Meghan Markle and Prince Harry cancelled from one more royal event
Meghan Markle and Prince Harry will not be attending the upcoming high-profile wedding of Hugh Grosvenor, the Duke of Westminster, and Olivia Henson in the United Kingdom this June. Despite Grosvenor’s close ties with both Prince Harry, aged 39, and his brother Prince William, aged 41, the Duke and Duchess of Sussex have not been extended an invitation to the event.
In a statement to People, The wedding, set to take place at Chester Cathedral in northwest England on June 7, is expected to be one of the year’s most notable societal events. Grosvenor, one of Britain’s wealthiest individuals, has remained discreet about the guest list, with his spokeswoman telling People magazine that they are not in a position to comment on it.
The Sunday Times reports that Prince William and Kate Middleton, along with King Charles and Queen Camilla, are among the guests scheduled to attend. Grosvenor, who is also the godparent of Prince William and Kate’s son, Prince George, reportedly chose not to invite Harry and Meghan to prevent any potential family conflicts, given the ongoing rift between the royal brothers.
Grosvenor’s connections with the royal family are deep-rooted. He is not only the godson of 75-year-old Charles but also Prince William’s godmother is his mother. Additionally, he is rumored to be one of the godparents of Prince Archie, Harry and Meghan’s son.
The relationship between the Grosvenor family and the royal brothers has a long history. Both William and Harry served as ushers at the 2004 wedding of Lady Tamara Grosvenor, Hugh’s sister, to British banker Edward van Cutsem.
A friend of both princes, speaking anonymously to The Sunday Times, expressed sorrow over the current state of affairs. They noted that Grosvenor is a rare mutual friend who has managed to maintain strong connections with both William and Harry. The friend revealed Grosvenor’s hope for a reconciliation between the brothers but acknowledged its unlikelihood before the wedding. The decision to not invite Harry and Meghan was made to avoid any potential overshadowing of the occasion or creating awkwardness, especially for Olivia.