George Boyle
There was much speculation in the media about whether Barack and Michelle Obama would be invited to the wedding of Prince William and Kate Middleton in 2011. The couple did not invite the then-President and First Lady of the United States, despite Michelle Obama's reported interest in attending. This decision caused a stir, with some interpreting it as a snub and others citing diplomatic concerns and the desire to avoid political tensions. The Cambridges greeted the Obamas at Buckingham Palace shortly after their wedding, marking their first royal duty as a married couple and smoothing relations with the US.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Were the Obamas invited to the wedding? | No |
| Reason for not inviting | It was not a state wedding, excluding many heads of state |
| Were the Obamas disappointed? | Yes, especially Michelle Obama |
| Did William and Kate meet the Obamas after their wedding? | Yes, a month after their wedding, it was their first royal duty as a married couple |
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What You'll Learn
The Obamas were not invited to the wedding
The decision not to invite the Obamas was not unprecedented. In 1999, President Clinton and First Lady Hillary Clinton did not attend Prince Edward's wedding to Sophie Rhys-Jones. Similarly, no heads of state were invited to the wedding of Prince William and Kate Middleton. A spokesman for the couple said: "No other heads of state other than those from foreign royal families have been invited to the wedding".
The decision caused some controversy, with some claiming that the Obamas had been snubbed by the British Royals. One commentator suggested that the Obamas were not invited due to the lavish parties at the White House and expensive vacations that cost American taxpayers billions of dollars. However, others refuted this, arguing that there was no evidence that the Royal Family feared Michelle Obama would "upstage" Kate Middleton.
Despite not being invited to the wedding, the Obamas met with William and Kate shortly after their marriage during a visit to the UK. The couples have remained close, with William and Kate inviting the Obamas to their home at Kensington Palace in 2016.
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The decision was not personal
It is well known that former US President Barack Obama and his wife, former First Lady Michelle Obama, did not attend the wedding of Prince William and Kate Middleton in 2011. This was despite the fact that, two months before the wedding, Michelle Obama stated on the US talk show Live With Regis and Kelly Show: "If I get invited, I'll go".
The Obamas' absence from the wedding caused some controversy, with some speculating that the royal couple had chosen not to invite them. However, others suggested that the Obamas were not invited because the wedding was not a state function, and William was not yet a sovereign. In fact, no heads of state were invited to the wedding, and a spokesman for the prince confirmed that "no other heads of state other than those from foreign royal families have been invited to the wedding".
The decision not to invite the Obamas was likely not personal, but rather a result of the type of wedding being held and the desire to avoid any potential political tensions. This is supported by the fact that the Cambridges greeted the Obamas at Buckingham Palace just a month after their wedding, in what was the newlyweds' first royal duty as a married couple and Kate's first as a member of the royal family. The couples have remained close ever since, with the Obamas visiting the Cambridges at Kensington Palace in 2016.
Furthermore, it is not uncommon for political leaders to be excluded from royal weddings. For example, President Clinton and First Lady Hillary Clinton did not attend Prince Edward's wedding to Sophie Rhys-Jones in 1999, nor did British Prime Minister Tony Blair. Additionally, when Prince Harry married Meghan Markle in 2018, no political leaders were invited, including the Obamas.
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William and Kate smoothed things over soon after
It is true that Barack and Michelle Obama were not invited to the wedding of Prince William and Kate Middleton in 2011. This caused a stir, as traditionally, heads of state are invited to royal weddings. However, a spokesman for the prince confirmed that "no other heads of state other than those from foreign royal families" would be in attendance.
Despite this, William and Kate smoothed things over soon after their wedding. Only a month later, they greeted the Obamas at Buckingham Palace at the start of their UK tour. This was the newlyweds' first royal duty as a married couple and Kate's first as a member of the royal family. The act was seen as a gesture of goodwill and the two couples have remained close ever since. William and Kate even invited the Obamas to their home at Kensington Palace in 2016, where Barack met a toddler Prince George in his dressing gown.
The Obamas also met with William and Kate in May 2011, shortly after the royal couple's wedding. This was the Obamas' first meeting with the couple since they had married. However, William and Kate did not stay for lunch with the Obamas at the palace, and they also did not attend the state dinner that evening.
William and Kate's first overseas tour as a married couple was to the US, which further helped to smooth over any potential tensions caused by the wedding snub.
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The Obamas met William and Kate a month after the wedding
The Obamas were not invited to the wedding of Prince William and Kate Middleton. The wedding, which took place on April 29, 2011, was not a state wedding, and no heads of state were invited. This was in keeping with royal tradition, as politicians are rarely invited to royal weddings. For example, President Clinton and first lady Hillary Clinton did not attend Prince Edward's wedding in 1999, and British Prime Minister Tony Blair was also not in attendance.
Despite this, there was speculation in the media that Michelle Obama was disappointed not to receive an invitation. Two months before the wedding, she stated on the US talk show Live With Regis and Kelly Show, "If I get invited, I'll go". However, the Obamas did meet the royal couple a month after their wedding when the former President and First Lady visited the UK. This was the royal couple's first royal duty as a married couple and Kate's first as a member of the royal family. The meeting was described as a "brief" one and the newlyweds did not stay for lunch with the Obamas.
The Cambridges also chose to visit the United States on their first overseas trip as a married couple, which was seen as a gesture of goodwill after the Obamas were not invited to the wedding. William and Kate have remained close with the Obamas ever since, inviting them to their home at Kensington Palace in 2016.
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William and Kate have remained close with the Obamas
Prince William and Kate Middleton did not invite then-President Barack Obama and First Lady Michelle Obama to their wedding in 2011. This was despite Michelle's best attempts, as she told US TV programme 'Live With Regis and Kelly Show' two months before the wedding that "if I get invited, I'll go".
However, shortly after their wedding, William and Kate greeted the Obamas at Buckingham Palace to start their UK tour, marking their first royal duty as a married couple and Kate's first as a member of the royal family. William and Kate have remained close with the Obamas ever since, with the former President and First Lady visiting their home at Kensington Palace in 2016. The couples also shared \"very warm words\", according to a spokesman.
The decision not to invite the Obamas to the wedding was not unprecedented, as no heads of state were invited to the wedding. In 1981, First Lady Nancy Reagan attended the wedding of Prince Charles and Princess Diana without her husband. Similarly, President Clinton and First Lady Hillary Clinton did not attend Prince Edward's wedding to Sophie Rhys-Jones in 1999, nor did British Prime Minister Tony Blair.
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Frequently asked questions
No, the Obamas were not invited to the wedding of Prince William and Kate Middleton.
The wedding was not a state function, and no heads of state were invited.
Michelle Obama expressed her disappointment at not being invited. Two months before the wedding, she said on the talk show *Live With Regis and Kelly Show*: "If I get invited, I'll go".
Yes, the Obamas met Will and Kate at Buckingham Palace at the start of their UK tour a month after the wedding. This was Kate and William's first royal duty as a married couple.
