Harry and Meghan ‘Not Shocked’ But Hurt by Royal Snub from Balmoral Gathering
Prince Harry and Meghan Markle, the Duke and Duchess of Sussex, are feeling upset but “not shocked” by their exclusion from the royal family’s annual summer gathering at Balmoral Castle. The couple has grown accustomed to being sidelined since stepping back from royal duties in 2020 and relocating to the United States.
This latest snub adds to the ongoing tension between the Sussexes and the British monarchy. Since their departure, King Charles has seen his grandson Archie only a handful of times and met Princess Lilibet just once, during the Platinum Jubilee celebrations for the late Queen Elizabeth in June 2022.
An insider speaking to Closer revealed, “It doesn’t exactly shock Harry and Meghan that they’re not invited considering they’re not even on speaking terms at this point, but it feels very much like a personal attack designed to hurt and embarrass them.” The source added that the exclusion goes beyond just hurt feelings, noting, “There are very ugly repercussions for them when this constant narrative that they’re family outcasts keeps getting fed.”
Former royal butler Grant Harrold weighed in on the situation, telling The Post that the decision to exclude Harry and Meghan would not have been made lightly and was likely based on advice from King Charles’s team. Harrold acknowledged that the Duke and Duchess would understandably find the snub hurtful, saying, “It would show that the relationship between the families has gone over the point of repair.”
Despite the ongoing rift, Harrold believes King Charles remains a family-oriented man, expressing confidence that the king still wishes to see his grandchildren. However, he reassured that the tension between the adults would not directly affect the children.
The annual Balmoral holiday holds deep significance for the royal family. The Scottish estate was a favorite retreat of the late Queen Elizabeth II, who made it a tradition to spend part of her summer there each year. This year, King Charles is determined to uphold that tradition, accompanied by Prince William, Kate Middleton, and their three children.
For Harry and Meghan, this latest exclusion from Balmoral underscores the ongoing estrangement from the royal family, a situation that continues to fuel speculation about the future of their relationship with the monarchy. As the royal family gathers in Scotland, the absence of the Duke and Duchess of Sussex speaks volumes about the current state of affairs within the House of Windsor.