The invitation, extended by Harry's friend Hugh Grosvenor, the 7th Duke of Westminster, was to attend his wedding, an event that could have been advantageous for the Sussexes. However, reports suggest that their decision to decline was not due to Prince William and Kate Middleton's attendance, as initially speculated.
Contrary to earlier rumors, sources close to the Sussexes indicated that they received a save-the-date notice but opted not to attend the ceremony, deeming it potentially awkward. The Prince of Wales is reported to be the best man at the wedding of the 32-year-old Duke, set to marry Olivia Henson in June 2024 at Chester Cathedral.
Grosvenor's family fortune, tracing back to the Norman Conquest, is estimated to be worth £9.8 billion. The event, likely to be attended by high-society figures, could have served as a major opportunity for the Duke and Duchess of Sussex to connect with elites in the UK.
This potential networking opportunity might have been valuable for the Sussexes, especially considering their reported financial challenges following the collapse of lucrative deals. By forgoing the high-profile event, Prince Harry and Meghan Markle may have missed a chance to leverage social connections in their time of financial uncertainty.
