Trooping the Colour would be 'all about Harry and Meghan' if they were invited

15 June 2024 , 08:58

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This weekend marks King Charles III's official birthday, with Trooping the Colour set to take place today

Trooping the Colour would have been "all about Harry and Meghan" if the Duke and Duchess of Sussex were invited.

This weekend marks King Charles III's official birthday, despite the monarch being born in November, with Trooping the Colour set to take place today. Trooping the Colour is the formal State Ceremonial Parade in the presence of His Majesty The King on Horse Guards Parade in London by regiments of Household Division.

Not expected to be at the event today are the Sussexes and their two children, Prince Archie and Princess Lilibet. Harry and wife Meghan stepped down as working royals back in January 2020, but prior to that, the couple had made two highly-anticipated appearances at Trooping the Colour.

READ MORE: Prince Harry and Meghan Markle 'facing huge challenge over invites to A-List events'

The Sussexes will not be at Trooping the Colour today

Harry and Meghan famously attended the event, which was then for the late Queen, in 2018 shortly after their wedding, and in 2019, following the arrival of the couple's eldest child Archie.

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Speaking to The Mirror in an exclusive chat ahead of the ceremonial event today, royal commentator Richard Fitzwilliams has touched on how if the Sussexes were to attend, it would be "all about them". Meanwhile, elsewhere in the chat he spoke of Harry's "regret".

Mr Fitzwilliams said: "This year's Trooping the Colour which commemorates the King’s Birthday will be memorable as King Charles will be in a carriage as he courageously battles cancer.

"Harry and Meghan have not been invited. This is no surprise. You could argue they would not have accepted and also would not have expected an invitation as the royal rift is so deep. It has to be all about them if they accept."

Elsewhere in the chat, he added: "Had matters proceeded as anticipated, Harry and Meghan, as senior working royals, would have been prominent in the ceremony and the coverage is worldwide.

"He would not be human if he did not have some regrets when he sees what he is missing, as he surely must. It is surely time he wore his Coronation Medal too."

Mollie Quirk