Prince Harry and Meghan Markle have found themselves excluded from yet another significant royal event, as they were not invited to the Trooping the Colour parade. This marks the second snub in a week for the Sussexes, who are now based in Los Angeles. The parade, which is the King’s official birthday celebration, is set to take place this Saturday, June 15.
American PR expert Michael Levine commented on the situation, stating, “This continued exclusion of Meghan and Harry from Trooping the Colour is a poignant reflection of their ongoing estrangement from the core of the British monarchy.” The news of their exclusion comes as Kate Middleton, the Princess of Wales, hinted at a possible surprise appearance at the event. She had previously apologized in a heartfelt letter for missing the final rehearsal, known as the Colonel’s Review, last weekend.
In her letter, the Princess of Wales, who is the honorary Colonel of the Irish Guards, wrote, “Please pass my apologies to the whole Regiment, however, I do hope that I am able to represent you all once again very soon.” This potential appearance by Kate Middleton could be a significant moment, as it would mark her return to public life after a period of absence.
Meanwhile, Prince Harry recently declined an invitation to the wedding of Hugh Grosvenor, the Duke of Westminster, and Olivia Henson, which took place at Chester Cathedral last week. Reports suggest that Harry did not want ongoing family tensions to overshadow the high-profile wedding, where Prince William served as an usher.
As the Trooping the Colour event approaches, King Charles has been actively participating in various royal duties despite his ongoing cancer treatment. He is determined to attend as many events as possible, including the Garter Day service at Windsor Castle next week. The Order of the Garter is the oldest and most senior Order of Chivalry in Britain, and the service will involve a procession by its members.
King Charles recently paid tribute to the Irish Guards, praising their “professionalism, courage, and humour” ahead of the Trooping the Colour ceremony. He inspected the soldiers and presented them with new colours, which will be publicly displayed for the first time at the parade. The King highlighted the regiment’s achievements, including their work in counter-terrorism and training local forces in Africa, as well as their role in assisting civil authorities during the COVID-19 pandemic and training Ukrainian forces.
In a related development, the British Army announced that the horses involved in a recent incident in London, where they were spooked by noise from a building site, have made remarkable progress in their recovery. These horses are expected to participate in the King’s Birthday Parade this month.
As the royal family prepares for the Trooping the Colour, a royal expert has weighed in on the potential appearance of Kate Middleton. Katie Nicholl told Entertainment Tonight that it is “very unlikely” that the British public will see Kate again anytime soon due to her ongoing cancer treatment. However, if she does make an appearance, it would be a significant moment for the monarchy.
King Charles, who has expressed a desire to build a closer relationship with his grandchildren, Prince Archie and Princess Lilibet, is reportedly saddened by the limited interactions he has had with them. Royal author Ingrid Seward noted that the King does not want a “FaceTime relationship” with his youngest grandchildren and hopes to be more involved in their lives.
As the Trooping the Colour event draws near, the focus remains on the royal family’s dynamics and the potential appearances of key members. The exclusion of Harry and Meghan from the event highlights the ongoing tensions within the family, while the possible return of Kate Middleton could send a positive message about the strength and unity of the monarchy.
