MEGHAN Markle and Prince Harry have reportedly been “uninvited” to a state reception hosted by the King Charles on Sunday.
The Duke and Duchess of Sussex are said to have received an invitation earlier this week for the grand event at Buckingham Palace.
The Duke and Duchess of Sussex pictured leaving Westminster Hall following the royal procession on Wednesday
The gathering, which will see foreign VIPs meet on the eve of Her Majesty’s funeral, is set to be the largest of world leaders in modern history.
But Palace officials have insisted it is for working royals only – and aides insist Meghan and Harry are unlikely to attend, The Telegraph reports.
It comes as…
- Camilla reveals Royals are ‘exhausted’ but are carrying on as ‘stopping would be worse’ as she visits Wales with Charles
- Prince William will lead the Queen’s grandchildren at a poignant vigil at her coffin tomorrow
- Prince Harry will wear his uniform at the vigil after being granted permission by King Charles
- The list of 500 heads of state and dignitaries attending the Queen’s funeral has been confirmed
- Sophie Wessex is reportedly set to take on a number of the Queen’s old roles
- Queen Consort Camilla has been soldiering on with her duties despite breaking a toe two weeks ago
- Entry to see the Queen lying in state has been paused for at least six hours
- A minute-by-minute guide on the Queen’s funeral details has been released
Over 500 heads of state and dignitaries have been invited to the VIP reception hosted by King Charles.
The dress code for the event, to be held in the palace’s Picture Gallery and State Rooms, is lounge suits – as the Royal Family is in mourning.
A spokesman for The King said: “This is one of the last moments for Her Majesty the Queen as opposed to the first for His Majesty.”
The confusion over whether the Sussexes will be there echoes that which surrounded Harry’s uniform ban earlier this week.
It was initially understood the duke would be banned from wearing his military colours at a vigil held by the Queen’s grandchildren on Saturday.
But in a move later said to be a “one-off,” the duke was given special permission to wear it for the 15-minute period of reflection at Westminster Hall – just as Prince Andrew did tonight.
Meghan and Harry will travel to the Queen’s funeral separately on Monday.
King Charles will once again lead his family in marching behind Her Majesty’s coffin when it is moved from Westminster Hall to Westminster Abbey.
Behind him and his siblings will be the Queen’s grandsons Peter Phillips, Duke of Sussex and the Prince of Wales in a show of unity.
Meghan Markle and Sophie Wessex will follow in a car behind.
Global leaders are set to arrive in London this weekend and are expected to pay their own respects to Queen Elizabeth with visits to Westminster Hall where she is lying in state.
US President Joe Biden, France’s Emmanuel Macron, China Vice President Wang Qishan, Prime Minister of New Zealand Jacinda Ardern and Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau are all expected to come.
'CRIED WITH JOY'
Kate's gesture for young girl who wanted to leave Corgi teddy for Queen
ROAD TO NOWHERE
Charles stunned after man roller skates in front of his car and is arrested
Meanwhile dozens of members of foreign royal families — including Emperor Naruhito and Empress Masako of Japan, King Felipe VI and Queen Letizia of Spain and King Philip and Queen Mathilde of Belgium — will be among the 2,000 mourners at Westminster Abbey.
Buckingham Palace has been approached for comment.
