Prince Harry, Meghan Markle’s invited guests don’t include Trump, Turnbull, May, Obama

Prince Harry and Meghan Markle have not invited political leaders to their wedding. That means US President Donald Trump, former US president Barack Obama, British Prime Minister Theresa May and even Australian Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull did not receive a coveted invitation to the event of the year.

Deviating from the norm, the couple has decided not to invite political leaders and go with people they have a direct relationship with instead. Even Britain’s own PM, May, and the leaders of the Commonwealth nations — including Australia’s Turnbull, New Zealand’s Bill English and Canada’s Justin Trudeau — did not receive an invite. Trump and his predecessor, Obama, were also left out.

Even though Obama and wife Michelle are friendly with Harry, that still didn’t warrant an invitation to the prince’s big day with his American fiancée. Nevertheless, reports claim that Harry and Meghan will meet with the Obamas in the near future in a more informal setting.

“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,” a spokesperson for Kensington Palace said.

In contrast, Prince William and Kate Middleton invited UK and foreign heads to their 2011 wedding. The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge, as the future king and consort, perhaps had less freedom with their invites list.

The 600 people fortunate enough to receive an invite likely include Harry and Meghan’s close friends. Kensington Palace has also released some of the names of the people chosen to join the crowds inside the grounds of Windsor Castle.

The names include Philip Gillespie from Northern Ireland, who lost his right leg in an IED accident in Afghanistan; mother and daughter duo Catherine Cooke and Julie-Ann Coll, who have been nominated for their charity work; Rashid Bhayat, a CEO of the Positive Youth Foundation charity; 12-year-old amputee Jorja Furze, who is an ambassador for the Steel Bones charity; 14-year-old Reuben Litherland, who works to raise awareness of the deaf community’s needs to access public services; and 12-year-old Amelia Thompson, who survived the Manchester Arena attack in 2017.

Harry and Meghan recently asked well-wishers to donate to their chosen charities instead of sending them wedding gifts. They will wed on May 19 at St George’s Chapel at Windsor Castle.