Prince Harry and Meghan Markle recently marked their eighth wedding anniversary, with the Duchess of Sussex taking to Instagram to share never-before-seen images from their special day.
However, while friends and fans of the couple wished them a happy anniversary, they did not get a notice or shout-out from any member of the royal family.
Insiders now claim this move from the palace stunned Prince Harry and Meghan as their rift with the monarchy continues to grow.
On May 19, Harry and Meghan took a trip down memory lane as they celebrated their wedding anniversary on social media by releasing new images and videos from the special event.
But despite how huge the milestone was for the Montecito-based royals, their family members in the UK did not acknowledge their anniversary, completely snubbing the couple.
According to a royal source who spoke with InTouch, this decision left Harry and Meghan feeling disappointed, especially with King Charles in particular, whom they were allegedly hoping would use the opportunity to extend a public olive branch, amid the duke’s calls for reconciliation.
“In an ideal world, they would have gotten a public message from the king,” the insider told the news outlet. “They never would have expected anything from the Waleses, but they were hoping Charles might extend some sort of olive branch to signify to everyone that they are back in the fold.”
Charles is said to have been warming up to the idea of Harry and Meghan rejoining the royal family, but his latest move to ignore them seems to signal a change of heart toward the Sussexes.
“The fact that he not only ignored their big day publicly but also privately was a massive slap in the face,” the insider continued, noting that “it has left Harry completely shocked and depressed.”
The Snub From The Royal Family Reportedly Has Meghan Markle Questioning Their UK Return
It’s since been rumored that Harry and Meghan might make a major return to the UK this summer as the Duke of Sussex seeks to reconcile with the royal family.
However, the recent cold shoulder they received from senior royals on their wedding day is said to have left Meghan especially concerned about their trip due to how “awkward” things might end up being.
“He’s now got Meghan questioning him on just how awkward their trip to the U.K. will be,” a source told the news outlet. “She’s taking this as proof they aren’t wanted, and it’s got Harry wondering the same thing, which has just gutted him.”
While the Sussexes may be disappointed with the lack of a shout-out from the royal family, Prince William, on the other hand, is allegedly “thrilled” that Charles “swerved” the couple by ignoring them.
“He’s bragging that it’s a sign he’s one step closer to getting Harry booted,” the source added.
Prince Harry Signals Willingness To Rebuild Ties With King Charles
After Harry and Meghan’s recent successful trip to Australia, sources share that the couple felt deeply encouraged about their value and star power due to the positive reception they got from the public.
Now, there are stronger indications that Harry is open to rebuilding ties with his father, Charles.
According to The Express, sources claim Harry believes “the royals need him and Meghan flying the flag for the monarchy, especially with all the negativity they’ve endured from the Andrew scandal.”
The insider added: “He believes it’s time to embrace this new chapter together and he’s ready to sit down with his father and make that happen, hopefully in a couple of months when he next returns to the UK.”
During their time in Australia, the couple focused on issues such as mental health, community resilience, and support for veterans and their families. Meghan also attended a high-profile women’s retreat at InterContinental Sydney Coogee Beach, where attendees paid premium prices for access to the event.
Meghan has not properly returned to the UK since attending Queen Elizabeth II’s funeral in 2022, and their children, Prince Archie and Princess Lilibet, have not visited since the Jubilee celebrations that same year.
Harry, however, is expected to travel to the UK in June ahead of the Invictus Games Birmingham countdown, and is likely to make the trip solo.
The Duke’s Hopes For Family Reunion Face Hurdles Amid Security And Royal Protocol Challenges
Looking ahead, Harry is also said to be hoping for a more personal reunion with the royal family, potentially bringing his children to see their grandfather at Sandringham Estate during the summer.
However, this is also in doubt, as Charles did not meet with the Sussexes during his recent visit to the United States.
Royal editor Emily Nash has pointed out that “however much the King may want to be reunited with his youngest son and his grandchildren,” practical barriers remain.
According to Hello! Magazine, she explained that any potential reunion in the UK is complicated by ongoing issues, including Harry’s security arrangements and his legal case against Associated Newspapers, which continue to complicate any potential reunion.
Nash added that the structure of the monarchy also plays a role. Even if the Sussexes were granted full-time security in the UK, their position outside official royal duties “could prove to be a headache the King doesn’t need right now.”
Prince William Reportedly Maintains Distance From Prince Harry Amid Ongoing Rift And Trust Concerns
Meanwhile, Harry’s relationship with his brother, Prince William, appears to remain strained. Reports suggest that attempts to reconnect have been met with a “wall of silence,” with little communication between the two since 2022.
Commentators describe William’s approach as deliberate, with British broadcaster Helena Chard telling Fox News Digital that it has become more of a “permanent Royal reset” in how he handles the relationship as he “regards his brother as totally untrustworthy.”
Royal expert Richard Fitzwilliams has also suggested that issues of trust remain central to the divide, while Roya Nikkhah noted that William is known to remember where loyalties lie.
As he prepares for his future role, William is believed to be focused on stability and preserving the structure of the monarchy.
While some have described his stance as firm or even “ruthless,” others view it as a reflection of his commitment to accountability and the long-term direction of the institution.
