Harry and Meghan: Wedding Suggestions and Musings

[Abbigail]

And here I thought the actual embarrassment would be the government intervening in a private wedding out of fear of a current president's feelings being hurt.

Also not sure why some want to downplay the relationship between Harry and the Obamas. They may not be the closest of friends but it's pretty clear to me based on their interaction, that Harry as an obvious affinity for the Obamas and vice versa, enough so that they would be invited to the wedding.

[Cocoasneeze]

Sorry, if this is too OT, but this is a mess, only because trump is a mess, and acts like a toddler when he doesn't get his way. Was there any fuss when the Obamas weren't invited to Will and Kate's wedding? No, because it's not a big deal, and it didn't create any political or diplomatic issues.

I feel bad that this wedding and the wedding list is painted as some sort of diplomatic and political standing point, and it all lies on Harry and Meghan to soothe a toddler so he doesn't have a tantrum, and doesn't risk the relationship between two countries.

[Osipi]

To be honest here, is it going to shake the world whether or not the guest list includes anyone we're talking about? Frankly, I could care less who attends or doesn't attend. Its Harry and Meghan's choice. Its their wedding. Its their parties. We're just lucky we're going to be included as much as we are getting to watch it all.

I think we can safely let the Trump/Obama conversation take its last breath.

[Leopoldine]

Originally Posted by Cocoasneeze

Sorry, if this is too OT, but this is a mess, only because trump is a mess, and acts like a toddler when he doesn't get his way. Was there any fuss when the Obamas weren't invited to Will and Kate's wedding? No, because it's not a big deal, and it didn't create any political or diplomatic issues.

I feel bad that this wedding and the wedding list is painted as some sort of diplomatic and political standing point, and it all lies on Harry and Meghan to soothe a toddler so he doesn't have a tantrum, and doesn't risk the relationship between two countries.

I don't think that the Royal Family is worrying about Trump, and he's not worried about them. His wife met Harry briefly in Canada, I didn't see any fistfights, so let's move on.

Both the Trumps and the BRF know that a sitting US President's presence would be a big problem at a BRF Windsor Castle wedding. There was never a question of The Donald going to the wedding. He knows why, he's not stupid.

Obama can go, he just can't land a helicopter in Windsor Great Park now. He's going to have to Uber from the airport.


Nancy Reagan came to Prince Charles's wedding, and Prince Andrew's and both times it involved hundreds of support personnel and security/policing staff. And, it was just her and not The President.

[Leopoldine]

Originally Posted by Abbigail

And here I thought the actual embarrassment would be the government intervening in a private wedding out of fear of a current president's feelings being hurt.

Also not sure why some want to downplay the relationship between Harry and the Obamas. They may not be the closest of friends but it's pretty clear to me based on their interaction, that Harry as an obvious affinity for the Obamas and vice versa, enough so that they would be invited to the wedding.

The Obamas should be invited. Trump won't care. He knows of the bond Harry has with the Obamas. Trump isn't really a social guy either. he hates to get stuck hob-nobbing.

[Countessmeout]

To get back on a different track and away from Obama/Trump, going back to the last non-political conversation.

Originally Posted by Madame Verseau

The bride giving a speech at the reception is a more recent American wedding custom. I figured some elements of an American wedding would be incorporated. I wouldn't be surprised Meghan wears a garter but it won't get tossed.

Yes, traditionally speeches are male dominated. Father of the bride, groom and best man would give speeches. It is becoming more common now for a bride to also give a speech. But the suggestion here was that the first speech be given by Meghan instead of the father of the bride. Traditionally the father of the bride would kick off speeches as it customarily was the bride's family hosting the wedding. So he would be welcoming everyone. If Tom is not comfortable, they may simply skip over it, or perhaps both Tom and Doria (real break with tradition) may.

Another safe story for tabloids. As we wont have any videos of the reception, not much way to contest.

Though I would laugh to see it happen at a royal wedding, the garter is not 'an American' custom. The whole 'garter toss' spectacle is mainly though.

Wedding Garter Traditions

[MARG]

There are so many false expectations of Harry and Meghan's wedding. In the British Royal Family, there are three types of wedding, State, Semi-State and Private.

Prince Charles, as the heir, had a State wedding and foreign Heads of Heads of State were invited.

Prince William, as the heir's heir, had a semi-State wedding and Heads of Commonwealth Countries were invited.

Prince Harry, as fifth in line to the throne, is having a Private wedding and the government and foreign office is not involved.

So, who will we see? Family, royal and non-royal, perhaps extended royal family. Friends from school, Sandhurst, the Blues and Royals, Army Air Corp, Invictus games, The Foundation, and many others we don't know.

Celebrities because they know so many and have worked with so many. William and Harry met many celebrities growing up due to their Father's creation and work with The Princes Trust and now, as adults, their own Foundation Charities as well.

Then there are Meghan family and friends, the details of which we do not know.

So, no snubs to all the politicians and Heads of State or Heads of Commonwealth Countries who attended Charles and/or William's wedding and if there are any guests with the faintest whiff of politics about them, it will not be the reason they are invited.

[Jacknch]

Indeed Marg, I see no point in discussing something that isn't going to happen.

On a more interesting and royal-related theme, how about overseas royals who might attend in their capacity of being close to the BRF? I'm thinking maybe King Constantine and Queen Anne-Marie to start with?

[Mbruno]

Originally Posted by MARG

There are so many false expectations of Harry and Meghan's wedding. In the British Royal Family, there are three types of wedding, State, Semi-State and Private.

Prince Charles, as the heir, had a State wedding and foreign Heads of Heads of State were invited.

Prince William, as the heir's heir, had a semi-State wedding and Heads of Commonwealth Countries were invited.

Prince Harry, as fifth in line to the throne, is having a Private wedding and the government and foreign office is not involved.

That may be the case, but Harry is still a senior royal and his wedding will attract a lot of media attention, especially in the US and in the UK. If the guest list has a potential to create a diplomatic rift that is not in the interest of the British government, I am pretty sure the FO will intervene and "advise" the Palace to change it.

Contrary to popular belief, the Royal Family is tightly controlled by the government in anything they do that may have public exposure. The fact that Piers Morgan, a British journalist on a British TV show, asked Trump about a possible invitation indicates that the UK media will make that a public issue, as will the US media also BTW, especially if Obama is invited and Trump is not. Perhaps posters in other countries do not appreciate how that would be big news in America.

[MARG]

Oh dear, Piers Morgan, what can I say about him without straining the bounds of decency? Agent provocateur at best, pond scum at worst. He is the living embodiment of the DM et al. A pillock, a pratt, pain in the posterior, but worst of all he knows better but to stir the pot he lies.

Now, to get to Jack's question, I have to admit I wonder. The other day I was looking at one of the royal guest lists and it had the relationship listed beside each royal listed. To say I was astounded by it is an understatement. So, why don't we float a few possibilities. I am picking the Prince of Lesotho (and I think he has a wife) whose name I cannot recall offhand nor spell correctly.

[Osipi]

Originally Posted by MARG

Oh dear, Piers Morgan, what can I say about him without straining the bounds of decency? Agent provocateur at best, pond scum at worst. He is the living embodiment of the DM et al. A pillock, a pratt, pain in the posterior, but worst of all he knows better but to stir the pot he lies.

Now, to get to Jack's question, I have to admit I wonder. The other day I was looking at one of the royal guest lists and it had the relationship listed beside each royal listed. To say I was astounded by it is an understatement. So, why don't we float a few possibilities. I am picking the Prince of Lesotho (and I think he has a wife) whose name I cannot recall offhand nor spell correctly.

I think we can pretty much count on Seeiso and his wife to be at the wedding. That is the prime example of a very close, personal friendship. Harry and Seeiso founded Sentebale (means forget me not) together in 2006 in memory of their mothers.

Seeiso however is not in the position as a head of state. He's basically in the same position that Harry is. Nothing at all that would be interpreted as political.

[MARG]

That's okay, we're not Piers so it doesn't matter. However you have shown just how hard it must be for Harry and Meghan to avoid stepping on toes.

[Osipi]

The downside of living in a royal fishbowl eh? Everything is open to scrutiny.

[angieuk]

Am I wrong to assume all the Foreign Royal Families will be invited to both Royal Weddings?

[csw]

Originally Posted by Mbruno

I am not so sure Trump would decline an invitation to wedding. On the contrary, I think he would attend if invited.

I agree - I think he would go. In any event, I wouldn't want to risk it!

[ACO]

Originally Posted by Osipi

I think we can pretty much count on Seeiso and his wife to be at the wedding. That is the prime example of a very close, personal friendship. Harry and Seeiso founded Sentebale (means forget me not) together in 2006 in memory of their mothers.

Seeiso however is not in the position as a head of state. He's basically in the same position that Harry is. Nothing at all that would be interpreted as political.

He was interviewed recently and basically said he was attending. No official invite but I got the impression was told to save the date. I am sure a few people got that memo.

[Somebody]

Originally Posted by angieuk

Am I wrong to assume all the Foreign Royal Families will be invited to both Royal Weddings?

Yes, it is very unlikely that all foreign royal families will be invited. Only royals that have some personal relation to the couple (or parents) will be invited.

[Mbruno]

Originally Posted by Somebody

Yes, it is very unlikely that all foreign royal families will be invited. Only royals that have some personal relation to the couple (or parents) will be invited.

Except for the aforementioned prince of Lesotho, I can't think of any other foreign royal with whom Harry has some kind of personal relation. Someone from the Greek RF maybe ?

[Pranter]

Maybe Prince Albert? He seems somewhat chummy with the BRF (some members).


LaRae

[Somebody]

Originally Posted by Mbruno

Except for the aforementioned prince of Lesotho, I can't think of any other foreign royal with whom Harry has some kind of personal relation. Someone from the Greek RF maybe ?

That's why I included the 'or their parents'. Harry doesn't seem to have a personal relationship with many foreign royals (Eugenie might know even more - or at least more European nobles). They don't have foreign royals among their godparents either...