Prince Harry and Meghan Markle Are Apparently Sent an Invitation to Attend a Palace Reception—Then Find Out They’re Uninvited by Reading Press Reports
What is going on here?
When it comes to the Duke and Duchess of Sussex’s relationship with the royal family, it seems to be a game of one step forward, two steps back.
Yesterday, in what has been described as a “U-turn” decision, King Charles III did allow his younger son Prince Harry to wear his military uniform to honor his grandmother the Queen at a vigil, despite Harry no longer being a working member of the royal family.
But now, this: despite initially being invited to a pre-funeral reception tonight at Buckingham Palace for world leaders and foreign royals (think French President Emmanuel Macron and U.S. President Joe Biden), Harry and Meghan Markle were blindsided and uninvited, according to multiple sources—apparently finding out about their snub in the media, the same way the rest of us found out.
The reason? The old “working royals only” line. The Telegraph reports, per Page Six, “it remained unclear why [Harry and Meghan] were ever invited,” with sources saying the couple “appeared baffled” by the apparent mix-up. The Sussexes were announced as expected guests alongside other senior royals, Us Weekly reports; King Charles III and Camilla, Queen Consort, are the hosts of tonight's event.
“A Palace spokesperson has reiterated this morning that Sunday’s state reception is ‘for working royals only,’” royal expert Omid Scobie tweeted yesterday, per Us Weekly. “No further comment or guidance on why the Sussexes were invited (and now seemingly uninvited).”
Rubbing salt in the wound, Page Six reports that Harry and Meghan found out about their rebuff in the press, with a source telling the outlet “Harry and Meghan actually got the invitation, and no one has actually told them they are uninvited.” A second source added “I’m told they only found out they were uninvited by reading press reports.”
Will the drama ever cease?
Stay In The Know
Select the newsletters you’d like to receive. Then, add your email to sign up.
Rachel Burchfield is a writer, editor, and podcaster whose primary interests are fashion and beauty, society and culture, and, most especially, the British Royal Family and other royal families around the world. She serves as Marie Claire’s Senior Celebrity and Royals Editor and has also contributed to publications like Allure, Cosmopolitan, Elle, Glamour, Harper’s Bazaar, InStyle, People, Vanity Fair, Vogue, and W, among others. Before taking on her current role with Marie Claire, Rachel served as its Weekend Editor and later Royals Editor. She is the cohost of Podcast Royal, a show that was named a top five royal podcast by The New York Times. A voracious reader and lover of books, Rachel also hosts I’d Rather Be Reading, which spotlights the best current nonfiction books hitting the market and interviews the authors of them. Rachel frequently appears as a media commentator, and she or her work has appeared on outlets like NBC’s Today Show, ABC’s Good Morning America, CNN, and more.
-
Hannah and Nick Are Already 'Love is Blind' Season 7's Most Infamous Couple—Thanks to a Giant Duck and List of Red Flags
Fans have a lot of thoughts about the former medical salesperson and football player.
By Quinci LeGardye Published
-
So What If Sabrina Carpenter Wears a Wig?
Her curls are part of her costume, but that doesn't make them inauthentic.
By Halie LeSavage Published
-
King Charles Shows Off His Fun Side While Trying Samoan Dancing
"He's got the moves."
By Kristin Contino Published
-
Prince Harry Meets Up With Another Royal Family During His First Stop in Africa
The Duke of Sussex spent time with some old friends in Lesotho on Oct. 1.
By Kristin Contino Published
-
Royal Expert Says Princess Diana "Would Have Giggled With Delight" at Prince Harry's Choice to Fight Back Against Palace
"Diana would, I'm sure, have been very supportive of the choices Harry has made.”
By Kristin Contino Published
-
Prince Harry Received the Sweetest Gift From a 10-Year-Old Girl to Use “If He Feels Down”
The Duke of Sussex called the present "a lovely gesture."
By Kristin Contino Published
-
Prince Harry Reveals the One Thing His Daughter Princess Lilibet Can't Live Without
"Every parent has a spare. I’ve got at least six spare."
By Amy Mackelden Published
-
Former Prime Minister Boris Johnson Reveals Queen Elizabeth Had "a Form of Bone Cancer" Before Her Death
Johnson shared some insights about the late monarch in his new memoir, 'Unleashed.'
By Kristin Contino Published
-
King Charles Reveals Why Queen Elizabeth “Chose to Spend Her Final Days” at Balmoral Castle
The King said Scotland is a “uniquely special place.”
By Kristin Contino Published
-
Prince Harry Is Heading on a Solo Trip to Africa in October
The duke will work with his charity Sentebale to highlight youth programs in Lesotho and South Africa.
By Kristin Contino Published
-
Prince Harry Shocks Haunted House Employees During Surprise Jimmy Fallon Appearance
Can't blame them.
By Kristin Contino Published