Michelle Obama’s Secret Role in Harry and Meghan’s Romance—and Why She Wasn’t Invited to the Wedding
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Former First Lady Michelle Obama reportedly played an unexpected role in the royal romance between Prince Harry and Meghan Markle. According to sources, Obama helped introduce the couple, yet despite her matchmaking efforts, she wasn’t invited to their wedding in 2018. This came as a surprise, considering the strong bond between Michelle and Harry, who first met in 2015 through their mutual passion for the Invictus Games.
Harry and former President Barack Obama also developed a close friendship, often seen laughing together at public events. A source revealed, “Michelle had a hand in introducing Harry to Meghan.” Reportedly, the former First Lady helped facilitate the pair’s first meeting in 2016. Prince Harry, in particular, was keen to have the Obamas attend the wedding, and the source added, “In his mind, there wouldn’t be a wedding without her and that is reason enough to invite them.
He was not happy such a legitimate reason was ignored.” However, the decision to exclude the Obamas from the guest list was not personal. At the time of Harry and Meghan’s wedding in 2018, Donald Trump was president of the United States, and inviting his predecessor could have sparked diplomatic tensions.
As The Mirror reported, the royal couple’s dislike for Trump played a role in the delicate decision-making process. A Kensington Palace spokesperson explained, “It has been decided that an official list of political leaders—both UK and international—is not required for Prince Harry and Ms Markle’s wedding.” The UK government had been consulted on this decision to avoid any political complications.
The reasoning behind the exclusion of political figures, including the Obamas, was straightforward: Prince Harry wasn’t in line to become king. Since Harry had no direct path to the throne, the wedding didn’t require the presence of high-profile political guests such as the Obamas, President Trump, or then-UK Prime Minister Theresa May, as per Newsweek.
Despite the snub, the Obamas have maintained a warm relationship with Harry and Meghan. In 2019, Michelle Obama referred to Markle as a “friend” and an “inspiration” for her charitable work, particularly with the Obama Foundation. Meghan even interviewed Michelle for a special issue of British Vogue that she guest-edited, praising the former First Lady for her “frank” and “down-to-earth” nature.
After Harry and Meghan’s revealing interview with Oprah Winfrey in 2021, Michelle Obama weighed in, saying, “Public service, it’s a bright, sharp, hot spotlight and most people don’t understand it nor should they… The thing that I always keep in mind is that none of this is about us, in public service, it’s about the people that we serve.”
