British Government pleads with Prince Harry not to invite Barack Obama to his wedding

PRINCE Harry’s upcoming nuptials are a bit of a diplomatic nightmare. He’s been asked by the government to snub his very famous friends.

BRITISH government bureaucrats are urging Prince Harry not to invite the Obamas to his wedding for fear of infuriating Donald Trump.

Harry and fiancee Meghan Markle have told aides they want the former US president and wife Michelle at their big day on May 19, according to The Sun.

The 33-year-old prince has become good friends with the Obamas since bonding with them during the Invictus Games.

But Britain’s relations with Trump’s White House have sunk to their lowest ebb since his election last year.

The property billionaire does not hide his loathing of Mr Obama and is expected to be enraged if his predecessor gets the coveted call up when he won’t.

The young Royal couple’s dislike of the new president is well known.

Meghan Markle and Prince Harry attend a Christmas Day church service

Meghan made disparaging comments about him on social media during his election campaign last year.

There are deep fears among senior Foreign Office and No10 officials that another perceived national snub will make it impossible for British PM Theresa May to meaningfully engage with Trump.

A senior government source said: “Harry has made it clear he wants the Obamas at the wedding, so it’s causing a lot of nervousness.

“Trump could react very badly if the Obamas get to a Royal wedding before he has had a chance to meet the Queen.

“Conversations are ongoing about (it) and ministers will eventually have to decide. If the PM lays down the law, Harry will just have to suck it up.”

As the wedding is not a state occasion, the Government only has a consultative role in its organisation and heads of state will not be invited.

The guest list is instead being drawn up in full by Buckingham Palace rather than the Department of Culture, Media and Sport — which presides over national events such as state funerals.

Tensions with Trump are at a high after a series of rows between him and the British PM in the last few months.

It took him 13 days to call back Ms May after she branded him wrong to retweet far right propaganda, and condemned his decision to recognise the disputed city of Jerusalem as Israel’s capital.

President Donald Trump shakes hands with British Prime Minister Theresa May during the United Nations General Assembly in New York

In another sign of their friendship, Mr Obama 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 T oday Programme, which he guest edits.

Prince Harry interviews former US President Barack Obama for BBC Radio 4

This article was originally published onThe Sunand is reproduced with permission.