For the second year in succession, Prince Harry and Meghan Markle have not been invited to King Charles III’s Trooping the Colour celebrations. This annual event, scheduled for June 15, serves as the official birthday celebration for the British monarch, featuring a grand parade of soldiers, horses, and musicians through the streets of London.
The Duke and Duchess of Sussex, who resigned from their official royal roles in 2020 and currently reside in California, did not receive an invitation to the celebrations this year. This follows their non-inclusion in last year’s event, which marked the first such ceremony under King Charles’ reign.
Prince Harry and Meghan were a part of the Trooping the Colour celebrations in 2018 and 2019, attending the event shortly after their royal wedding and once again after the birth of their son, Archie. However, their engagement with the royal family has significantly changed since.
The absence of the Sussexes from the celebrations is tied to their ongoing disagreements with the royal family. A source informed Entertainment Tonight that the couple were not invited to this year’s ceremony, which aligns with the continued strained relationships since their withdrawal from royal duties.
King Charles’ decision to not invite his son and daughter-in-law aligns with a similar decision made by Queen Elizabeth II during her Platinum Jubilee celebrations the previous year. During that time, the Sussexes were in attendance but were conspicuously absent from the Buckingham Palace balcony, a privilege typically granted to active members of the royal family.
Earlier this year, Prince Harry traveled to London alone for King Charles’ coronation and to provide evidence in a lawsuit against Mirror Group Newspapers. During these trips, he did not engage with his father or brother, further highlighting the ongoing estrangement between him and the royal family.
As King Charles readies to celebrate his second Trooping the Colour as monarch, the occasion will be graced by other senior members of the royal family, including Prince William, Princess Anne, and Prince Edward. The king will revive the tradition of riding horseback during the parade, a practice last observed when Queen Elizabeth II did it in 1986.
The balcony appearance of the royal family will, once again, exclude non-working members of the royal family, emphasizing the family’s division. Prince Harry and Meghan, on the other hand, are anticipated to spend the day in California with their children, Archie and Lilibet.
The evolving situation of the Sussexes’ relationship with the British royal family continues to intrigue the public, as seen by their noticeable absence from important royal events. As the Trooping the Colour approaches, royal enthusiasts will be closely observing the dynamics within the House of Windsor.
