Uninvited To The Royal Wedding: What Could Have Been?

Prince Harry and Meghan Markle's wedding was a highly anticipated event, with much speculation around the guest list. The couple chose not to invite an official list of political leaders, including UK Prime Minister Theresa May and US President Donald Trump. This decision was a departure from recent royal weddings, where political figures and foreign royalty were often in attendance. Instead, the couple opted for a more intimate celebration with 600 guests they had a direct relationship with. The wedding, which took place on 19 May 2018 at St George's Chapel in Windsor Castle, was a star-studded affair with a mix of A-list celebrities, the Royal Family, and friends.

Political leaders

Prince Harry and Meghan Markle's wedding ceremony on 19 May 2018 notably excluded political leaders from its guest list. This included UK Prime Minister Theresa May, US President Donald Trump, and former US President Barack Obama.

A Kensington Palace spokesperson confirmed that "an official list of political leaders – both UK and international – is not required" for the wedding. This decision was made by the Royal Household in consultation with Her Majesty's Government.

The couple's choice to exclude political leaders was likely influenced by the limited space inside St George's Chapel and Harry's position as not being the direct heir to the throne. Instead, they opted to invite 600 guests with whom they shared a direct relationship.

The absence of political leaders at the wedding, particularly the US President, marked a departure from recent royal weddings. At Prince William and Catherine Middleton's wedding, then-Prime Minister David Cameron and several other political figures were in attendance.

Despite Harry and Meghan's wedding being a significant national occasion, their guest list reflected Harry's position in the line of succession and their desire to celebrate with those closest to them.

Celebrities

The wedding of Meghan Markle and Prince Harry was a highly anticipated event, with much speculation about the guest list. While the ceremony was expected to be a star-studded affair, several celebrities and public figures were notably absent from the guest list.

One notable absence was the cast of Meghan Markle's TV show, *Suits*. Despite flying into London to support Markle, they were reportedly not invited to the post-wedding reception hosted by Prince Charles at Frogmore House. Similarly, Sarah "Fergie" Ferguson attended the wedding ceremony but was not invited to the private reception. Other celebrities who were reportedly not invited to the wedding include Ed Sheeran, most of the Spice Girls (except Victoria Beckham), Cara Delevingne, Margot Robbie, Suki Waterhouse, Taylor Swift, and Rod Stewart.

In addition to celebrities, several political figures were also not invited to the royal wedding. This included UK Prime Minister Theresa May, US President Donald Trump, and former US President Barack Obama. A Kensington Palace spokesperson confirmed that an official list of political leaders, both UK and international, was not required for the wedding. This decision was made by the Royal Household in consultation with Her Majesty's Government.

The Suits cast

The cast of Suits, the TV show that shot Meghan Markle to fame, flew into London to support her at her wedding. However, according to Us Weekly, they were not invited to the post-wedding reception hosted by Prince Charles at Frogmore House, which only had 200 guests. A source told the publication that the "afternoon reception is for Meghan and Harry's old circle and the evening establishes their new circle".

It is unclear whether any members of the Suits cast were invited to the wedding ceremony itself, which took place at St George's Chapel in Windsor Castle. However, given that the wedding had 600 guests, all of whom had a direct relationship with the couple, it seems unlikely that the cast was present.

This is perhaps not surprising, given that Markle reportedly did not invite some of her other close friends to the wedding. Millie Mackintosh, who was rumoured to be a potential bridesmaid, watched the wedding from home. Similarly, Margot Robbie, who has been reported to text with Prince Harry, did not snag an invite to the royal's wedding.

Evening reception guests

Prince Harry and Meghan Markle's wedding ceremony was a star-studded affair, with a mix of celebrities, the Royal Family, and friends in attendance. However, the couple chose to limit the guest list for their evening reception, only inviting those with whom they shared a close relationship.

The Suits cast, including Meghan Markle's colleagues, flew into London to support her at the wedding ceremony. However, they were not invited to the evening reception, as the event was reserved for the couple's "old circle" and to establish their "new circle".

Sarah "Fergie" Ferguson, the Duchess of York, attended the wedding ceremony but was notably absent from the private evening reception hosted by Prince Charles at Frogmore House. Similarly, Prince Harry's ex-girlfriend, Chelsy Davy, was invited to the wedding ceremony, but her invitation did not extend to the evening reception, where only the couple's close family and friends were present.

Other notable guests who were not invited to the evening reception include Kate's sister, Pippa Middleton, and her husband, James Matthews. This was particularly noteworthy, as Prince Harry had previously attended Pippa's wedding reception with Meghan Markle as his guest.

The couple's decision to limit the guest list for the evening reception reflects their desire for an intimate celebration with their closest loved ones.

Foreign royalty

At the wedding of Prince William and Catherine Middleton, then-prime minister David Cameron attended, along with a slew of other political figures and foreign royalty. Similarly, at the wedding of Prince Harry's parents, Prince Charles and Lady Diana Spencer, US first lady Nancy Reagan was among the dignitaries in attendance, while President Ronald Reagan sent his regrets due to a conflicting economic summit.

The decision to exclude political leaders from the guest list for Prince Harry and Meghan Markle's wedding was framed by some in the British press as a diplomatic way to avoid inviting President Trump without causing a diplomatic incident. Markle, an American actress and humanitarian, had previously called Trump "divisive" and "misogynistic," and Prince Harry enjoys a well-documented friendship with former US President Barack Obama. Inviting the Obamas but not the Trumps would have been seen as a snub.

Ultimately, the couple opted to focus their guest list on those with whom they shared a close relationship, creating an intimate and meaningful celebration.

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