Prince Harry and Meghan Markle won’t be joining King Charles for his first Trooping the Colour ceremony as monarch, People reports, and it’s not because they’re busy with baby birthday celebrations, as Meghan was during the king’s coronation last month. According to the outlet, the Duke and Duchess of Sussex weren’t invited to this year’s ceremony, which will take place this Saturday, June 17.
Trooping the Colour is an annual summer celebration in honor of the monarch’s birthday, which dates back to 17th century. (Charles’s actual birthday is in November. He’s a Scorpio.) The whole affair is a big to-do with a parade, a flypast from the Royal Air Force, and a choreographed balcony wave. Last year the ceremony took place during Queen Elizabeth’s Platinum Jubilee, which celebrated her 70 years on the British throne. Meghan and Harry made a subtle appearance alongside the queen and other members of the royal family.
As they are no longer working members of the royal family, it’s not unexpected that Meghan and Harry would not attend Trooping the Colour. Per People, both Buckingham Palace and the Duke and Duchess of Sussex’s office had no comment.
Meghan Markle and Prince Harry attended the queen’s Trooping the Colour ceremonies in 2018 and 2019, before they stepped back from their roles. The celebration was scaled back due to the pandemic in 2020 and 2021.
