Prince William and Kate Middleton will not be attending Taylor Swift and Travis Kelce’s wedding, despite the longstanding friendship between the prince and the 14-time Grammy winner.
The royal couple has confirmed they are off the guest list for the ceremony, scheduled for July 3, 2026, over the July 4 weekend at Madison Square Garden in New York City. No reason was given for their absence from the nuptials.
William Had Hinted at an Invite
The decision stands in contrast to comments Prince William made on May 22 during an appearance on Heart Breakfast, the U.K. radio show, alongside hosts Jamie Theakston and Amanda Holden. When the conversation turned to a major summer wedding and the hosts asked if William would be invited, the prince offered a coy response.
“No comment,” William replied with a smile, before adding, “I’m hoping and I’m sure there might be an invitation around, but we’ll see.” But it seems no invitation came to Forest Lodge in Windsor — or if one did arrive, the couple chose not to accept.
During that same Heart Breakfast appearance, William had requested the hosts play Swift’s latest hit song, “Opalite,” and mentioned his children were enthusiasts of the artist. William called the show “amazing” during his Heart.
A Friendship That Goes Back Years
The absence of William and Kate stands out considering the longstanding connection between the prince and the 14-time Grammy winner. Back in 2013, the prince joined Swift and Jon Bon Jovi onstage for a charity performance of “Livin’ on a Prayer” at the Centrepoint Winter Whites Gala at Kensington Palace, showing their relationship went beyond mere formality.
Fast forward to June 2024, when William brought his children George and Charlotte to see Swift perform at Wembley Stadium during her Eras Tour. Swift posted a photo on Instagram featuring William, Prince George, Princess Charlotte, and fiancé Travis Kelce, writing “Happy Bday M8! London shows are off to a splendid start” and tagging the official Instagram account William shares with Kate. The post marked William’s birthday. William also shared a photo from the backstage meetup on the official Prince and Princess of Wales Instagram account, further documenting the friendly connection between the royal family and the singer.
Charlotte Is Particularly Obsessed
During that same Heart Breakfast appearance, William revealed that Princess Charlotte is “particularly obsessed” with Swift and that Prince Louis is also a fan. The doting father’s willingness to discuss his daughter’s devotion to Swift on a morning radio program offered a glimpse into the household dynamics at Windsor, where Swift’s music apparently plays a regular role.
For Charlotte, whose devotion to Swift her father described on live radio, the news that her family will not be attending may be particularly disappointing.
Travel Delays Hit NFL Guests
San Francisco 49ers tight end George Kittle and his wife Claire experienced travel delays at Nashville International Airport on Wednesday, with their flight from Nashville to New York pushed back from 5:30 a.m. to 8 a.m. Thursday morning. Kittle confirmed he and Claire received a wedding invite while at the Tight End University NFL networking camp, which Kelce co-hosts.
Swift gave Kittle a special shoutout during a concert tied to the Tight End University event in Nashville, telling fans “This was a very special request from a very special tight end” and played a song he requested.
As preparations intensify for the wedding, new equipment labeled “Golf” arrived at Madison Square on Wednesday, with the venue starting to resemble an “amusement park” or possible mini-golf setup. Swift was seen leaving Gigi Hadid’s NYC condo as wedding preparations got underway.
No Explanation Offered
It remains unclear whether the decision not to attend was driven by scheduling conflicts, security concerns, or royal protocol regarding private events in the United States. No statement has been issued by Kensington Palace or representatives for William and Kate.
What is clear is that William went on record in May expressing hope that an invitation would come, and now, weeks later, the royal couple will not be present when Swift and Kelce exchange vows. Whether the invitation never materialized or was extended and declined remains unknown. Either way, the Prince and Princess of Wales will be watching the wedding from Windsor rather than from a seat at the ceremony at Madison Square Garden in New York.