When Prince Harry and Meghan Markle got married in 2018, they decided not to invite any political leaders to their wedding. This meant that prominent American politicians such as President Donald Trump, former President Barack Obama, and Prime Minister Theresa May were not on the guest list. This decision was made to avoid potential controversies and the need for heavier security, especially regarding the attendance of a U.S. president. Instead, the couple chose to focus their guest list on those with a close relationship with them.
Characteristics | Values |
---|---|
Date of the wedding | 19 May 2018 |
Bride and groom | Prince Harry and Meghan Markle |
American politicians invited | None |
Reason for excluding politicians | Prince Harry is not the direct heir to the throne |
What You'll Learn
Barack Obama was not invited
Despite speculation, former US President Barack Obama was not invited to the royal wedding of Prince Harry and Meghan Markle. This decision was likely influenced by the limited space inside St George's Chapel and the fact that Prince Harry is not the direct heir to the throne, making him not obliged to host political figures.
The royal couple chose to exclude political leaders from their wedding guest list, which included both UK and international figures. This decision was made in consultation with the royal household and the government. As a result, prominent political figures such as US President Donald Trump, British Prime Minister Theresa May, and the Obamas were not in attendance.
The exclusion of Barack Obama from the guest list sparked some controversy, especially considering his close relationship with Prince Harry. The two had previously collaborated on initiatives such as the Invictus Games, showcasing a strong bond between them. However, the royal couple opted to limit their invitations to those with whom they shared a close relationship.
The decision to exclude political leaders from the wedding guest list was a deliberate choice by Prince Harry and Meghan Markle. This choice may have been influenced by a desire to avoid potential controversies and the complexities of hosting high-profile political figures. By excluding politicians, the couple sent a message that their wedding was a personal celebration rather than a political event.
The royal wedding of Prince Harry and Meghan Markle was a highly anticipated event that attracted attention from around the world. While the guest list sparked some debate, the couple ultimately chose to celebrate their special day with a select group of guests, excluding political leaders from both the UK and international spheres.
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Donald Trump was not invited
Donald Trump, the former president of the United States, was not invited to the royal wedding of Prince Harry and Meghan Markle. This was confirmed by a Kensington Palace spokesperson, who stated that the royal couple had chosen not to invite an official list of political leaders, a decision that was made in consultation with the royal household and the UK government. This decision also resulted in the exclusion of other political figures, including former US President Barack Obama and British Prime Minister Theresa May.
There were several reasons why Donald Trump was not invited to the royal wedding. Firstly, Prince Harry and Meghan Markle decided to limit their guest list to those with whom they had a close relationship. As Donald Trump did not have a personal relationship with either the prince or the bride, he was not included in the guest list. Additionally, Markle, an American-born actress, was a vocal supporter of Hillary Clinton during the 2016 presidential election and had publicly criticized Trump's rhetoric, calling it "divisive" and "misogynistic."
Another factor in Trump's exclusion from the wedding guest list was his previous comments about Princess Diana, Prince Harry's late mother. In an interview with Howard Stern, Trump had made lewd remarks about Diana, stating that he would have slept with her without hesitation. These comments may have been seen as disrespectful and inappropriate, further distancing Trump from receiving an invitation to the royal wedding.
Furthermore, it is important to note that Donald Trump had never met Prince Harry in person and had not visited the UK since becoming president. Royal biographer Dun Larcombe suggested that Harry might only be inviting people he knew, which did not include Trump. Additionally, the size of the venue, St George's Chapel, was also a consideration, as it was smaller than Westminster Abbey, where Prince William and Kate Middleton got married.
Despite not receiving an invitation, Donald Trump and his wife, Melania, still honoured the royal couple with a gift. They made a charitable donation to one of the seven charities suggested by Prince Harry and Meghan Markle for guests and well-wishers to contribute to instead of traditional wedding gifts.
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No American politicians were invited
The decision to exclude politicians was made to avoid controversy and potential offence. It was thought that inviting a former president but not the current one could create tension between the US and the UK. Similarly, inviting a US president but not a UK prime minister could also have caused upset.
The guest list was limited to those with a close relationship with the couple. As Prince Harry is not in direct line to the throne, he was not obliged to invite political figures. Instead, the wedding was attended by 2,640 members of the public, including charity workers, schoolchildren, injured service members, and community members from Windsor Castle.
The decision not to invite American politicians to the royal wedding is not unprecedented. In recent years, American presidents have not attended royal weddings, instead sending notes of congratulations or high-level envoys. For example, President Reagan did not attend the wedding of Prince Charles and Diana Spencer in 1981, despite apparently being invited. Similarly, the Obamas did not attend the wedding of Prince William and Kate Middleton in 2011, as no heads of state were invited.
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No UK politicians were invited
Prince Harry and Meghan Markle's wedding ceremony was a grand affair, but it did did not include any UK politicians. The couple decided to exclude political leaders from their big day, which meant that even Prime Minister Theresa May was not invited. This decision was made by the royal household, in consultation with the UK government.
The guest list for the royal wedding was highly anticipated, with much speculation about who would be invited. Ultimately, the couple chose to invite only those with whom they had a close relationship. This meant that, in addition to UK politicians, many world leaders were also left off the guest list.
One notable absence from the guest list was former US President Barack Obama and his wife, Michelle Obama. There had been speculation that the Obamas might be invited, given their previous work with Prince Harry, including at the Invictus Games. However, a royal source confirmed that the Obamas were not among the invited guests.
The decision to exclude political leaders from the wedding was partly due to the limited space inside St George's Chapel, where the wedding was held. Additionally, as Prince Harry is not the direct heir to the throne, he is not obliged to host political figures at his wedding.
The royal couple wanted to allow the public to feel part of the celebrations and included a broad range of people from different backgrounds and ages among the 2,640 guests in the grounds of Windsor Castle on the wedding day.
Overall, the decision to exclude UK politicians and other world leaders from the royal wedding guest list reflected Prince Harry and Meghan Markle's desire to keep the event intimate and focused on their close relationships.
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This is because Prince Harry is not the direct heir to the throne
When Prince Harry and Meghan Markle got married in 2018, they broke with tradition by not inviting any politicians to their wedding. This included US President Donald Trump, former US President Barack Obama, British Prime Minister Theresa May, and Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau.
The decision not to invite any political leaders, as confirmed by a spokesman for the prince's office, was likely influenced by Prince Harry's position in the line of succession. As the younger brother of Prince William, Harry is not the direct heir to the British throne and therefore has more flexibility in his choices.
Prince Harry's wedding to Meghan Markle was a significant national occasion, but it differed from the nuptials of his older brother, William, who is the direct heir to the throne. The guest list for Harry's wedding reflected his position in the line of succession, which is less prominent than that of the future king.
As the direct heir, William's wedding guest list included leading figures from national life and foreign heads of state or their representatives. In contrast, Harry and Meghan chose to invite only guests with whom they had a direct relationship, such as friends, work colleagues, and good acquaintances. The smaller venue of St. George's Chapel at Windsor Castle also reflected Harry's position and the more intimate nature of the wedding.
By not inviting political leaders, Harry and Meghan avoided potential controversies and diplomatic complexities. The absence of US President Donald Trump from the guest list, for example, sidestepped the potential for protests and security concerns. The couple's decision also allowed them to focus on including people from a broad range of backgrounds and ages, particularly those with whom they shared a personal connection.
Royal reporter Richard Palmer weighed in on the matter, tweeting: "Essentially, it's been decided that there's no need for official guests, as Prince Harry is not likely to be a future King." This sentiment was echoed by a Kensington Palace spokesman, who stated that an official list of political leaders was not required for the wedding.
Ultimately, Prince Harry's position as the younger sibling of the direct heir to the throne granted him the freedom to shape his wedding guest list according to his and Meghan's preferences. The couple's decision to exclude politicians from the event reflected their desire to celebrate with those closest to them and created a more relaxed and intimate atmosphere for their special day.
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Frequently asked questions
No. The couple did not invite any politicians to their wedding, which meant that US President Donald Trump was not invited.
No. Former US President Barack Obama was not invited to the wedding, despite being friends with the groom and having worked with him on several occasions.
No. Prime Minister Theresa May was not invited to the wedding.
Prince Harry was given strict instructions to exclude political leaders from his wedding. A Kensington Palace spokesman confirmed that "an official list of political leaders—both UK and international—is not required for Prince Harry and Ms Markle's wedding".
Yes, Ben Mulroney, the son of Canada's former Prime Minister, was invited to the wedding. However, he attended as a TV host and not in a political capacity.