When Prince Harry and Meghan Markle got married on May 19, 2018, there was much speculation about whether any political leaders would be invited to the royal wedding. Ultimately, it was confirmed that no political leaders, including then-U.S. President Donald Trump, were invited to the wedding. A Kensington Palace spokesperson stated that Prince Harry and Meghan Markle decided not to invite any political leaders, neither from the UK nor internationally. This decision was made in consultation with the British Government and was partly due to the limited size of the venue, Windsor Chapel. Despite not receiving an invitation, President Trump wished the couple well and sent them a gift, donating to one of the seven charities the couple had designated in lieu of gifts.
Characteristics | Values |
---|---|
Date of the wedding | 19 May 2018 |
Location of the wedding | St George's Chapel at Windsor Castle |
Number of guests | 2,640 |
Reason for not inviting Trump | Markle called Trump "divisive" and "misogynistic" during his 2016 presidential campaign |
Trump's response | "Not that I know of. I want them to be happy. They look like a lovely couple." |
What You'll Learn
Donald Trump was not invited to Prince Harry's wedding
Donald Trump was not invited to Prince Harry and Meghan Markle's wedding. The couple chose not to invite any political leaders, opting instead for family members, friends, and members of the public.
A Kensington Palace spokesperson confirmed that no official list of political leaders would be required for the wedding, stating:
> "It has been decided that an official list of political leaders – both UK and international – is not required for Prince Harry and Ms. Markle's wedding. Her Majesty's Government was consulted on this decision, which was taken by The Royal Household."
In an interview with Piers Morgan, Trump claimed he was “not aware” of any invitation, saying "not that I know of". Despite this, he wished the couple well, stating, "I want them to be happy, I really want them to be happy. They look like a lovely couple."
Trump's absence from the guest list was likely due to several factors. Firstly, Harry and Markle decided not to invite any political leaders, given Harry's position as only fifth in line to the throne and the smaller venue of Windsor Chapel. Secondly, Markle had been critical of Trump during his 2016 presidential campaign, calling him "divisive" and "misogynistic". Finally, Trump did not have a personal relationship with Harry, unlike Barack Obama, who had formed a friendship with the prince through the Invictus Games.
Despite not receiving an invitation, Trump and his wife, Melania, honoured the couple with a gift. They made a donation to one of the seven charities that Harry and Markle had suggested to guests and well-wishers in lieu of gifts.
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Trump responded that he wanted Harry and Meghan to be happy
Prince Harry and Meghan Markle's wedding was a grand affair, but it did not include Donald Trump and his wife, Melania, on the guest list. The couple decided not to invite any political leaders, both from the UK and overseas, to their wedding. This included British Prime Minister Theresa May, Leader of the Labour Party Jeremy Corbyn, and former US President Barack Obama and his wife, Michelle Obama.
In an interview with Piers Morgan on ITV, Trump was asked if he had received an invitation to the wedding, to which he replied, "not that I know of." Despite not receiving an invitation, Trump responded that he wanted Harry and Meghan to be happy and that they looked like a "lovely couple." He also added that he would be making a donation to one of the seven charities that the royal couple had designated in lieu of gifts.
Trump's response of wanting Harry and Meghan to be happy reflects his well-wishes for the couple, even though he was not invited to the wedding. It is important to note that the decision to not invite political leaders was made by the royal couple and was not a personal snub to Trump. Additionally, it is customary for royals to not invite foreign political leaders to their nuptials, as seen in the example of William and Kate's wedding, where no heads of state were invited.
Trump's relationship with the royal family has been strained due to his comments about Princess Diana and Catherine, the Duchess of Cambridge. Additionally, Meghan Markle, an American actress, was a vocal supporter of Hillary Clinton during the 2016 US election and had referred to Trump as "divisive" and a "misogynist." Despite these differences, Trump's response of wanting the couple to be happy shows a respectful and gracious attitude towards the royal couple.
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Harry and Meghan did not invite any political leaders
Prince Harry and Meghan Markle chose not to invite any political leaders to their wedding. This included UK political leaders such as Prime Minister Theresa May and Leader of the Labour Party Jeremy Corbyn. It also included international political leaders, such as US President Donald Trump.
A Kensington Palace spokesperson confirmed that no political leaders would be in attendance, stating:
> "It has been decided that an official list of political leaders – both UK and international – is not required for Prince Harry and Ms. Markle's wedding. Her Majesty's Government was consulted on this decision, which was taken by The Royal Household."
NBC News correspondent Keir Simmons reported that the decision was Harry's, stating that "people in Harry's circle tell me he is absolutely in charge of everything, that he decides". Simmons also noted that Harry's decision was influenced by the fact that he is further down the line of succession, and that the venue for the wedding, Windsor Chapel, was much smaller than Westminster Abbey, where his brother William had married.
Harry's personal preference also seemed to play a role in the decision. Simmons added that "that, for example, is why there are no politicians, he says so, no politicians here, no President Trump here, no British prime minister here".
Despite the fact that Harry and Meghan's decision may have been influenced by a number of factors, it is clear that the couple did not want their wedding to become a political event. By choosing to exclude all political leaders, they avoided the potential for diplomatic issues and ensured that the focus remained on their celebration of love and commitment.
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The Obamas were also not invited to the wedding
The wedding of Prince Harry and Meghan Markle in 2018 was a highly anticipated event, with much speculation about the guest list. Despite their close friendship with Prince Harry, former US President Barack Obama and First Lady Michelle Obama were notably not invited to the royal wedding. This exclusion was due to diplomatic reasons and the couple's connection to the White House.
The decision to not invite the Obamas was made to avoid potential political overtones and maintain neutrality. Royal biographer Duncan Larcombe stated that the British government likely advised the couple to exclude political leaders, including the Obamas, to avoid causing issues with foreign diplomacy, particularly regarding the "special relationship" between the US and the UK.
The size of the venue, St. George's Chapel at Windsor Castle, which has a smaller capacity than Westminster Abbey, where Prince William and Kate Middleton wed in 2011, also played a role in the decision. Prince Harry and Meghan Markle opted for a more intimate wedding with only those who knew the couple personally.
At the time, a Kensington Palace spokesperson confirmed that there would be no official UK or international political leaders at the wedding. This included UK Prime Minister Theresa May, US President Donald Trump, and the Obamas. The couple decided to invite only those with a personal connection to them, including friends, family, and individuals dedicated to civic action and community service.
While the Obamas were not invited to the wedding, sources close to the couple indicated that they were "very much looking forward to seeing them soon," suggesting a potential meeting between the two couples after the wedding festivities.
The exclusion of the Obamas from the guest list sparked some speculation about potential diplomatic implications, but it is important to note that it is not customary for foreign political leaders to be invited to royal weddings. The focus of the event was on the couple's personal connections rather than political affiliations.
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Harry and Meghan chose to invite people dedicated to civic action
Prince Harry and Meghan Markle did not invite any political leaders to their wedding. Instead, they chose to invite people dedicated to civic action. This included 1,200 people from across the UK who were recognised for their dedication to civic action and community service. The couple share a passion for humanitarianism and wanted to honour those who have served their communities.
Harry and Meghan's wedding took place on 19 May 2018 at St George's Chapel in Windsor Castle. The couple decided not to have an "official list" of political leaders at their wedding, instead opting for a more intimate celebration with family, friends, and public citizens. They also invited 200 people from charities and organisations they support, 100 pupils from local schools, 610 Windsor Castle community members, and 530 members of the Royal Household.
The couple's decision to invite people dedicated to civic action aligns with their commitment to community service and helping others. They have continued to demonstrate this commitment through their charitable foundation, Archewell, which has supported various initiatives such as voter registration and community relief efforts.
Harry and Meghan's wedding was a reflection of their values and character, and by inviting people dedicated to civic action, they sent a powerful message about the importance of community service and humanitarianism.
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Frequently asked questions
No, Donald and Melania Trump were not invited to the wedding.
Prince Harry and Meghan Markle decided not to invite any political leaders to their wedding.
When asked if he would like to attend the wedding, Donald Trump said, "I want them to be happy, I really want them to be happy. They look like a lovely couple."
Yes, despite not being invited, Donald and Melania Trump honoured the couple with a gift. They made a donation to one of the seven charities that Harry and Meghan suggested to guests and well-wishers in lieu of gifts.
No, Barack and Michelle Obama were also not invited to the wedding, despite their friendship with Prince Harry.