Who Gets A Royal Wedding Invite?

The question of which president is invited to a royal wedding has arisen several times in recent years, with former US President Barack Obama and former US President Donald Trump both notably not invited to the weddings of Prince Harry and Meghan Markle, and Prince William and Kate Middleton, respectively. While there is no requirement for political leaders to be invited to royal weddings, the decision on who to invite can be influenced by various factors, including venue capacity, security costs, and the potential for protests.

Prince Harry and Meghan Markle did not invite President Trump to their wedding

When Prince Harry and Meghan Markle got married in 2018, they did not invite then-US President Donald Trump and First Lady Melania Trump to the wedding. The couple decided not to invite any political leaders to their wedding, which was a break from tradition.

A Kensington Palace spokesman stated that "an official list of political leaders – both UK and international - is not required for Prince Harry and Ms. Markle's wedding." This decision was made in consultation with the British government and the Royal Household. As a result, neither the Trumps nor the Obamas received an invitation.

The decision to exclude political leaders from the guest list was reportedly made by Prince Harry himself, who was said to be in charge of the wedding planning. NBC News correspondent Keir Simmons commented, "People in Harry's circle tell me he is absolutely in charge of everything, that he decides... That, for example, is why there are no politicians, he says so, no politicians here, no President Trump here, no British prime minister here."

The exclusion of President Trump from the royal wedding guest list may have been influenced by several factors. Firstly, Markle had expressed her dislike for Trump during the 2016 election, stating that she might stay in Canada if he won. She also called him "misogynistic." Secondly, there were concerns about potential protests if Trump were to attend the wedding. When Prime Minister Theresa May offered Trump a state visit early in 2018, polls showed that 2 million people intended to protest against him.

Despite not being invited to the wedding, President Trump and First Lady Melania still honoured the royal couple with a gift. They made a donation to one of the seven charities that Harry and Meghan had suggested to guests and well-wishers in lieu of traditional wedding gifts. These charities supported causes close to the couple's hearts, including women's empowerment, conservation, the environment, homelessness, and the Armed Forces.

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

A Kensington Palace 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.

At the time, there were rumours that the Royal Family did not extend an invitation to the Obamas because they were afraid that Michelle Obama would upstage Kate Middleton. However, there is no evidence to support this.

Prince William and Kate Middleton's wedding was attended by 1,900 guests, including religious leaders, members of the royal family, and commonwealth countries. The Obamas travelled to the UK less than a month later for an official state visit.

The Trumps sent a gift to Harry and Meghan despite not being invited

Although Donald Trump and his wife Melania were not invited to the wedding of Prince Harry and Meghan Markle, the former US president and first lady sent the royal couple a gift. The Trumps' decision to send a gift despite not being invited may be seen as a respectful gesture or an attempt to honour the couple.

NBC News correspondent Keir Simmons reported that Prince Harry decided not to invite any political leaders to his wedding. A White House spokesperson confirmed that the Trumps would be making a charitable donation to one of the seven charities suggested by the royal couple in lieu of gifts. The specific charity chosen by the Trumps is unknown.

The selected charities were hand-picked by Harry and Meghan and focused on issues such as women's empowerment, conservation, the environment, homelessness, and the Armed Forces. The couple's request for charitable donations instead of gifts demonstrated their philanthropic values and desire to support causes close to their hearts.

The decision to exclude political leaders from the wedding guest list extended to former President Barack Obama and his wife, Michelle Obama, despite Harry's close bond with them. This exclusion may be attributed to diplomatic reasons and the desire to avoid political overtones at the wedding.

While the Trumps' gift may be seen as a respectful gesture, there has been tension between the Trumps and the Sussexes. Meghan Markle has been vocal about her opposition to Trump, calling him "divisive" and "misogynistic" before the 2016 US election. Additionally, Eric Trump, son of former President Trump, has branded Harry and Meghan as "spoiled apples" and hinted at the possibility of Harry's deportation if his father wins the presidential election.

Harry and Meghan's wedding venue had a maximum capacity of 900 guests

Prince Harry and Meghan Markle's wedding venue, St. George's Chapel at Windsor Castle, had a maximum capacity of 900 guests. This was less than half the number invited to the wedding of Prince William and Kate Middleton, which took place at Westminster Abbey, where 1900 invites were sent out.

Harry and Meghan's wedding was not a political occasion, and the couple chose to exclude political leaders from the guest list. This included both UK and international political leaders, such as the then US President Donald Trump and former President Barack Obama. A Kensington Palace spokesman stated, "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."

The decision to exclude political leaders was guided by the Foreign Office's advice, which typically advises inviting foreign royals, dignitaries, and diplomats to royal weddings. At Prince William and Kate Middleton's wedding in 2011, no heads of state were invited. Instead, the guest list included members of foreign royal families, dignitaries, members of the British government, and representatives from the Church and other faiths.

The smaller venue capacity at Harry and Meghan's wedding meant that the couple had to be selective with their guest list, choosing to invite only 600 people. This presented a challenge, as royal weddings involve a complex mix of considerations and protocols.

Harry and Meghan's wedding was guided by the Foreign Office's advice

The guest list for Harry and Meghan's wedding included approximately 600 people, most of whom had a direct relationship with the couple. The wedding was held at St. George's Chapel at Windsor Castle, which has a maximum capacity of 900 guests. This was a much smaller venue compared to the wedding of Harry's brother, William, and Kate Middleton, which took place at Westminster Abbey and had 1,900 invites.

The Foreign Office's advice is essential to ensuring that royal weddings are carefully orchestrated to maintain political neutrality and avoid any political overtones. Harry and Meghan's decision to follow this advice contributed to the overall planning and success of their wedding.

The royal couple's wedding was a highly publicized event, with an estimated 1.9 billion people tuning in worldwide. The ceremony included traditional elements, such as the exchange of vows and rings, and unique touches, like the inclusion of African-American culture. The guest list comprised a mix of British royals and American A-listers, reflecting the couple's backgrounds and personal connections.

Overall, the Foreign Office's advice played a crucial role in shaping the guest list and ensuring the wedding proceeded smoothly without any political implications.

Frequently asked questions