London : British Prime Minister Theresa May has not been invited to the wedding of Prince Harry and Meghan Markle on May 19, a British government source said on Tuesday.
Harry, grandson of Queen Elizabeth and younger brother of Prince William, will marry Markle, an American actress best known for her role in the TV series "Suits", at St George's Chapel in Windsor Castle.
The wedding guests will be people who have an existing direct relationship with the groom or the bride or with both, said a source at Kensington palace, the official residence of William and Harry.
An official spokesman for the palace said: "It has been decided that an official list of political leaders - both UK and international - is not required for Prince Harry and Ms. Markle's wedding. Her Majesty's Government was consulted on this decision, which was taken by The Royal Household."
The Telegraph newspaper and other British national media said US President Donald Trump and his predecessor Barack Obama had not been invited. The palace spokesman declined to comment.
There had been some speculation that the Obamas might be invited due to the personal rapport between the former president and Harry, but it would have been diplomatically awkward to invite the Obamas and not the Trumps.
Although the royal family is expected to steer well clear of politics, Britain's delicate constitutional balance means that its members have to consult discreetly with the government to ensure their public actions comply with foreign policy.
The British government source said there had been no expectation from May's office that the prime minister would be invited.
The government source noted that the wedding venue was significantly smaller than Westminster Abbey, where Harry's older brother wed Kate Middleton in 2011 in the presence of numerous heads of government.
Harry, grandson of Queen Elizabeth and younger brother of Prince William, will marry Markle, an American actress best known for her role in the TV series "Suits", at St George's Chapel in Windsor Castle.
The wedding guests will be people who have an existing direct relationship with the groom or the bride or with both, said a source at Kensington palace, the official residence of William and Harry.
The Telegraph newspaper and other British national media said US President Donald Trump and his predecessor Barack Obama had not been invited. The palace spokesman declined to comment.
Advertisement
Although the royal family is expected to steer well clear of politics, Britain's delicate constitutional balance means that its members have to consult discreetly with the government to ensure their public actions comply with foreign policy.
Advertisement
The government source noted that the wedding venue was significantly smaller than Westminster Abbey, where Harry's older brother wed Kate Middleton in 2011 in the presence of numerous heads of government.
© Thomson Reuters 2018
COMMENTS
Advertisement
Prince Harry, Meghan Markle Break 64-Year Royal Tradition In Surprise Move Serena Williams Teases Friends Prince Harry And Meghan Markle Over Royal Feud All Is Not Well Between Prince Harry And Meghan Markle? Royal Expert Says... Barack Obama Wants Joe Biden To Pull Out Of US Presidential Race: Report World's Largest Isolated Tribe Makes Rare Appearance In New Footage Shooter Had Trump's Face Right In Middle Of Crosshairs, Shows New Video Comedy Legend Bob Newhart Dead At 94: Publicist Israeli Strike Kills Field Commander In Elite Hezbollah Unit: Report Delhi-San Francisco Air India Flight Diverted To Russia After Engine Glitch Track Latest News Live on NDTV.com and get news updates from India and around the world.