Royal Wedding Guest List: Trump's Presence Confirmed?

President Donald Trump and his wife Melania were not invited to Prince Harry and Meghan Markle's wedding. A Kensington Palace spokesperson confirmed that no political leaders were invited to the wedding, neither from the UK nor internationally. This was likely due to diplomatic concerns, as well as the fact that Trump did not have a personal relationship with Harry. Trump also has a history of making controversial comments about the royal family. Despite not receiving an invitation, Trump sent the couple a gift and wished them well.

Trump's absence at the wedding was likely due to diplomatic reasons

The absence of Trump, as well as other political leaders, ensured that the wedding remained a personal affair for the couple. Prince Harry and Meghan Markle had the freedom to invite their personal friends and those they felt close to, without the constraints of political obligations. This decision also avoided any potential issues that could have arisen from inviting some political leaders while excluding others.

One of the main diplomatic concerns was the potential reaction of Trump to the presence of the Obamas. Barack Obama, as a former US President, had a close relationship with Prince Harry, particularly through the Invictus Games. However, inviting the Obamas while excluding Trump could have caused tension and potentially damaged the "special relationship" between the US and the UK.

In addition, there were other factors that may have influenced the decision not to invite Trump. Firstly, Prince Harry and Meghan Markle had no personal relationship with Trump, as they had never met in person. Secondly, Trump had made controversial comments about Princess Diana and the Duchess of Cambridge, which may not have been well-received by the royal family. Moreover, Meghan Markle, as an American citizen, had publicly criticized Trump during his presidential campaign, calling him ""divisive" and "misogynistic".

While Trump's absence from the wedding may have been a diplomatic decision, it is important to note that it is not uncommon for royals to exclude foreign political leaders from their weddings. Ultimately, the wedding of Prince Harry and Meghan Markle was a personal celebration, and the absence of political leaders, including Trump, allowed the couple to surround themselves with their chosen loved ones.

Trump's lewd comments about Princess Diana may have influenced the decision

In 2018, Donald Trump was not invited to the wedding of Prince Harry and Meghan Markle. While the couple's decision not to invite political leaders to their wedding was framed as a diplomatic issue, Trump's lewd comments about Princess Diana may also have influenced the snub.

In the years before her death, Trump aggressively pursued Diana, sending her large bouquets of flowers and causing her concern. In an interview with Howard Stern, Trump said he could have "nailed" the Princess of Wales, but only if she passed an HIV test. He also said he would have taken her to his Lexus for "a little check-up".

Trump's comments were made in 1997, just months after Diana's death, and were repeated in 2000. In the interview, he also raved about Diana's beauty, saying:

> "She was actually really beautiful. I thought she was supermodel beautiful. She had times when she didn’t look great and she had times when she looked better than anyone in the world."

Trump's remarks are likely to have caused upset and anger among Diana's sons, Prince William and Harry, and may have been a factor in the decision not to invite him to Harry's wedding.

Trump's complicated history with the royal family

Donald Trump's history with the British royal family is a chequered one. The former US president was not invited to the wedding of Prince Harry and Meghan Markle in 2018, and this may have been due to his complicated relationship with the royal family.

Trump had made lewd comments about Harry's mother, Princess Diana, in the past. In an interview with Howard Stern in 2000, Trump said he ""would have slept with her" and even "without even hesitation". He also suggested he would have had sex with Prince Charles' ex-wife, but only after she had taken an HIV test. These comments were made just days after Princess Diana was killed in a car crash in 1997.

Trump had also made unsavoury comments about Harry's sister-in-law, the Duchess of Cambridge. In 2011, he tweeted that she was "only herself to blame" after pictures of her sunbathing topless were published in a French tabloid.

Markle, an American, was a vocal supporter of Hillary Clinton during the 2016 election campaign and had publicly dismissed Trump's rhetoric, calling him "divisive" and "misogynistic".

Harry and Meghan's wedding was not the first time Trump had been snubbed by the royal family. In 2018, Queen Elizabeth reportedly found Trump to be "very rude".

Despite not receiving an invitation to the wedding, Trump said he wanted Harry and Meghan "to be happy". The White House also announced that the Trumps would be making a charitable donation to one of the seven charities the royal couple had designated in lieu of gifts.

No political leaders were invited to the wedding

The decision to exclude political leaders was likely influenced by diplomatic concerns. There were concerns that inviting former US President Barack Obama, with whom Harry has a close relationship, would cause offence to President Trump. In addition, Harry's soon-to-be wife, Meghan Markle, had publicly criticised Trump, calling him "divisive" and "misogynistic". Trump had also made lewd comments about Harry's late mother, Princess Diana, and his sister-in-law, the Duchess of Cambridge.

The decision to exclude political leaders allowed Harry and Meghan to have a more intimate affair. The wedding took place at Windsor Castle on May 19, 2018, with 600 guests in attendance, including young people who had shown strong leadership and those who had served their communities.

Despite not being invited, President Trump and First Lady Melania Trump sent a gift to the couple, donating to one of the seven charities that Harry and Meghan had suggested in lieu of gifts.

Trump had not met Harry in person

It is highly unlikely that Donald Trump received an invitation to Prince Harry and Meghan Markle's wedding. A Kensington Palace spokesman confirmed that no political leaders, including Trump, were invited. The spokesman said:

> "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."

Trump himself seemed to confirm that he had not been invited when he responded "not that I know of" when asked by Piers Morgan if he would be attending.

Royal biographer Duncan Larcombe suggested that Trump may not have been invited because he does not have a personal relationship with Harry. He said:

> "Trump should possibly put a little pencil mark in his diary, but not hold his breath... Harry could argue that he's only inviting people he knows."

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