Prince Harry and Meghan Markle are reportedly feeling “hurt but not shocked” after being excluded from the royal family’s annual summer gathering at Balmoral Castle. According to sources, the Duke and Duchess of Sussex have grown accustomed to being left out of royal events since stepping back from their roles in 2020 and relocating to the United States.
A Growing Distance Between the Sussexes and the Royal Family
The couple’s absence from Balmoral is the latest in a series of snubs that have kept them distanced from the rest of the royal family. King Charles, who is battling cancer, has seen his grandson Prince Archie, 5, only a handful of times and has met his granddaughter, Princess Lilibet, just once—during the Platinum Jubilee celebrations for the late Queen Elizabeth in June 2022.
A source close to the couple told Closer: “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 Impact on the Sussexes
The exclusion from Balmoral reportedly impacts more than just the couple’s feelings. According to insiders, it affects their brand and morale, increasing their sense of being family outcasts. “They’re now being forced to figure out a strategy to fight back,” the source added, hinting at the possibility of Meghan releasing a tell-all where she shares her side of the story.
Grant Harrold, a former royal butler who worked for Charles for seven years, emphasized the weight of the decision to exclude Harry and Meghan. “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 told The Post.
King Charles’ Commitment to Family Traditions
Despite the ongoing rift, King Charles appears committed to maintaining the traditions established by his late mother, Queen Elizabeth II. Balmoral Castle, a favored residence of the late Queen, continues to serve as the royal family’s retreat during the summer. This year, Charles and Queen Camilla were joined by the Prince and Princess of Wales and their three children, along with other family members, for a vacation filled with walks in the Scottish Highlands, family cookouts, horse-riding, and board games.
Harrold also noted that while the Sussexes may be excluded from family events, Charles remains a devoted grandfather: “One thing that would be agreed is that the grandchildren will not be impacted by this feud.”
Ongoing Strain in Royal Relations
The exclusion of Harry and Meghan from Balmoral underscores the deepening divide between the Sussexes and the rest of the royal family. As tensions persist, the possibility of reconciliation seems increasingly remote, with each snub further straining the already fragile relationships.
As the Sussexes navigate their public image and future in the wake of this latest slight, the rift within the royal family continues to capture public attention, leaving many to wonder what the next chapter in this ongoing saga will bring.
