Duchess Fergie Wasn't Invited to Harry and Meghan's Second, Intimate Wedding Reception
Prince Charles specifically chose not to include his ex-sister-in-law.


Update 5/19: Sarah Ferguson has arrived at St. George's Chapel for the royal wedding. Earlier reports stated that the Duchess of York would attend Meghan Markle and Prince Harry's wedding ceremony, but would not be present at the more exclusive evening festivities.
The Duchess of York has arrived - the Mail previously revealed she had been invited to the ceremony but not the evening event. She will be sitting in the Quire, on the opposite stall from her family, who are with the Queen.May 19, 2018
According to a royal reporter, Sarah is seated in the Quire on the opposite side of the royal family who will be sitting with the Queen. The Duchess of York has a notoriously strained relationship with her former in-laws, and Prince Charles, the Prince of Wales, is said to be responsible for the evening invite snub.
Original story 5/7:
Ah, royal wedding drama! Duchess Fergie, a.k.a. Sarah Ferguson, a.k.a. Prince Andrew's ex-wife (yes, ex—they split in 1996 but still remain super close), was reportedly snubbed an invite to Prince Harry and Meghan Markle's second wedding reception on May 19. The evening reception, hosted by Prince Charles, will only include 200 of the royals' closest family and friends.
Prince Andrew is Prince Charles' younger brother, which makes him Prince Harry's uncle and Fergie his (ex) aunt. Fergie's two children, Princess Beatrice and Princess Eugenie, have apparently been invited to the reception. So basically, Fergie's entire immediate family will be in attendance—minus herself. The Duchess of York was not invited to Prince William and Kate Middleton's wedding in 2011, but she will reportedly be present at Harry and Meghan's wedding ceremony and luncheon hosted by the Queen.
A post shared by Duke and Duchess of Cambridge (@dukeandduchessofcambridge)
A photo posted by on
So what's the reason behind the snub? "Numbers are limited to the evening party. She is not a member of the royal family anymore and Prince Charles simply doesn’t have time for her," according to a source from the Daily Mail. "He just can’t see why she is still such a big part of his brother’s life." Ouch.
The private ceremony is set to take place at Frogmore House, the place where Harry and Meghan took their engagement portraits. According to MarieClaire.com's royal wedding expert Caroline Castigliano, this is the part of the special day where Harry and Meghan will "create an atmosphere and style that is true to them."
Stay In The Know
Get exclusive access to fashion and beauty trends, hot-off-the-press celebrity news, and more.
RELATED STORY
Rachel Epstein is a writer, editor, and content strategist based in New York City. Most recently, she was the Managing Editor at Coveteur, where she oversaw the site’s day-to-day editorial operations. Previously, she was an editor at Marie Claire, where she wrote and edited culture, politics, and lifestyle stories ranging from op-eds to profiles to ambitious packages. She also launched and managed the site’s virtual book club, #ReadWithMC. Offline, she’s likely watching a Heat game or finding a new coffee shop.
-
Sofia Richie Grainge Styles Zebra Pants With Flip-Flops
Next stop on the tour: her elegant wedding venue in the South of France.
-
Gigi Hadid Pairs Metallic Track Pants and Mesh Flats
The controversial shoe trend is most definitely gaining steam.
-
Body Language Expert Says Kate Can't "Mask Her Emotions"
"We also saw William...mirroring the same emotions as Kate."
-
Body Language Expert Reveals Kate Middleton Can't "Mask Her Emotions" at Trooping the Colour 2025
"We also saw William...mirroring the same emotions as Kate."
-
Kate Middleton's Trooping the Colour Outfit Features a Special Tribute to Queen Elizabeth II
Catherine made sure the late monarch's presence was felt at the prestigious event.
-
Yes, Prince Louis and Prince George Are Having a Ball at Trooping the Colour 2025
Their matching outfits are simply the icing on the cake.
-
Kate Middleton and Princess Charlotte Showcase Their Mother-Daughter Style at Trooping the Colour 2025
The little princess twinned with her mom in the best way.
-
Kate Middleton Channels Princess Diana in a Catherine Walker Coat Dress at Trooping the Colour 2025
The Princess of Wales even wore the same designer as her late mother-in-law.
-
This Vintage Clip of Kate Middleton Apologizing to Prince William After Beating Him in a Boat Race Is Going Viral on TikTok
"We were sabotaged," Will joked after Kate beat him not once, but twice.
-
The "Cheeky" Joke Prince William Made Referencing a Former Queen at Formal Windsor Castle Event
The Prince of Wales was speaking to 'Bad Sisters' star Anne-Marie Duff at the time.
-
Body Language Expert Reveals Queen Elizabeth "Truly Embraced" Meghan Markle During Rare Joint Appearance as a "Double Act" in 2018
"The fact that the two of them were appearing together...was quite unique."