Obama's Markle Wedding Invite: Yes Or No?

In the lead-up to the royal wedding of Prince Harry and Meghan Markle, there was much speculation about whether former US President Barack Obama and First Lady Michelle Obama would be invited. The couple had a close friendship, and it was thought that Harry might extend an invitation. However, it was later confirmed by Kensington Palace that the Obamas would not be in attendance, along with other political leaders from the UK and overseas.

Barack Obama was not invited to Prince Harry and Meghan Markle's wedding

Barack Obama did not receive an invitation to the wedding of Prince Harry and Meghan Markle. A Kensington Palace spokesperson confirmed that no political leaders would be present at the wedding, neither from the UK nor overseas. This included Barack Obama, as well as President Donald Trump, and British Prime Minister Theresa May.

A Close Friendship

Despite a close friendship between the former US President and Prince Harry, the couple decided not to invite any political leaders. Obama and Harry had a genuine friendship, with the pair photographed together at the 2017 Invictus Games. Harry also attended the first Obama Foundation Summit, and Obama sent congratulations via Twitter when the couple got engaged.

Diplomatic Reasons

Royal biographer Duncan Larcombe stated that political leaders were excluded for diplomatic reasons. He added that the British royal family has historically remained politically neutral, and that the Foreign Office advises inviting foreign royals, dignitaries, and diplomats to royal weddings. The size of the venue was also a factor, with St. George's Chapel having a maximum capacity of 900 guests.

Precedent

The Obamas were also not invited to the wedding of Prince William and Kate Middleton in 2011. The Daily Mail reported that their attendance would have required additional security, and it's possible this was a consideration for Prince Harry and Meghan Markle's wedding as well.

The Obamas were not invited due to their connection to the White House

The Obamas were notably absent from the guest list for the wedding of Prince Harry and Meghan Markle. Despite the close friendship between the former president and the prince, Barack and Michelle Obama were not invited to the royal wedding.

A Kensington Palace spokesperson confirmed that no political leaders, either from the UK or abroad, would be in attendance, including the Obamas. This decision was made by the Royal Household, in consultation with the UK government.

The reason for the Obamas' exclusion can be attributed to their connection to the White House. As former occupants of the White House, the Obamas held high-profile political positions, with Barack Obama serving as President of the United States and Michelle Obama as First Lady. Their presence at the wedding could have introduced political overtones, which the British royal family has traditionally sought to avoid.

Additionally, the added security costs and complexities associated with protecting a former president and first lady may have been a contributing factor, similar to the situation during Prince William and Kate Middleton's wedding in 2011.

It is important to note that the decision to exclude political leaders was not personal, and sources indicated that Prince Harry and Meghan Markle looked forward to meeting with the Obamas soon after the wedding.

No political leaders were invited to the wedding

The decision not to invite political leaders was made by the Royal Household, in consultation with the UK government. This was in line with advice from the Foreign Office, which typically recommends that foreign royals, dignitaries, and diplomats are invited to royal weddings. However, no heads of state were invited to Prince William and Kate Middleton's wedding in 2011, and it was expected that Meghan and Harry would follow a similar blueprint.

The size of the venue, St. George's Chapel at Windsor Castle, with a maximum capacity of 900 guests, may have also been a factor in the decision not to invite political leaders. The couple chose to invite only 600 people to the wedding, opting for a smaller, more exclusive guest list of close friends and family.

The exclusion of political leaders from the wedding may also have been a diplomatic decision to maintain political neutrality and avoid any potential protests or embarrassment. There were concerns that inviting a controversial figure like President Trump could spark protests, as he was not a fan of Meghan Markle, and her presence in the UK was considered a "working trip" rather than a state visit.

In conclusion, the decision not to invite any political leaders, including the Obamas, to the wedding of Meghan Markle and Prince Harry was a deliberate choice made by the couple and the Royal Household, taking into account various factors such as venue size, diplomatic relations, and the desire to maintain political neutrality.

The Trumps were also not invited to the wedding

Trump's absence from the guest list was not surprising, as the couple chose not to invite political leaders to their wedding. A Kensington Palace spokesperson said, "It has been decided that an official list of political leaders—both U.K. and international—is not required for Prince Harry and Ms. Markle's wedding." This decision was made in consultation with the Royal Household and Her Majesty's Government.

The decision to exclude political leaders was likely influenced by the size of the venue, Windsor Chapel, which has a smaller capacity than Westminster Abbey, where Prince William and Kate Middleton held their wedding in 2011. Additionally, Prince Harry is only fifth in line to the throne, so there was less pressure to invite heads of state.

It is worth noting that Meghan Markle had previously expressed her dislike of Trump and his "divisive" and "misogynistic" rhetoric during the 2016 presidential campaign. She had even threatened to move out of the United States if he was elected. Given these factors, it is understandable that the Trumps were not included in the exclusive guest list for the royal wedding.

The Obamas were not invited to Prince William and Kate Middleton's wedding

There were several reasons speculated for the Obamas' absence from the wedding. One source claimed that Prince William personally told wedding planners to strike the Obamas from the guest list because he did not want Michelle Obama to try and upstage Kate Middleton on her wedding day. Another reason given was the added security costs that would be incurred by the Obamas' presence.

The decision not to invite the Obamas sparked some controversy, with some claiming that the Royal Family "snubbed" the Obamas. However, it is important to note that it is rare for American presidents to attend royal weddings, even when they are invited. For example, President Truman, President Eisenhower, President Nixon, and President Clinton did not attend various royal weddings over the years.

In contrast, the Obamas were also not invited to the wedding of Prince Harry and Meghan Markle, which took place in 2018. This was reportedly due to diplomatic reasons and the desire to avoid political overtones at the event. Despite the close friendship between Prince Harry and Barack Obama, the couple ultimately chose to follow the Foreign Office's advice and exclude political leaders from the guest list.

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