The royal wedding is all set to take place in May next year and news is that Prince Harry is being urged not to invite the Obamas to the wedding, due to the fear of upsetting US President Donald Trump.
The Sun reported that Prince Harry and his fiancée Meghan Markle have informed aides that they want the former US president and his wife to attend the wedding on 19 May.
“Harry has made it clear that he wants the Obamas at the wedding,” a senior government source said, adding that “Trump could react very badly if the Obamas get to a Royal wedding before he has had a chance to meet the Queen.”
Prince Harry developed a close relationship with the former president during the Invictus Games.
Mr Obama had earlier tweeted his congratulations to the pair when their engagement was announced last month, saying he and the former first lady were “delighted”.
The 44th American president added: “We wish you a lifetime of joy and happiness together.”
Prince Harry has also interviewed Mr Obama for BBC Radio 4’s Today Programme, which he guest edits on Wednesday.
With relations with the US worsening, there is a fear among senior Foreign Office and No10 officials that a royal wedding snub will make it impossible to British PM Theresa May to engage with Trump.
The royal wedding is not a state occasion and the government can only offer consultations on the heads of state who will be invited.
The wedding guest list is instead being drawn up by Buckingham Palace rather than the Department of Culture, Media and Sport, which presides over national events such as state funerals.
I am not a great admirer of Obama except for his oratorial skills, his not being invited to the royal wedding would be misconstrued as discrimination on the basis colour, race and religion. The royal advice seems ill considered.
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