Why Meghan Markle, Prince Harry, Archie, and Lili Won’t Be at 2024’s Trooping the Colour

The royals made a pretty brutal statement here.

The second Trooping the Colour under King Charles III’s reign takes place on Saturday, but don’t expect a surprise royal family reunion with the Duke and Duchess of Sussex. Meghan Markle, Prince Harry, and their two children, Archie and Lilibet, won’t be in the U.K. for the monarch’s annual birthday parade on June 15. The reason why comes from the royal family this time, who didn’t even invite Meghan and Harry to join.

People confirmed on June 4 that for the second year in a row, the couple did not receive an invitation from Harry’s family for Trooping the Colour. The couple will likely spend the day as they do most: living privately in Montecito, California, out of the public eye.

Meghan and Harry’s relationship with the royal family has been publicly strained since the couple stepped back from their working senior royal family member roles in 2020. Harry didn’t even see his father, Charles, when he was in the U.K. this May.

Harry and Meghan’s rep made a rare statement at the time, explaining why. The spokesperson said, “In response to the many inquiries and continued speculation on whether or not the duke will meet with his father while in the U.K. this week, it unfortunately will not be possible due to His Majesty’s full program. The duke of course is understanding of his father’s diary of commitments and various other priorities and hopes to see him soon.”