Prince Harry and Meghan Markle have been left out of King Charles III’s Trooping the Colour celebrations for the second consecutive year. The annual event, set for June 15, marks the British monarch’s official birthday and features a grand parade of soldiers, horses, and musicians through the streets of London.
The Duke and Duchess of Sussex, who stepped back from official royal duties in 2020 and now reside in California, did not receive an invitation to this year’s festivities. This follows their exclusion from last year’s event, the first under King Charles’ reign.
In 2018 and 2019, Prince Harry and Meghan participated in Trooping the Colour, attending the event shortly after their royal wedding and again following the birth of their son, Archie. However, their roles within the royal family have dramatically shifted since then.
The Sussexes’ absence has been linked to their ongoing tensions with the royal family. A source told Entertainment Tonight that the couple was not invited to this year’s ceremony, consistent with the strained relationships that have persisted since they departed from royal duties.
King Charles’ decision to exclude his son and daughter-in-law seems to align with the pattern established by Queen Elizabeth II during her Platinum Jubilee celebrations last year. At that time, the Sussexes attended but were notably absent from the Buckingham Palace balcony, a privilege reserved for working members of the royal family.
Earlier this year, Prince Harry returned to London alone for King Charles’ coronation and to give evidence in a legal case against Mirror Group Newspapers. During these visits, he did not meet with his father or brother, underscoring the ongoing distance between him and the royal family.
As King Charles prepares to celebrate his second Trooping the Colour as monarch, the event will be attended by other senior royals, including Prince William, Princess Anne, and Prince Edward. The king will revive the tradition of riding horseback during the parade, a practice not seen since Queen Elizabeth II did it in 1986.
The royal family’s balcony appearance will once again exclude non-working royals, a decision that continues to highlight the family’s divide. Prince Harry and Meghan, meanwhile, are expected to spend the day in California with their children, Archie and Lilibet.
The ongoing saga of the Sussexes’ relationship with the British royal family remains a point of public fascination and speculation, as evidenced by their noticeable absence from key royal events. As the Trooping the Colour approaches, royal watchers will keep a keen eye on the dynamics within the House of Windsor.
