Prince Harry and Meghan Markle have not been included in the guest list for King Charles III’s Trooping the Colour celebrations for the second year in a row, as per reports. The event, scheduled for June 15, is an annual commemoration of the official birthday of the British monarch, marked by an elaborate parade of soldiers, horses, and musicians in London.
The Duke and Duchess of Sussex, who withdrew from their royal duties in 2020 and now live in California, have not been invited to the 2024 celebrations. This follows their non-participation in the previous year’s event, which was the first under King Charles’ rule.
In the years 2018 and 2019, the Sussexes were a part of the Trooping the Colour celebrations, attending shortly after their royal wedding and again after the birth of their son, Archie. Their involvement with the royal family has, however, significantly changed since those years.
According to a source who spoke to Entertainment Tonight, the couple’s absence is linked to the ongoing discord with the royal family. This year’s non-invitation is consistent with the strained relations that have prevailed since their royal departure.
King Charles’ choice not to invite his son and daughter-in-law seems to be in line with the precedent set by Queen Elizabeth II during her Platinum Jubilee celebrations last year. Despite attending, the Sussexes were notably missing from the Buckingham Palace balcony, a privilege granted to active members of the royal family.
Prince Harry made a solo trip to London earlier this year for King Charles’ coronation and to testify in a lawsuit against Mirror Group Newspapers. He did not meet with his father or brother during these visits, further highlighting the divide within the royal family.
As King Charles readies for his second Trooping the Colour as monarch, other senior royals such as Prince William, Princess Anne, and Prince Edward are expected to attend. The king plans to resume the tradition of riding horseback during the parade, a practice last seen when Queen Elizabeth II did so in 1986.
The royal family’s balcony appearance will continue to exclude non-active royals. Prince Harry and Meghan are expected to spend the day in California with their children, Archie and Lilibet.
The evolving dynamics between the Sussexes and the British royal family continue to draw public interest, particularly as they remain noticeably absent from significant royal events. With the Trooping the Colour on the horizon, observers will be closely following developments within the Windsor family.
