Prince Harry asked not to invite Barack Obama to his wedding
Prince Harry is asked not to invite a good friend to his wedding to Meghan Markle — because it might upset the US president.
Barack Obama has helped Prince Harry promote the Invictus Games, and the prince chose the former US president to interview on the BBC’s Today Program, which he is guest editing on Wednesday morning local time (tonight AEDT).
But when it comes to his wedding to Meghan Markle, Harry has been told the Obamas should be excluded from the guest list.
Harry has told aides he wants to invite Barack and Michelle Obama to his May 19 wedding. But civil servants reportedly fear that an invitation to the wedding of the year will infuriate Donald Trump, and heighten tensions between the White House and Britain.
Mr Trump has not been invited to the wedding and it is thought he would be furious if Mr Obama met the Queen during his presidency before he did.
British PM Theresa May invited Mr Trump to Britain on a state visit earlier this year but amid fears of widespread protests, he reportedly told her he would not come until he could be guaranteed a better reception.
Relations between the two countries have become strained over recent months: Mrs May rebuked Mr Trump last month after he retweeted videos made by a British far- right group, saying his tweeting was “the wrong thing to do.” She also criticised his decision to recognise Jerusalem as Israel’s capital.
Ms Markle has also made clear she is no fan of the president, tweeting her criticism of Mr Trump during the 2016 presidential race.
A senior government source told the Sun: “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 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 the guest list is drawn up by Buckingham Palace.
Women egged in anti-Semitic attack at Bondi Beach
Three men allegedly set upon a number of women on Saturday night in Sydney's east, throwing eggs at them, with police believing they were targeted because of the clothes they were wearing.
‘Hunted down and locked up’: PM condemns latest anti-Semitic attack
Anthony Albanese has condemned a spate of anti-Semitic hate crimes which has culminated in the discovery of a caravan packed with explosives outside Sydney, declaring the perpetrators 'would not succeed' creating hate and division.