Prince Harry and Duchess Meghan will likely not attend Trooping the Colour, the traditional commemoration of the British monarch’s birthday, on June 15 for the second year running. They were also snubbed at last year’s historic ceremony.
Reportedly, Prince Harry and Meghan Markle—who reside in Montecito with their two children, Prince Archie, 5, and Princess Lilibet, 3—were not invited to the King’s birthday party when they stepped down from their royal duties in 2020.
His Majesty extended an invitation for Prince Harry to stay at a royal property during his recent whirlwind tour of London, but the young prince reportedly declined because of “security concerns.”
Harry and Meghan have made very few official royal occasions appearances since they retreated from their royal duty roles in 2020. When they went to London to celebrate Queen Elizabeth II’s Platinum Jubilee in 2022, it was their last Trooping the Colour. The couple kept a low profile throughout their short visit, opting not to participate in the procession or stand on the traditional balcony of Buckingham Palace like the rest of the family.
According to a representative from Buckingham Palace, only senior royals “who are currently undertaking official public duties on behalf of the queen” would be asked to make public appearances.
Harry and Meghan attended in 2018 and 2019. The COVID-19 epidemic dampened the size of the ceremonies in 2020 and 2021.
Since two members of the royal family, who are particularly notable, are still undergoing treatment for cancer, royal observers may anticipate that they will make few public appearances at Trooping the Colour this year. Although King Charles has resumed his public responsibilities following his February announcement, it is still unclear if Catherine, Princess of Wales, who announced her illness in March, will be in attendance.
It has been announced by Kensington Palace that Kate will not be attending a rehearsal on June 8.
Lieutenant General James Bucknall, KCB, CBE, would assume her responsibilities as the previous inspecting officer during the customary Colonel’s Review.
