The annual celebration of the British monarch’s birthday, Trooping the Colour, is fast approaching, but one notable absence will be Prince Harry and Meghan Markle. Experts argue that this exclusion might be for the best considering recent events.
According to a report from People magazine on Thursday, the Duke and Duchess of Sussex have not received an invitation to the event, which will take place on Saturday. This year’s Trooping the Colour holds significance as it occurs during the reign of Harry’s father, King Charles III.
When approached for comments, representatives for the Duke and Duchess of Sussex, as well as Buckingham Palace, did not provide an immediate response to Fox News Digital. The silence from their offices was deafening.
Christopher Andersen, author of “The King,” shared his thoughts on the matter, stating, “Now that they are no longer working royals, neither Harry nor Meghan – nor Prince Andrew, for that matter – are welcome on the Buckingham Palace balcony. Harry isn’t about to show up just so he can be humiliated one more time. What’s the point of that?”
Andersen also mentioned that King Charles will surround himself with individuals he trusts to handle the responsibilities of the monarchy. This select group includes Queen Camilla, Princess Anne, Prince Edward and his wife, Sophie, as well as the real stars of the show these days, Prince William, Kate Middleton, and their three children. Andersen added, “I think there will be a lot of gasps when the kids step out, and people see just how much Prince George, Princess Charlotte, and Prince Louis have grown.”
The absence of Prince Archie and Princess Lilibet, their cousins, will undoubtedly be felt during the event. Andersen continued, “But by not even inviting the Sussexes to attend one of the most important events on the royal calendar – and, in this case, particularly important because it is to salute the new monarch – Charles has once again made it clear that he is not particularly eager to mend fences with his younger son.”
Members of the royal family will gather for this special occasion. In 2022’s Trooping the Colour, the Sussexes made a brief appearance as non-working royals. They were spotted watching from a room above Horse Guards Parade, along with other members of the royal family, during the event, which also happened to be the late Queen Elizabeth’s final appearance before her passing on September 8.
Andersen expressed how painful it must have been for Harry to not be included in his grandmother’s last appearance on the balcony, an experience he had cherished throughout his life.
Having stepped back as senior royal members in 2020, the couple currently resides in California with their two young children.
Royal expert Richard Fitzwilliams noted that inviting the couple was unnecessary, especially after their explosive revelations. In 2021, they participated in a two-hour TV interview with Oprah Winfrey, followed by the launch of a six-part Netflix series about their life together in late 2022. Furthermore, Harry released his best-selling memoir “Spare” in January.
Last week, Harry found himself back at London’s High Court. The 38-year-old is engaged in a legal battle against the publisher of the Daily Mirror, accusing them of employing unlawful techniques to obtain front-page scoops on his life. This case is the first among several lawsuits the prince has filed against the media and is the only one currently going to trial. He has accused three publishers of unlawfully snooping on him and creating stories about the royal family.
It is believed that Harry stayed at Frogmore Cottage, the couple’s former residence in the UK. In March, their spokesperson confirmed that they were asked to vacate the premises.
Fitzwilliams commented, “The reports that Harry was not invited to Trooping the Colour make total sense. His estrangement from his family seems complete. The Sussexes have, as the palace sees it, gone rogue. The Sussexes attended last year, but only because it was one of the celebrations of the queen’s Platinum Jubilee, and their presence was hardly noticeable. The rift has been emphasized by a series of recent attacks, including those in Harry’s memoir ‘Spare’ and the subsequent interviews. Harry’s brief appearance at the coronation also highlighted the division.” Harry attended his father’s coronation on May 6 but departed for the States shortly after the ceremony, covering a distance of over 5,400 miles in an 11-hour nonstop flight. It is believed that he made it back to California in time for his son’s fourth birthday.
The Duke and Duchess of Sussex were last seen together with the rest of the royal family at the queen’s state funeral.
This year’s parade will showcase hundreds of troops from the British Army, among them Prince Harry, a decorated veteran who served two tours in Afghanistan during his ten-year military career. The Royal Air Force will also conduct a flyby.
Kinsey Schofield, host of the “To Di For Daily” podcast, shared her understanding of the situation: “It is my understanding that Harry’s presence at Trooping the Colour would be an unnecessary distraction and would make certain members of the royal family uncomfortable. I think it’s okay for him to sit this one out. The last time he attended with his wife, they felt so excluded that they decided not to participate in all the queen’s Platinum Jubilee events they were invited to.”
She continued, “When it comes to the royal family, Harry is now considered a civilian, and we will only see him included in a formal way for funerals. Harry’s presence is not necessary and, quite frankly, not necessarily encouraged while he continues down his destructive path.”
Hilary Fordwich, a British royals expert, added, “Most recently, he went head-to-head in court with Mirror Group, and through his testimony, he shed light on royal life and the royal family’s relationship with the media. I’m sure that left many members of his family frustrated. Although Harry was present for courtroom testimony, he did not bother to try to meet with Prince William, who lives within walking distance of where Harry was staying.”
“Harry is not an integral part of anything they do today nor tomorrow,” chimed in British royals expert Helena Chard.
Helena Chard, a royal photographer and royal broadcaster, expressed her opinion that despite not receiving an invitation, Harry should make an effort to return to the fold for the sake of his father.
“While Prince Harry is no longer a working royal, he still ranks fifth in line to the throne and, of course, he should make an effort to attend this iconic occasion,” she stated. “If he can travel back and forth to the UK for a court battle with British tabloids, he can surely show his face at Trooping the Colour.”
Chard acknowledged that certain royals might be furious with Harry, and he may be apprehensive about the reception he will receive.
As for Meghan Markle, 41, she has also maintained a low profile. In May, a spokesperson for the couple revealed that they had been pursued by photographers in a “near catastrophic car chase” through the streets of New York City. The Duke and Duchess, accompanied by Markle’s mother, Doria Ragland, were in Manhattan for the Ms. Foundation Awards.
Photographers involved in the incident confirmed that they followed the couple for miles over an extended period but described it as a low-speed affair. A photo agency later claimed that it was Harry and Meghan’s security guards who acted recklessly.
New York City Mayor Eric Adams condemned the paparazzi’s actions as “reckless and irresponsible.” The police stated that the pursuit was relatively short and did not result in any injuries, accidents, or arrests, and therefore did not warrant further investigation. The taxi driver who drove them from the police station stated that he instantly recognized his passengers and that the paparazzi “were following us the whole time,” although he stopped short of calling it a chase.
According to People magazine, the couple will likely spend Saturday at their home in Montecito, California, with their children.
In conclusion, Prince Harry and Meghan Markle won’t be attending Trooping the Colour, and their absence is seen by many royal experts as a preferable outcome. The event marks the first time it will occur during the reign of Harry’s father, King Charles III. The decision not to invite the Sussexes underscores the ongoing rift between Harry and his family. Despite his decorated military career, Harry’s presence is viewed as unnecessary and potentially disruptive. While Harry’s estrangement from the royal family seems complete, there is still hope among some experts that he will make an effort to reconcile with his father. Meanwhile, Meghan Markle has kept a low profile, with the couple choosing to spend their time in California. The couple’s exclusion from Trooping the Colour highlights the strained relationship between the Sussexes and the royal family, which has been exacerbated by their recent public appearances and interviews.