The society wedding of the year is less than three weeks away, but I hear that King Charles and Queen Camilla have yet to RSVP.
And the delay has sparked feverish speculation among friends and family of the Duke of Westminster, Hugh Grosvenor, and his future wife, Olivia Henson.
“Their Majesties have not forgotten what happened at Hugh’s sister’s wedding,” a source tells me. “There is still a lot of tension.”
The King and Queen chose to decline their invitations to the 2004 wedding of the duke’s sister, Lady Tamara Grosvenor, and Edward van Cutsem, a godson of Her Majesty. It was held at the same venue as the Duke’s wedding next month – Chester Cathedral.
Camilla Parker Bowles, as she was then, had been told that she would not be allowed to sit with Prince Charles and would instead be seated several rows back and forced to arrive separately. This was because Queen Elizabeth and Prince Philip attended the ceremony, along with Princes William and Harry.
The society wedding of the year is less than three weeks away, but I hear that King Charles and Queen Camilla have yet to RSVP.
The Duke of Westminster, Hugh Grosvenor, and his future wife, Olivia Henson. The King and Queen’s delay has sparked feverish speculation among friends and family. “Their Majesties have not forgotten what happened at Hugh’s sister’s wedding,” a source tells me. “There is still a lot of tension.”
Harry and Meghan have already been excluded from next month’s wedding, even though Hugh, who is worth an estimated £10bn, is reportedly godfather to their son Prince Archie. It is believed that Hugh felt the Sussexes’ appearance could cause tensions with the Royal Family.
According to royal author Sarah Bradford, Camilla was so enraged that she told Charles that the status quo was no longer acceptable. Her own engagement was announced three months later.
“His Majesty is strict with protocol,” a courtier then explained. “It would be inappropriate for Mrs Parker Bowles to sit next to Prince Charles as she has no official status.”
Tensions rose with reports that Emilie van Cutsem, the groom’s mother, and Camilla had fallen out after each allegedly criticized the behavior of the other’s children.
Charles finally excused himself from the event just days before, saying he had to visit Warminster Barracks to meet the families of soldiers serving in Iraq. Camilla was described as “otherwise engaged.”
According to royal author Sarah Bradford, Camilla was so enraged that she told Charles that the status quo was no longer acceptable. Her own engagement was announced three months later.
The Duke and Duchess of Sussex have already been excluded from next month’s wedding, even though Hugh, who is worth an estimated £10bn, is reportedly godfather to their son Prince Archie.
It is believed that Hugh felt the Sussexes’ appearance could cause tensions with the Royal Family. Harry was said to have been mistakenly sent a ‘save the date’ email.
Chester Cathedral, where the Duke’s wedding will take place next month
It is believed that Hugh felt the Sussexes’ appearance could cause tensions with the Royal Family. Harry was reportedly mistakenly sent a ‘save the date’ email
The Prince and Princess of Wales and their eldest son, Prince George, Hugh’s godson, are invited to the wedding. However, Catherine is not expected to attend because she is undergoing cancer treatment.
However, sources “close” to the Sussexes later said: “Harry called Hugh and told him it would be too awkward if he and Meghan Markle attended, so he apologized and Hugh understood.”
The Prince and Princess of Wales and their eldest son, Prince George, Hugh’s godson, are invited to the wedding. However, Catherine is not expected to attend because she is undergoing cancer treatment.
A Buckingham Palace spokesman declined to comment. The spokesperson for the Duke of Westminster is equally silent.
