After Meghan Markle and Prince Harry delivered a mixed response to their Coronation invitations, one royal member missed out altogether after being “snubbed”, according to a royal commentator.
The Duke and Duchess of Sussex are set to split for a short while as Harry treks across the pond for his father’s big day while Meghan remains in Montecito with Prince Archie and Princess Lilibet.
According to royal commentator Benjamin Butterworth, the Duchess’ invitation shun leaves an “empty seat” at Westminster Abbey for the reception, and has expressed his shock at a prominent royal figure not being involved.
He says Sarah Ferguson, the ex-wife of Prince Andrew, has been “snubbed” for the occasion in a clear sign that she is no longer a part of the royal “inner circle”.
Benjamin Butterworth says a prominent royal figure has been 'snubbed' from the Coronation
GB News / PA
Speaking on GB News, he said: “Sarah Ferguson is not going to the Coronation despite the fact that Meghan Markle won’t be there.
“So the suggestion is, there’s an empty seat. Could she have had it? Her Children, Eugenie and Beatrice, the princesses, will be there, but they haven’t invited her.
“The question is, why was she snubbed? She was at the Queen’s funeral, so she is going to be watching it at home, at Royal Lodge.
“She was invited to Christmas at Sandringham for the first time in 30 years, so the suggestion was that she was back in the inner circle, but it looks like she’s not.
King Charles is preparing for his CoronationReuters“The rules are so archaic and formal about who is and isn’t invited, and to be honest, she is the ex-wife of like 20-30 years ago.”
The Duchess of York is understood to hold no “ill will” about the decision, who according to sources, is said to not to have expected to attend.
She divorced the King’s younger brother, Prince Andrew in 1996.
He is expected to be at the celebration on 6 May along with more than 2,000 guests who will descend on Westminster Abbey.
Senior royals and politicians worldwide will be present at the event, alongside 450 charity and community representatives.
Royal sources are denying the Duchess of York was snubbed as she has maintained good relations with her royal ex-in laws.
Ferguson adopted two of the late Queen’s corgis after she died last year.
The 63-year-old shares a house with her ex-husband, almost 27 years on from their divorce, but reports are mounting over how much longer this will be the case, with the Duke said to be under pressure to depart Royal Lodge in Windsor.
