Tensions are high in the British royal family as news breaks that Prince Harry and Meghan, the Duke and Duchess of Sussex, have been barred from attending this year's Trooping the Colour celebration. The annual event, which marks the Queen's official birthday, has long been a highlight of the royal calendar, with the entire family gathering on the balcony of Buckingham Palace to wave to adoring crowds.
However, this year's festivities are shaping up to be anything but festive for the estranged Sussexes. A palace source, speaking on the condition of anonymity, confirmed that King Charles III has personally decided not to invite the couple to take part in the traditional balcony appearance. "His Majesty has made it clear that only working members of the royal family will be present on the balcony this year," the insider revealed. Given Harry and Meghan's decision to step back from royal duties, they do not fall into that category.
The news has undoubtedly left the Sussexes fuming. Just last month, Harry and Meghan made a surprise appearance at the coronation of King Charles, their first joint outing with the royal family since their dramatic exit in 2020. Many observers had hoped the olive branch of an invitation to the historic ceremony might pave the way for a reconciliation. However, it seems the wounds are still too fresh and the tensions too high for the couple to be welcomed back into the fold.
A spokesperson for the Sussexes did not mince words in their response to the Trooping the Colour snub. "The Duke and Duchess of Sussex are disappointed to not be included in the celebrations this year," the statement read. "They were hopeful that this historic occasion would provide an opportunity for the family to come together, but it appears that certain members and the institution as a whole are not yet ready to heal the rift." The statement went on to accuse the royal household of continued public ostracization of the couple, warning that such actions would only serve to deepen the divide and undermine the work of healing that needs to be done.
Supporters of the Sussexes have rallied to their defense, with many taking to social media to condemn the decision. "This is just cruel and petty," tweeted one fan. "Harry and Meghan deserve to be there with their family." Another commented, "The Queen must be turning in her grave to see her own flesh and blood treated this way." However, defenders of the royal family have fired back, arguing that Harry and Meghan have only themselves to blame for the frosty reception. "They walked away from their duties, trashed the institution, and continue to publicly air their grievances," wrote one critic. "Why on Earth should they be welcomed back with open arms?"
The debate has reignited long-simmering tensions within the British public, with many still bitterly divided over Megxit and the Sussexes' decision to step down as senior royals. Some see the couple as victims of an outdated, prejudiced system, while others view them as entitled, attention-seeking troublemakers.
Intriguingly, the Trooping the Colour snub comes just weeks after Harry and Meghan made a surprise appearance at the coronation of King Charles. Their attendance at the historic event was viewed by many as a potential olive branch, a sign that the family might be on the path to reconciliation. However, it seems that the wounds are still too raw, the distrust too deep for the couple to be welcomed back with open arms.
Royal commentators have speculated that the decision to exclude the Sussexes from the Trooping the Colour balcony was a calculated move by the king, designed to send a clear message about the new hierarchy within the monarchy. With Prince William and Kate, the Prince and Princess of Wales, now firmly established as the face of the future, there appears to be little room for the renegade Sussexes. "This is Charles flexing his muscles and making it clear who's in charge now," said one royal insider. "Harry and Meghan may have been able to steal the spotlight during the Queen's reign, but those days are over. The new king wants to project a united, streamlined image of the monarchy, and that doesn't include the Sussexes."
