Harry & Meghan 'were never going to accept Duke of Westminster's wedding invite'

07 June 2024 , 07:17

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An expert has spoken of the 'sadness' as the Sussexes snub the event (Image: Getty Images)

Prince Harry and Meghan Markle "were never going to accept a wedding invite to the Duke of Westminster's big day", it has been claimed by an expert.

Hugh Grosvenor, the 7th Duke of Westminster, is a close friend of both Prince Harry and his brother Prince William, with his wedding to Olivia Henson due to take place today. It was previously reported that the Duke of Sussex turned down a "save the date" to the wedding to avoid an "awkward" encounter with family members he is no longer close with.

And just yesterday, an American news outlet "confirmed" that the Duke of Sussex was invited to the society wedding of the year.

READ MORE: King Charles 'sends message to Harry that he will never be allowed back to Frogmore Cottage'

Hugh Grosvenor will tie the knot today (UK Press via Getty Images)

Harry and Meghan will not be attending the wedding (Anadolu via Getty Images)

PEOPLE wrote how "there was an acknowledgment on both sides that it would be difficult for Harry to attend", adding that it was an "understanding between the two friends", according to a source.

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Royal expert and commentator Richard Fitzwilliams has now weighed in on the Sussexes' snubbing the event, with him exclusively telling The Mirror that he believes the couple "were never going to accept" an invitation to the wedding.

"To feel you have no choice but to miss the wedding of the year is very sad," Mr Fitzwilliams told us. "However, the deep rift within the royal family has ensured that Harry and Meghan were never going to accept an invitation to the wedding of Hugh Grosvenor, Duke of Westminster, godfather to Archie and a close friend of Harry."

Mr Fitzwilliams added: "They knew William would be there, reportedly as one of the ushers. They also knew that their presence would cause a media storm, especially since Meghan has not visited Britain since Queen Elizabeth's Funeral."

An insider close to Hugh Grosvenor and his bride-to-be told PEOPLE earlier this week that Harry and the Duke of Westminster made the agreement of him not attending the wedding in a mutual way, with the magazine adding: "The decision certainly avoided the inevitable clamour had estranged brothers Prince William, 41, and Prince Harry both attended the nuptials, eliminating the possibility of the big day being overshadowed for the couple."

The publication added that: "The Duke of Sussex sends 'his love and support and admiration for the couple' for their wedding day."

Mollie Quirk