Organising a wedding and locking down a guest list is a tricky enough business, but when you’re a royal, it’s a whole different ball game. Case in point: Prince Harry and Meghan Markle are reportedly coming under fire over their chosen invitees already.
With the royal wedding confirmed for May 19 2018, The Sun claims that UK government officials have voiced warnings over Harry’s wish to invite his friend and former US president Barack Obama and his wife Michelle to the nuptials.
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Politicians are said to have “deep fears” about how President Trump would react if he were to be snubbed from the guest list, while his predecessor scores an invite.
“Harry has made it clear he wants the Obamas at the wedding, so it’s causing a lot of nervousness,” a ‘senior government source’ told the British tabloid.
“Trump could react very badly if the Obamas get to a Royal wedding before he has had a chance to meet the Queen.”
“Conversations are ongoing about and ministers will eventually have to decide. If the PM lays down the law, Harry will just have to suck it up.”
Prince Harry made several public appearances with the Obamas during their time in the White House and beyond, always notably looking to be at ease and enjoying himself. Most recently, Harry roped in his friend to be interviewed by him for a BBC radio show earlier this month.
At The Invictus Games 2017 in September
At The Invictus Games 2016
With the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge, London 2016
Harry is yet to meet Donald Trump, but his daughter Ivanka was slammed last month after offering up congratulations to Harry and Meghan on Twitter.
The wedding guest list is in the hands of Buckingham Palace as the event is not a state occasion, but the UK government can consult on it. The UK and US’s political relationship is currently shaky following Trump’s public condemnation of Prime Minister Theresa May, after she labelled his retweeting of far-right group Britain First “wrong”. (Even if he did target his tweet at the wrong Theresa May.)
The British people also instigated a petition to stop Donald Trump from meeting the Queen earlier this year.
