NO INVITATION FOR PM...OR OBAMA
Harry and Meghan also leave Trump off wedding guest list in favour of their family and friends
Theresa May and other political leaders – including Us President Donald Trump – have been left off the guest list for Prince harry and Meghan Markle’s wedding.
In a surprise move, there are no invitations for the Prime Minister, Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn or any foreign heads of state.
The omission of Commonwealth leaders is particularly surprising as they may see it as a snub.
President Obama and his wife, Michelle, both friends of harry, have also failed to make the cut, sources confirmed last night.
The situation has left royal watchers wondering whether the Obamas, who are close to the prince, may have done the ‘decent thing’ and stepped aside so as not to ruffle the feathers of Mr Trump.
Kensington Palace confirmed yesterday that the 600 guests invited to watch the couple exchange vows on May 19 at st George’s Chapel in the grounds of Windsor Castle would all be those with a direct relationship with Meghan and harry.
‘This is very much about them getting married surrounded by their families and friends,’ a source said.
‘It is not a big state occasion in any way. It is an intimate family wedding. Well, as intimate as a royal wedding can be.’
The prince’s spokesman said the Queen backed her grandson’s decision not to invite politicians or foreign dignitaries for the sake of it.
Kensington Palace said: ‘It has been decided that an official list of political leaders – both UK and international – is not required for Prince harry and Miss Markle’s wedding. her Majesty’s Government was consulted on this decision, which was taken by The royal household.’ Government sources said Theresa May ‘wasn’t expecting an invitation’. Despite the wedding being an important national occasion, harry is not in the direct line of succession – unlike his elder brother, Prince William, who had no choice but to invite dozens of politicians and Commonwealth representatives to his 2011 Westminster abbey nuptials.
harry is currently fifth in line to the throne, but after the birth of his third niece or nephew later this month, will slip to sixth, behind the Cambridges’ three children.
Prince harry and Miss Markle have also chosen a much smaller venue than William and Kate, who were able to fit around 1,200 guests into Westminster abbey, including thenPrime Minister David Cameron.
By contrast, up to a third of the 600 invited to st George’s Chapel would have been politicians and dignitaries if the guest list had been opened up to those outside of their family and friends.
The last ‘second son’ to marry was Prince andrew, who wed sarah Ferguson at Westminster abbey in 1986. On that occasion, Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher, as well as the leaders of the opposition, Neil Kinnock, David steel and David Owen, were invited. But the ceremony was held at a was a bigger venue and andrew was fourth in line to the throne.
Instead, Prince harry and Meghan appear to be basing their wedding blueprint on Prince edward’s marriage to sophie rhys- Jones.
In 1999, the couple broke with royal tradition when they plumped for the same venue, st George’s Chapel. all of the prince’s elder siblings married at either st James’ or Westminster abbey.
From the start, edward, then seventh in line to the throne, and sophie emphasised their desire for a lowkey royal wedding, with no prime minister or foreign dignitaries.
‘Government was consulted’