Meghan Markle and Prince Harry were not invited to attend King Charles III’s Trooping the Colour – the official birthday celebration for the monarch. Read more in the article below.
A Shadow Over Tradition
Their most recent appearance was during Queen Elizabeth II’s Platinum Jubilee in 2022. On that occasion, Harry and Meghan were deliberately kept out of the main spotlight, watching from a separate room with other non-working royals and excluded from the Buckingham Palace balcony display. This year follows suit, indicating a continuing policy of omission.
Deepening Familial Rift
The absence of the Duke and Duchess of Sussex is emblematic of a growing familial divide. Prince Harry recently lost a legal battle to restore his taxpayer-funded UK security and confirmed in a BBC interview that King Charles is not currently speaking with him—a direct result of the security dispute. Harry, 40, remarked:
“I would love reconciliation with my family… Life is precious. I don’t know how much longer my father has. He won’t speak to me because of this security stuff.”
Despite this, he expressed continued hope for reconnection
Meghan’s Lucrative Commitment
Meghan, currently 42, was set to attend the Night of Wonder Gala at Los Angeles’s Natural History Museum on the same day. The event, which was to honour her charitable work and efforts in science education, was ultimately postponed due to protests. Even if invited, commitments like this would have kept her engaged elsewhere.
Royal Protocol & Health Considerations
King Charles, aged 76 and undergoing cancer treatment, opted to arrive via carriage instead of riding—a softer approach due to his health considerations. Princess Anne rode horseback, while Prince William led rehearsals amid the summer heat. The balcony lineup remained limited to “working royals”—a category excluding Harry and Meghan.
Prince William’s Role & the Succession Narrative
This year’s parade was symbolic: King Charles intended it to reflect both continuity and succession amid concern for monarchy’s future. Prince William, clearly front-and-centre, underscored his responsibilities during rehearsals and in the ceremony itself. The inclusion of senior royals and the exclusion of Harry signal an institutional approach favouring a streamlined, working-focused monarchy.
What This Signals Moving Forward
Royal biographer Sally Bedell Smith attributes the core of the rift to a lack of trust, particularly between Harry and Charles. The gap shows no signs of closing soon. Experts—and even insiders—suggest that without mutual reconciliation efforts, trust and unity remain distant.
Emotional Toll on the Sussexes
Harry has repeatedly emphasized his emotional struggle, even calling the situation “sad.” While Meghan is described as being more future-oriented and pragmatic, Harry continues to carry a weight of regret and longing. Their California home life, with Prince Archie (6) and Princess Lilibet (4), remains rooted away from the royal public eye.
Final Reflection
The Sussexes’ ongoing absence from Trooping the Colour isn’t just ceremonial—it’s emblematic. Exclusion from what used to be family tradition underscores the depth of divide. Despite security disputes, public spats, and emotional chasms, Harry still yearns for a reunion. Yet, for now, tradition—and tension—remain on the palace lawn.
