Here's your daily reminder to take what anonymous sources say with a pinch of salt.
Sources previously told The Sun that Prince Harry, Meghan Markle, and their two kids Archie and Lilibet had been cordially summoned to the Queen's Scottish retreat, Balmoral Castle, over the summer, but it sounds like said sources were mistaken.
Multiple other sources (presumably, unless the original ones, like, changed their minds?) have now confirmed to Page Six that the Sussexes had not in fact been included on the guest list. Therefore, they will not be popping over to Scotland for some haggis and a spot of whiskey (although you'd better spell it "whisky" if you want to blend in with the locals).
As a reminder, one of The Sun's sources said that "staff have been told to expect the full list of royals, including Harry, Meghan, and their children Archie and Lilibet. They are preparing for the Sussexes. Balmoral is the perfect place for them to spend a little bit of quality time with the Queen."
However, even if they were invited, another source told The Sun, "I would be stunned if they did turn up."
We don't know what happened behind the scenes in reality, and really only an official statement from members of the Royal Family or—barring that—who we see actually turn up at Balmoral can confirm these rumors.
My very unprofessional theory is that, if the Sussexes were invited and refused the invitation, it might have looked kind of embarrassing for the Queen and other senior royals. So perhaps people close to the family think it's best to make it sound like the Sussexes were never welcome in the first place, so the snub is the other way around. I repeat: This is just a theory.
Stay In The Know
Marie Claire email subscribers get intel on fashion and beauty trends, hot-off-the-press celebrity news, and more. Sign up here.
Relations have been tense between the California-based royals and the rest of the family since the Sussexes' royal exit in 2020. The couple made their first official joint appearance together in the U.K. during the Queen's Jubilee celebrations, and were apparently hurt by the welcome they received—which is to say, not a very warm one.
As guests left St. Paul's Cathedral after a Service of Thanksgiving, only Zara Tindall was seen interacting with Harry and Meghan. Although it was reported that the Queen was able to meet baby Lili over the weekend, the Cambridges didn't attend her first birthday party. While they were otherwise engaged and had a good excuse, Prince William is reportedly not in a rush to make up with his younger brother.
Iris Goldsztajn is a London-based journalist, editor and author. She is the morning editor at Marie Claire, and her work has appeared in the likes of InStyle, Cosmopolitan, Bustle and Shape. Iris writes about everything from celebrity news and relationship advice to the pitfalls of diet culture and the joys of exercise. She has many opinions on Harry Styles, and can typically be found eating her body weight in cheap chocolate.
-
Preventative Haircare Is Trending—This Is What You Should Use
Sponsor Content Created With KilgourMD
By Emma Walsh Published
-
Charithra Chandran Wants You to Take Yourself on a Date
The "Bridgerton" star is ditching the dating apps.
By Gabrielle Ulubay Published
-
Kate Hudson Says It was “Very Dramatic” On the ‘Glee’ Set
“… when you’ve got all of those personalities and all that talent and all that youth and a lot of hormones…”
By Danielle Campoamor Published
-
“Extremely Disappointed” Prince Harry Might Be Forced to Miss Attending the 10-Year Celebration of the Invictus Games In Person Next Month
The event, scheduled for May 8 in London, would see Harry return to the U.K. to celebrate an organization so important to him.
By Rachel Burchfield Published
-
Prince Harry Was "Furious and in Tears" Over Frogmore Eviction, Author Claims
It was a difficult time.
By Iris Goldsztajn Published
-
Meghan Markle’s New Podcast with Lemonada Media Is Reportedly Delayed “Until Next Year At the Earliest”
There’s a reason for the holdup.
By Rachel Burchfield Published
-
Melissa McCarthy Defends Meghan Markle From Critics Who Are "Threatened" by Her
McCarthy once starred in the duchess' 40th birthday video.
By Iris Goldsztajn Published
-
Will Prince Archie and Princess Lilibet Appear in Prince Harry and Meghan Markle’s Two New Netflix Series?
Filming for both shows—about polo and cookery—began this month.
By Rachel Burchfield Published
-
Prince Harry Has Changed His Official Residence to the U.S.
Don't make it mean more than it does, k?
By Iris Goldsztajn Published
-
Yes, That’s Meghan Markle’s Calligraphy on American Riviera Orchard’s Logo
Everything having to do with the lifestyle brand seems personal to the Duchess of Sussex.
By Rachel Burchfield Published
-
Meghan Markle’s New Netflix Cookery Show Begins Filming Today—But Not Where You’d Expect It to Be Shot
The Sussexes are having a busy week this week, shooting both of their his-and-her Netflix shows and rolling out the first product offering for Meghan’s new lifestyle brand American Riviera Orchard.
By Rachel Burchfield Published