Prince Harry, Meghan Markle hurt over Balmoral invite snub
Prince Harry and Meghan Markle are hurt but “not shocked” over the royal family’s decision to snub them from the Firm’s annual summer gathering at Balmoral Castle, according to a report.
The Duke and Duchess of Sussex have been excluded from invitations to a vast majority of events since quitting royal life in 2020 and moving to the US.
Cancer-stricken King Charles has seen Prince Archie, 5, on just a few occasions — and has only met Princess Lilibet in person once.
Still, it seems as though the monarch, 75, is not looking to see the Sussexes anytime soon.
“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,” a source told Closer.
“It’s not just about pride or hurt feelings, there are very ugly repercussions for them when this constant narrative that they’re family outcasts keeps getting fed.”
Charles only met Lilibet — nicknamed Lili — for the first time during the Platinum Jubilee celebrations for the late Queen Elizabeth in June 2022.
“It is not a decision that would have been taken lightly, it would be a decision made by the advice of his team,” Grant Harrold, the monarch’s former royal butler, exclusively told The Post.
“If they have been snubbed, Harry and Meghan would not be too happy, they would find it hurtful. It would show that the relationship between the families has gone over the point of repair.”
Harrold, who had worked for Charles for seven years, said he has “no doubt the king wants to see his grandchildren as he is a family man.”
“One thing that would be agreed is that the grandchildren will not be impacted by this feud,” the former royal staffer added.
An insider told Closer that the snub “impacts [Harry and Meghan’s] brand as well as their morale, and it has the potential to put them more at risk.”
“They’re now being forced to figure out a strategy to fight back, and one option on the table is to go all out with a big tell-all from Meghan where she completely lays out her side of the story,” the source added.
Charles and his wife, Queen Camilla, like to vacation in the Scottish countryside each year.
The stunning castle was a known favorite residence of the late Queen Elizabeth II, who kick-started the annual tradition of vacationing there during her reign.
Charles was keen to continue his late mother’s tradition, with the Prince and Princess of Wales, as well as their three children, joining in on the fun this year.
There, the royals enjoy picturesque walks in the Scottish Highlands, as well as family cookouts, horse-riding and board games.
The Duke and Duchess of Edinburgh, the Duke and Duchess of York, as well as Zara and Mike Tindall also visit the castle in the summer.
