Prince Harry and Meghan Markle have reportedly been excluded from a major royal event attended by world leaders, adding to the couple’s growing list of grievances with the royal family. The Duke and Duchess of Sussex were not invited to a gathering of working royals held the night before Queen Elizabeth II’s funeral, an event that left Harry heartbroken, according to reports.
Roya Nikkhah, royal editor of The Sunday Times, Buckingham Palace revealed that Harry and Meghan had initially believed they would be included in the Buckingham Palace meeting. The reception, hosted by King Charles III and Queen Camilla, was attended by foreign heads of state and other members of the royal family. However, Harry and Meghan’s invitations were later revoked, with the Palace clarifying that the event was intended for “working members of the royal family” only.
“The Sussexes also understood that they would be at Buckingham Palace on the eve of the funeral along with the rest of the royal family,” Nikkhah wrote. “They were initially asked to attend the event, but their invitations were later ‘revoked’ and the Palace clarified that the event was only for ‘working members of the royal family.’”
This exclusion has reportedly Harry has been left deeply hurt, particularly in the wake of other recent events that have strained his relationship with the royal family. Author Tom Quinn recently revealed that Harry was devastated after being evicted from Frogmore Cottage, his former home with Meghan in Windsor.
“Harry was absolutely furious and in tears at being evicted from Frogmore; he felt his father had no right to do so and that he was purely vindictive,” Quinn said.
Tensions between Harry and the royal family have been evident in recent months, and this latest snub has only served to exacerbate them. While the Duke and Duchess of Sussex continue to carry out their duties outside the royal circle, tension within the family shows no sign of abating.