Prince Harry and Meghan Markle appear to have been uninvited from Queen Elizabeth II’s pre-funeral reception at Buckingham Palace, according to a new report from the UK’s Telegraph.
The couple received an invite to the grand event, hosted by King Charles III and Queen Consort Camilla, for world leaders and foreign royals. But they have apparently now been informed that only working British royals are welcome.
Per the outlet, it remained unclear why Harry, 38, and Markle, 41, were ever invited, with royal aides insisting they are not expected to attend.
Sources told the outlet that the pair “appeared baffled” by the apparent mixup.
President Joe Biden and French President Emmanuel Macron are among hundreds of heads of state who will descend upon London before the Monarch’s state funeral on Monday.
The queen died Sept. 8 at age 96 following a historic 70-year reign.
Markle and Harry have been in the UK for some time, mourning the queen alongside Prince William, Kate Middleton and the rest of the royal family. The pair has also reconnected with the British people during public outings.
Markle and Harry notably raised eyebrows when they were spotted holding hands at the monarch’s procession on Wednesday — because, again, they are no longer working members of the royal family. But also, because their display of affection was a “breach” of protocol.
“Harry and Meghan are grieving relatives and are under no obligation to follow royal protocol,” body language expert Inbaal Honigman told the British newspaper The Daily Express in defense of Harry and Markle.
The parents of two — who share son Archie, 3, and daughter Lilibet, 15 months — gave up their royal duties as Duke and Duchess of Sussex in January 2020 due to ongoing issues, such as media scrutiny and inner turmoil within the family. They have since relocated from England to Markle’s native California.
Confusion over Harry and the former “Suits” actress’ attendance at the pre-funeral reception follows mixed messaging about the prince’s right to wear a military uniform throughout his visit back home.
Harry’s father, Charles, 73, ultimately granted him permission to wear such attire during a Saturday night vigil for Elizabeth.