With invitations set to go out this week for the biggest event of the year, rumours are circulating over who has been invited to Prince Harry and Meghan Markle’s wedding, and also, those who will be staying away.
Until May 19th, we will not know who will sit in the aisle of St George’s Chapel at Windsor, although we certainly have a good idea of who won’t be in attendance.
Donald Trump
According to The Mirror, Donald Trump’s name won’t be on the guest list for the wedding of Prince Harry and Meghan Markle.
GAGE SKIDMORE, FLICKR, CC BY-SA 2.0
A source from the Royal Household has said: “Although the guest list hasn’t yet been announced, there is no reason he would be invited.”
By the time of the wedding, Prince Harry will be sixth-in-line to the throne. Therefore, the wedding will be a smaller occasion consisting of family and friends.
Unlike the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge’s wedding in 2011, Heads of State are not expected to attend the ceremony.
Therefore, the lack of an invitation being delivered to the White House is not a snub, and it will be in line with other world leaders.
Sarah, Duchess of York
Sarah Ferguson could only be attending one royal wedding in 2018 – that of her daughter’s, Princess Eugenie, who will marry at Windsor in October.
Alex Groundwater via Flickr CC
Prince Harry’s aunt was left upset in 2011 when she was left off the guest list for William and Catherine’s wedding at Westminster Abbey – and it is possible that history is to repeat itself.
A royal insider told The Sun: “The Duchess of York is not invited to Harry’s wedding. The invites are being sent out this week and she’s not on the list.
“Fergie has been told to keep a low profile before Eugene’s wedding and not to go on talk shows or give interviews about the royal family. She’s not happy about it.”
However, a contradictory report in the Daily Express states that the Duchess will be in attendance under Prince Harry’s insistance.
We won’t know for certain until the big daya arrives.
Barack and Michelle Obama
The former President and First Lady of the United States are unlikely to attend Harry and Meghan’s wedding.
Although they are friends with the Prince, it is believed that they will be left off the guest list to avoid ‘diplomatic tensions’.
The U.S. Army via Flickr CC
Officials in the UK are concerned that if the couple extends an invitation to Obama, but not Trump, then the President would feel snubbed.
When asked on the BBC if he would invite Mr Obama, Harry avoided the question, saying he didn’t want to “ruin that surprise.”
Overseas royalty
In 2011, Prince William and Catherine Middleton invited dozens of royals from overseas, including Willem-Alexander and Máxima of the Netherlands, Prince Albert of Monaco and Grand Duke Henri of Luxembourg.
Prince Harry pictured with Prince Joachim of Denmark (@KENSINGTONROYAL/TWITTER)
However, William and Catherine will one day become King and Queen of the United Kingdom and Commonwealth nations – Harry and Meghan will not.
As such, the wedding will not be a full state occasion, and there is not expected to be any overseas royalty in attendance.
I’ll be shocked if Prince Seeiso of Lesotho isn’t at the wedding. Of course he would be there not because of his Royal title but due to his close relationship with the groom. And let’s not forget that Royal grooms traditionally have supporters and don’t have a best man. The groom in this case is considered the best man at the altar.
For supporter, I think Prince William is the most likely candidate. He can return the favor that Harry performed at his own wedding in 2011.
But the fake news in the U.S. will make it out as if President Trump is being intentionally snubbed. Although I’m sure the National Enquirer will get it right.