President Donald Trump and his wife Melania were not invited to the wedding of Prince Harry and Meghan Markle. The couple decided not to invite any political leaders, including UK Prime Minister Theresa May and Leader of the Labour Party Jeremy Corbyn. This decision was reportedly made by Prince Harry, who had never met Trump in person and was also influenced by Markle's criticism of Trump's divisive and misogynistic rhetoric during his 2016 presidential campaign. Despite the snub, Trump and Melania sent the royal couple a gift, donating to one of the seven charities they supported in lieu of gifts.
Characteristics | Values |
---|---|
Date of Wedding | May 19, 2018 |
Bride and Groom | Meghan Markle and Prince Harry |
Reason for Trump's Non-Invitation | Prince Harry's decision to not invite any political leaders |
Trump's Response | "I want them to be happy, I really want them to be happy" |
Trump's Gift | Donation to one of the seven charities chosen by the royal couple |
What You'll Learn
Harry's decision to not invite any political leaders
Prince Harry and Meghan Markle's wedding was one of the most highly anticipated events of 2018. The couple announced their engagement on November 27, 2017, and the world eagerly awaited the wedding day.
In the lead-up to the event, there was much speculation about the guest list, particularly regarding political leaders. It was eventually confirmed by Kensington Palace that no politicians would be invited to the wedding, which was classified as a private event. This included both UK and international political leaders, such as US President Donald Trump and British Prime Minister Theresa May.
NBC News correspondent Keir Simmons reported that the decision was made by Prince Harry, who was said to be "absolutely in charge of everything." Simmons quoted a source from Harry's circle, stating:
> "That, for example, is why there are no politicians, he says so, no politicians here, no President Trump here, no British prime minister here."
This decision also meant that former President Barack Obama and his wife, Michelle Obama, were not invited, despite Harry's friendship with the couple through their shared work with charitable organizations and events like the Invictus Games.
The size of the venue, Windsor Chapel, was also a factor. It was much smaller than Westminster Abbey, where Harry's older brother, Prince William, had married in 2011. Instead of politicians, Harry and Meghan opted to invite 2,640 family members, friends, and members of the public who were dedicated to civic action in the UK.
The decision to exclude political leaders may also have been influenced by diplomatic concerns. Royal biographer Duncan Larcombe suggested that inviting the Obamas but not Trump could cause problems for the British government in terms of foreign diplomacy and the special relationship between the US and the UK. Additionally, Harry and Meghan may have wanted to avoid any potential overshadowing of their wedding by political figures.
Personal relationships were also considered. Larcombe noted that Harry could argue he was "only inviting people he knows", and Trump did not have a personal relationship with the couple. In contrast, Obama had a history with Harry through their shared work.
Trump's complicated history with the royal family, including comments about Princess Diana and Catherine, the Duchess of Cambridge, may have also played a role in the decision. Additionally, Meghan Markle, an American-born actress and former United Nations Women advocate, had been critical of Trump's "divisive" and "misogynistic" rhetoric during his 2016 presidential campaign.
Overall, Prince Harry's decision to not invite any political leaders, including Donald Trump, to his wedding with Meghan Markle was a deliberate choice to prioritize their personal connections, community service, and a smooth diplomatic landscape for their special day.
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Meghan Markle's criticism of Trump's rhetoric
Meghan Markle, an American-born actress and former United Nations Women advocate, was vocal in her criticism of Trump's rhetoric during his 2016 presidential campaign against Hillary Clinton. Markle described Trump's language as "divisive" and "misogynistic".
Markle's criticism of Trump's rhetoric stems from her own advocacy for women's empowerment and humanitarianism. She has been an outspoken advocate for women's rights and has used her platform to promote gender equality and female leadership. Markle's commitment to these causes is evident in the charities that she and Prince Harry selected for donations in lieu of wedding gifts. These charities included organisations benefiting women's empowerment, conservation, the environment, homelessness, and the Armed Forces.
Markle's stance on Trump's rhetoric reflects her belief in the importance of inclusive and respectful language in political discourse. As a public figure, she has used her platform to draw attention to issues that are important to her, leveraging her influence to promote values of equality and social justice.
The decision to not invite Trump to the royal wedding was also influenced by the fact that Markle and Prince Harry chose to prioritise their personal connections over political protocol. The wedding was a private event, and the couple opted to celebrate with family, friends, and members of the public who shared their passion for community service. This decision further emphasised their commitment to using their platform to highlight and support causes that are important to them.
The omission of Trump from the guest list was not an isolated incident but rather a reflection of Markle and Prince Harry's desire to use their wedding as an opportunity to make a statement about their values and priorities. By excluding political leaders, they sent a clear message about the kind of event they wanted to create and the people they wanted to celebrate with.
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Trump's lewd comments about Princess Diana
Trumps Lewd Comments about Princess Diana
Donald Trump has made lewd comments about women on several occasions, including Princess Diana of Wales. In a 1997 interview with Howard Stern, Trump made a series of inappropriate remarks about the Princess of Wales, who had recently passed away. Trump claimed he could have "nailed" Princess Diana and that she was "crazy" but "beautiful." These comments resurfaced in 2016 during Trump's presidential campaign and sparked widespread criticism and outrage.
In the interview, Trump boasted about his wealth and celebrity status, claiming that Princess Diana was "lovely" and "dreamed of him" because he owned a "big chunk of Manhattan." He also made crude speculations about their hypothetical sexual relationship, saying that he would have "tested her" first and that she would have "crawled back to him" eventually. The comments objectified and disrespected Princess Diana, reducing her to a sexual conquest and ignoring her humanitarian work and global impact.
Trump's lewd remarks about Princess Diana are part of a pattern of inappropriate behaviour towards women. In 2005, a video surfaced of Trump making vulgar comments about women, bragging about kissing, groping, and attempting to have sex with them without consent. He also stated that when you're a "star," you can "do anything" to women, implying that his celebrity status excused his actions. These comments caused widespread outrage, and Trump issued a short apology, calling his words "foolish" and a "distraction."
The decision to exclude Trump from the royal wedding guest list could be interpreted as a statement against his disrespectful behaviour and a reinforcement of the royal family's commitment to women's empowerment and equality. By not inviting Trump, the royal couple may have intended to distance themselves from his controversial remarks and uphold the dignity of Princess Diana's memory.
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Harry's lack of a personal relationship with Trump
Prince Harry and Meghan Markle's wedding was a highly anticipated event, with the world watching the couple tie the knot. However, one notable absence from the guest list was US President Donald Trump. While there were several reasons for this, one key factor was Harry's lack of a personal relationship with Trump.
Harry and Meghan's wedding was not an official state occasion, and as such, the couple chose not to invite any political leaders, including both UK and international figures. This decision was made by the Royal Household, with the consultation of the UK government. A Kensington Palace spokesperson confirmed this, stating that an "official list of political leaders" was not required for the wedding.
At the time, Harry was only fifth in line to the throne, and the venue, Windsor Chapel, was much smaller than Westminster Abbey, where his older brother William had married. The smaller venue meant that the guest list had to be more selective, and Harry reportedly opted to invite only people he knew personally.
Trump and Harry had never met in person, and Trump had not visited the UK since becoming president. Royal biographer Duncan Larcombe suggested that Harry was "only inviting people he knows," which did not include the US president.
In addition, there may have been other factors at play. Meghan Markle, an American herself, had been critical of Trump during his 2016 presidential campaign. She had called his rhetoric "divisive" and "misogynistic" and had expressed her preference for his opponent, Hillary Clinton. Trump had also made lewd comments about Harry's late mother, Princess Diana, which may have further strained any potential relationship between the two men.
While Trump did not receive an invitation to the wedding, he did send his well wishes to the couple and made a charitable donation to one of the seven charities chosen by Harry and Meghan in lieu of gifts.
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Diplomatic concerns
The decision not to invite Trump to the wedding of Prince Harry and Meghan Markle was likely influenced by diplomatic concerns. The couple chose not to invite any political leaders, with a Kensington Palace spokesperson stating:
> "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."
This decision may have been made to avoid causing issues for the British government in terms of foreign diplomacy, particularly in relation to the "special relationship" between the US and the UK. If the Obamas had been invited and Trump was snubbed, it could have created tensions and overshadowed the wedding.
Trump's lack of a personal relationship with Harry could also have been a factor. The prince may have chosen to only invite people he knew, and he had never met Trump in person and had no shared history with him.
Additionally, Trump had made controversial comments about Princess Diana and the Duchess of Cambridge in the past, which may not have been well-received by the royal family.
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Frequently asked questions
Donald Trump was not invited to the wedding of Prince Harry and Meghan Markle because the couple chose not to invite any political leaders.
Donald Trump said he did not expect an invitation to the wedding, but wished the couple happiness.
Yes, Donald Trump and his wife, Melania, made a donation to one of the seven charities the couple suggested to guests and well-wishers in lieu of gifts.
No, the couple chose not to invite any political leaders, so the British Prime Minister at the time, Theresa May, and the Leader of the Labour Party, Jeremy Corbyn, were also not invited.