NO R.S.V.I.P
MEGHAN AND HARRY WEDDING SNUB FOR PM
It has been decided an official list of political leaders is not needed KENSINGTON PALACE ON LACK OF VIP GUESTS
May, Trump & Obama left out as couple shun official guest list
Charity workers invited to Windsor Castle for the big day
PRINCE Harry and Meghan Markle have left Theresa May and Donald Trump off their wedding guest list as they choose to say their vows in front of only those close to them.
Even ex-US president Barack Obama, a friend of Harry’s, has not been invited – perhaps to avoid diplomatic difficulties as other dignitaries are left out.
The only VIPs invited are those who have a personal relationship with Harry, 33, or former US actress Meghan, 36.
They include Prince Seeiso of Lesotho, who founded children’s charity Sentebale with Harry.
It means the Prime Minister, the American president, Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn and other political leaders from around the world need not clear their diaries for May 19.
Instead only family and friends will fill the 600 seats of St George’s Chapel in Windsor Castle, while the total number of guests at the castle will be 2,640.
They include 1,200 members of the public who have touched the couple’s hearts, including a 12-year-old survivor of last year’s terror attack at the Manchester Arena.
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.” Harry has worked closely with both Barack Obama, 56, and wife Michelle, 54, but neither former White House resident is invited to the big day. A source said Harry and Meghan were instead “looking forward to seeing them soon”. Members of the public invited into the castle grounds include Amelia Thompson, 12, from Dronfield, Derbys who was caught up in the Manchester attack last May, and Philip Gillespie, 30, from Ballymena, Co Antrim, who raises funds for ABF The Soldiers’ Charity. Amelia will take the grandmother of a teenager who died in the terror attack. Also on the list are Reuben Litherland, 14, of Derby, who was born deaf and started lunchtime lessons to teach sign language at his school. Pamela Anomneze, 52, of Haringey, North London, who runs the Studio 306 Collective for people with mental health problems also gets an invite. The lack of a VIP guest is in contrast to the wedding of Harry’s brother Prince William to Kate in 2011, a semi-state occasion in which Westminster Abbey was packed with overseas dignitaries.