of family members who have fought and died in wars.
Why do the royals wear multiple poppies? Curiously, it's never been officially confirmed by the palace, but one theory is that the royal family wears multiple poppy brooches in honour of family members who have fought and died at war.
The centre of the poppy was originally black but was changed to green more than twenty years ago to represent the green fields of France. In 2002, it was changed back to black to reflect the actual colours of the poppies that grew in Flanders, Belgium. The poppy is an international "symbol of collective reminiscence."
Poppies are worn as a show of support for the Armed Forces community. The poppy is a well-known and well-established symbol, one that carries a wealth of history and meaning with it. Wearing a poppy is still a very personal choice, reflecting individual experiences and personal memories.
In the United States, however, the tradition has unfolded differently. We don't typically wear poppies on Veterans Day, since that time is set aside to honor all living veterans. Instead, we don a red poppy on Memorial Day to honor the men and women who have died fighting for our country.
The Scottish Poppy
Upon establishing the Lady Haig Poppy Factory in 1926, Lady Haig designed poppy with four petals and no leaf, whereas the version produced in Richmond had two petals and a leaf. This difference remains today.
While the Queen has not commented about her choice to wear a bouquet of poppies, it's thought by some that her five poppies could represent each service in the World Wars: the Army, the RAF, the Navy, the Civil Defence and women.
However, instead of escaping, Poppy suddenly decided to not let us leave yet and sends us deeper into the factory. She explains how she "had so much time to think and reflect" inside the case, and how she wants to "set things right" as she knows that we are capable of doing whatever she needs of us.
The first person to use the poppy as a symbol of remembrance was Moina Michael, a member of the American Overseas YMCA, who had been inspired by Lieutenant-Colonel John McCrae's poem “In Flanders Fields.” Michael pledged “always to wear a red poppy of Flanders Fields as a sign of remembrance and the emblem of 'keeping ...
Even now, the factory employs disabled veterans to produce the wreaths for the Royal Family and the Royal British Legion's annual Poppy Appeal. Since 1924, wearing poppies has been a custom in the U.S. for honoring those who sacrificed their lives for the greater good.
Some theories suggest each poppy stands for a different branch of the military. Others say that it's just easier to see a large clump of flowers than a singular one. And a third theory speculates that she might wear the poppy trio to honor her great-grandmother's three brothers who died during World War I.
Wearing red poppy pins has been a custom since 1921, and the red flower is primarily associated with the UK and Commonwealth countries for Remembrance Day, which is observed on November 11. Scarce heard amid the guns below. In the UK, the Royal British Legion sells poppy pins to raise money for veterans.
So, what's the deal? According to the royal rule book, female members of The Firm must curtsy to the most senior members of the monarchy – currently King Charles and Queen Consort Camilla – whilst their male counterparts must bow their heads.
The call reportedly took place in 1989, when both parties were married to other people. As well as detailing their yearning for each other, it famously included a line in which the former Prince expressed his wish to be a tampon in a bid to be closer to Camilla.
It has been widely speculated that the five poppies represent each service in the war – Army, Navy, RAF, Civil Defence and women.
Wearing a poppy (on the left breast or lapel) is more common in Australia on and around Remembrance Day, 11 November.
The first red poppies to come to Australia, in 1921, were made in France. In Australia, single poppies are not usually worn on ANZAC Day - the poppy belongs to Remembrance Day, 11 November. However, wreaths of poppies are traditionally placed at memorials and honour boards on ANZAC Day.
It's custom to put your poppy on a wreath or community cenotaph after the Remembrance Day ceremony. Those who didn't get the opportunity to do so are asked to either store theirs or dispose of it respectively. This can include recycling them, while treating them as litter is frowned upon.