The Trooping of the Colour, which has marked the British Sovereign’s official birthday for more than 260 years, will take place this weekend in London.
The ceremony involves thousands of soldiers, horses, and musicians performing a grand display of precision marching.
However, this year’s celebration will be different as Prince Charles will celebrate his first birthday as monarch, and for the first time in history, Prince Harry and Meghan Markle, the Duke and Duchess of Sussex, will not be in attendance.
According to Richard Eden, a columnist for the Daily Mail, Harry and Meghan have not been invited to the event, making it the first time Harry hasn’t attended the monarch’s official birthday celebrations.
A source revealed that this was a reflection of the current state of relations between the couple and the royal family.
For 35 years, Harry always secured a spot on the Palace balcony during the Trooping of the Colour, even making his debut appearance before he turned one.
In 2019, Harry and Meghan made their last appearance on the famous balcony before stepping down as senior royals.
They attended the event again, watching from Major General’s Office at Horse Guards Parade.
Although they weren’t allowed out onto the Palace balcony afterwards, they were still considered “much loved” members of the family.
However, this year, Harry will be nowhere to be seen during the event.
Only the remaining frontline members of the royal family, including the Wales family, Edward and Sophie, the Duke and Duchess of Edinburgh, and the seven other card-carrying HRHs, will proceed onto the balcony to grace the masses with their presence.
Moreover, the Sussexes’ little ones, Prince Archie and Princess Lilibet, will also not be part of the day in any way, shape, or form.
This marks a significant deviation from the norm, as the Trooping of the Colour has always been an event where the entire royal family can gather to celebrate the monarch’s official birthday.
The absence of the Duke and Duchess of Sussex is a reflection of the current state of relations between them and the royal family.
However, it remains unclear whether their absence from the event is merely due to the ongoing pandemic or something more significant.
Prince Harry and Meghan Markle have been living in the United States since stepping down as senior royals last year.
They have been vocal about their struggles with the British media and have accused the royal family of racism and neglect.
Their recent interview with Oprah Winfrey also revealed further issues that they faced while working as members of the British monarchy.
This year’s Trooping of the Colour will undoubtedly be a significant event for Prince Charles, marking his first birthday as monarch.
However, it will also serve as a reminder of the ongoing tensions within the royal family and the absence of two prominent members.
