Prince Harry is set to reportedly skip Hugh Grosvenor, the Duke of Westminster's upcoming lavish wedding. The nobleman's much-anticipated nuptials with Olivia Henson on June 7, will find William, Prince of Wales, as the only royal representative.
A source close to the Grosvenor family spoke out, calling the snub "so sad" due to the fiery-haired prince and nobleman having been "so close" growing up together.
The insider shared how Grosvenor "is a lot closer in age to Harry, whereas William is eight or nine years older."
They added: "When they were growing up, Harry and Hugh were much closer. Hugh was a young boy when William was in his late teens and early twenties. That’s why this has all come as such a shock."
Of the nuptials, which have been billed as Britain's "society wedding of the year," a friend of the bride and groom stated: "It means a lot to the couple to be getting married at Chester Cathedral, it is where they will be putting down roots for the future. They are making a conscious effort to involve local and regional suppliers in several aspects of their day. The couple are incredibly grateful for the support and messages of congratulations they have received, especially from people in the region."
Sources also report that King Charles III and Kate, Princess of Wales, are likely not attending due to their ongoing cancer treatments. All of the future queen and William's children will be in school, which ends rumors that hoped for a Prince George appearance on his godfather's big day. As for Harry, insiders and experts predict his snubbing of the event is "self-explanatory" due to his acrimonious relations with his family.
"Harry and Meghan obviously probably have no intention of flying 5,000 miles to go to a wedding.It's the society wedding of the year when that society doesn't want to know them — especially Meghan," royal expert Ingrid Seward told a publication about the numerous snubs. "I should think I mean the last thing Meghan wanted to do was to fly to the U.K. — where she's deeply unpopular — and be put on show, if you like, which she would be."
"To give them their credit, they knew that their presence there would actually deflect completely from the bride and groom, and that often happens when royalty goes to a wedding," she added.
There is also a concern that any appearance from the Duke of Sussex or the Duchess of Sussex, and "certainly both," could detract from what the British aristocracy "hope is a popular event all on its own."
Daily Express reported on the insider revelations.