Buckingham Palace dispatched a message to Prince Harry, informing him of his exclusion from an upcoming garden party for ex-servicemen.
Reports reveal that Princess Anne has taken charge of hosting this historic event at the palace. Known as the Not Forgotten Association Garden Party, it has been a cherished tradition at Buckingham Palace since 1921. Last year, the Duchess of Edinburgh presided over this unique gathering, which stands as the sole annual garden party at the palace, aside from those hosted by the monarch.
The Not Forgotten Association is a charity dedicated to providing entertainment, leisure, and recreation for disabled ex-servicemen and women. Princess Anne last hosted this event in 2022 alongside her husband, Sir Timothy Lawrence. The royal family's association with the charity dates back to its inception in 1920, aimed at bringing comfort, cheer, and entertainment to wounded ex-servicemen recovering in hospitals.
Princess Mary was the inaugural royal patron, holding the position until her passing in 1956, succeeded by The Princess Royal in 2000. Previous hosts of this prestigious event include the late Queen Elizabeth, Princess Beatrice, Princess Eugenie, and Prince Harry. However, this year, Prince Harry finds himself excluded from the guest list.
A palace insider revealed that Princess Anne's decision signifies a significant shift in the dynamics of the royal family. Once a prominent figure in hosting such events, Harry's exclusion underscores the repercussions of his controversial actions and decisions. His departure from traditional royal duties and subsequent ventures have strained relations within the family, eliciting a sense of betrayal. One particularly contentious issue is Harry's association with the Invictus Games, where accusations of profiting from veterans for personal gain have arisen.
Princess Anne's choice to bar Harry from the garden party aims to distance the event from any association with his ventures, particularly those perceived as exploiting veterans. It upholds the event's integrity, ensuring it remains a platform for celebrating and supporting veterans and disabled individuals without being overshadowed by Harry's presence. This decision underscores the royal family's prioritization of the welfare of veterans and disabled individuals over Harry's personal interests.
This revelation follows reports suggesting that a reunion between Prince Harry and Meghan Markle with Prince William and Catherine is unlikely, even in light of Princess Catherine's cancer diagnosis. Royal historian Richard Fitzwilliams opined that Katherine's announcement of her diagnosis probably won't mend the strained relationship between the couples. The public nature of how Charles learned about the news, along with the breakdown of trust and lack of communication between the brothers, suggests an irreparable rift. Reports indicate that the royal family is content with distancing themselves from Harry and Meghan, given their unawareness of Katherine's diagnosis prior to the public announcement.
