Prince Harry and Meghan Markle were reportedly denied a request to join the Bidens on Air Force One during their return to the United States following Queen Elizabeth II’s state funeral in September.
The decision to deny their request was made by the White House, who expressed concerns about potentially causing a “commotion.”
In recent years, relations between the Duke and Duchess of Sussex and the British royal family have been under considerable strain, primarily due to their candid interview with Oprah Winfrey in 2021. This tension was further amplified by the death of Queen Elizabeth II on September 8, an event that triggered a series of actions which further distanced Harry and Meghan from the royal family.
Although the couple was in the UK for charitable commitments, they were notably excluded from a pre-funeral reception at Buckingham Palace. The event was attended by other members of the royal family, as well as President Biden and First Lady Jill Biden. At Queen Elizabeth’s funeral in Westminster Abbey, Harry and Meghan were seated in the second row behind the royal family, a symbolic indication of their current standing within the institution.
In an attempt to depart swiftly from the challenging situation, the Sussexes’ staff sought assistance from the White House for a return flight to the US on Air Force One. However, their request was categorically denied. Concerns were raised about potential implications on relations with the Palace and the newly crowned King.
In addition to this, the issue of who would cover the costs of Harry and Meghan’s travel remained unclear. While the President and First Lady have the discretion to invite passengers on Air Force One, the expenses for these trips are generally covered by taxpayer funds during official government visits. However, in the case of private individuals or organizations, they are typically responsible for their own costs.
This rejection is not the first time that Harry and Meghan have faced a setback related to the Bidens. In April 2022, an invitation from the Sussexes for First Lady Jill Biden to attend the Invictus Games in The Hague was turned down. Reportedly, British officials felt uneasy about her presence due to the couple’s declining status within the royal family. In place of the First Lady, Secretary of Transportation Pete Buttigieg and his husband represented the United States at the event.