It took months for the British media to acknowledge it, but here we are: they are all in agreement that Hugh Grosvenor, the Duke of Westminster, did invite the Sussexes to his June wedding. Alongside that acknowledgement, that fact, surely the British media would like to admit that Kensington Palace blatantly lied last December, when they claimed that Grosvenor “chose” to invite Prince William but not Harry, that Hugh’s wedding is all about William? Of course not. These people have just effortlessly segued to “why is Harry snubbing Hugh” and “Harry is so jealous that William will be a wedding usher!” And don’t forget this Daily Mail column, written by Liz Jones: “Why Britain’s poshest wedding is the perfect time for William to make amends with Harry.” How absolutely embarrassing. Some highlights:
An acknowledgement that the Sussexes were invited to the wedding: The only sad note is that Prince Harry, one of Hugh’s oldest friends, won’t be there grinning, hugging and blowing kisses. Harry and Meghan were sent a ‘save the date’ but have since declined. Not a decision they’d make lightly. Hugh, after all, is Prince Archie’s godfather. Whatever the Duke of Westminster made of it in private, it seems he’s not insisted that his mate, the prince, attend.
Sadness over the wedding: As a friend of Harry told The Times: ‘It’s incredibly sad it has come to this. Hugh is one of the very few close friends of William and Harry who has maintained strong bonds… with both. He wishes they could put their heads together and patch things up but realises it’s unlikely to happen before the wedding. He wanted to avoid anything overshadowing the day, especially for Olivia, and doesn’t want any awkwardness.’
Weddings should be about family, including the Sussex children: Weddings are when family and friends should put aside any differences, any squabbles, and turn up with a smile on their faces (wedding gifts are, understandably, banned on this occasion). It is not about YOU, it is about the happy couple. I, for one, would love to see little Archie and sister Lili all dressed up and would happily spend hours dissecting Meghan’s outfit. I can only imagine she’s gagging to attend: who wouldn’t want to see inside Eaton Hall?
Hugh was worried about the Sussexes’ star power? Perhaps the Duke of Westminster is worried the star power of Harry and Meghan will cause a distraction, a media circus. He has always protected his privacy. But I doubt a young man with several hundred years of inherited wealth and privilege in his back pocket possesses such a fragile ego. It’s such a shame, a lost opportunity. Front page photographs of William and Harry suited and booted, slapping each other on the back would have brought about a national sigh of relief after so many difficult years. Forget the Euros, Wimbledon, the Olympic Games in Paris: that would have been the spirit-lifting image of the summer. If even they can bury the hatchet, then so can we heal the rifts in our own lives. But no.
Would William throw a hissy fit if Harry attended? Weddings and funerals are when you grow up and show up. Would William really throw a hissy fit if Harry came along? I doubt it, he’s much stronger than that. Any serious illness lends perspective. You hug everyone closer. William knows he has bigger worries in his personal life right now.
This is the whole point of it: “I, for one, would love to see little Archie and sister Lili all dressed up and would happily spend hours dissecting Meghan’s outfit. I can only imagine she’s gagging to attend: who wouldn’t want to see inside Eaton Hall?” They’re mad that they can’t see, photograph and abuse the Sussexes. They’re mad that Harry and Meghan don’t give a f–k about their grand society weddings and the Sussexes would rather protect their peace. They’re mad that they can’t use the Sussexes as scapegoats and shields for whatever is happening with William and the Princess of Wales. Kate will not attend the wedding either, and the Wales kids will likely be missing from the wedding too. That’s what so much of this is about – it looks increasingly stark for William to go solo for months on end.
Photos courtesy of Cover Images, Avalon Red.
Prince Charles, The Prince of Wales, Royal Honorary Colonel The Queen's Own Yeomanry, attends a consecration service and presents a new Guidon to The Queen’s Own Yeomanry during a parade at Bramham Park, Bramham.,Image: 387915817, License: Rights-managed, Restrictions: , Model Release: no, Pictured: Hugh Grosvenor,Duke of Westminser, Credit line: John Rainford / Wenn / Avalon 
Celebrity arrivals att he World Premiere of Our Planet held at the Natural History Museum,Image: 424339108, License: Rights-managed, Restrictions: , Model Release: no 
Britain’s Prince William, Prince Harry, left, and Meghan Markle arrive to attend a Service of Thanksgiving and Commemoration on ANZAC Day at Westminster Abbey in London, Wednesday, April 25, 2018.,Image: 515007335, License: Rights-managed, Restrictions: NO UK USE FOR SEVEN DAYS – Fee Payable Upon Reproduction – For queries contact Avalon.red – sales@avalon.red London: +44 (0) 20 7421 6000 Los Angeles: +1 (310) 822 0419 Berlin: +49 (0) 30 76 212 251 Madrid: +34 91 533 4289, Model Release: no, Credit line: – / Avalon
Prince and Princess of Wales (William and Kate) attend Crown Prince Al Hussein bin Abdullah II’s Royal Wedding Banquet at Al Husseinieh Palace in Amman, Jordan, on June 1st, 2023. Featuring: William, Prince of Wales and Catherine, Princess of Wales Where: Amman, Jordan When: 01 Jun 2023 Credit: Abaca Press/INSTARimages **NORTH AMERICA RIGHTS ONLY** 
Jordan’s Crown Prince Al Hussein bin Abdullah II’s Royal Wedding at Zahran Palace in Amman, Jordan Featuring: Catherine, Princess Of Wales, Prince William Where: Amman, Jordan When: 01 Jun 2023 Credit: Nieboer/DDP/INSTARimages **USA RIGHTS ONLY** 
Jordan’s Crown Prince Al Hussein bin Abdullah II’s Royal Wedding at Zahran Palace in Amman, Jordan Featuring: Catherine, Princess Of Wales, Prince William Where: Amman, Jordan When: 01 Jun 2023 Credit: Nieboer/DDP/INSTARimages **USA RIGHTS ONLY**
Prince William of Wales and Catherine Princess of Wales during the dinner banquet on Crown Prince Al Hussein bin Abdullah II and Princess Rajwa their Royal Wedding at Zahran Palace in Amman, Jordan. Featuring: William, Prince of Wales and Catherine, Princess of Wales Where: Amman, Jordan When: 01 Jun 2023 Credit: Dutch Press Photo/Cover Images **NOT AVAILABLE FOR PUBLICATION IN THE NETHERLANDS OR FRANCE** 
The Duchess of Cambridge with the Duke and Duchess of Sussex at the wedding of Princess Eugenie to Jack Brooksbank at St George’s Chapel in Windsor Castle. 
The Duchess of Sussex and the Duke of Sussex after the wedding of Princess Eugenie to Jack Brooksbank at St George’s Chapel in Windsor Castle.,Image: 534311896, License: Rights-managed, Restrictions: NO UK USE FOR SEVEN DAYS – Fee Payable Upon Reproduction – For queries contact Avalon.red – sales@avalon.red London: +44 (0) 20 7421 6000 Los Angeles: +1 (310) 822 0419 Berlin: +49 (0) 30 76 212 251 Madrid: +34 91 533 4289, Model Release: no, Credit line: – / AvalonncG1vNJzZmivp6x7pLHLnpmirJOdxm%2BvzqZmcW9jaoZ4e8yaoKWXpJ2yoL%2FUrKqesJWorLW0xKKpmJuYnrmlvsSnlqygn6q5pavAraueppSUtbazx5ieq6ejq7Kvu9GslrCdlJm2r7OO