An extravagant wedding was recently celebrated by Asia's wealthiest family, the Ambanis, and Rika Merchant on July 12th in Mumbai.
The ceremony was a grand affair, with a guest list that sparkled with high-profile celebrities, including John Cena, Priyanka Chopra, Nick Jonas, the Kardashians, Tony Blair, and Boris Johnson. The celebrations extended beyond a single day, featuring months of pre-wedding events that saw the attendance of tech giants such as Bill Gates and Mark Zuckerberg.
The entertainment for these grand festivities was provided by global music icons like Rihanna, Katy Perry, Justin Bieber, the Backstreet Boys, and Pitbull. Despite the impressive roster of attendees, the notable absence of the Sussexes—Prince Harry and Meghan Markle—was conspicuous. This omission sparked considerable commentary, especially given the Sussexes' previous tendency to invite celebrities with whom they had limited personal connections, such as George Clooney, to their own wedding.
The Ambani-Merchant wedding festivities are set to continue with a two-month afterparty at a prestigious country club in the UK. Speculation has arisen regarding whether Prince Harry and Meghan Markle might attend this lavish event. Richard Fitzwilliams, a royal commentator, shared his thoughts with The Sun, suggesting that the Sussexes have a strong desire to be seen at high-profile events. Fitzwilliams noted the Hollywood interest in royalty and pointed out that celebrities like Tom Cruise have ingratiated themselves with the royal family by attending several royal functions.
Fitzwilliams also touched on the rumored tension between the Sussexes and the Beckhams, suggesting that David Beckham might have felt snubbed, which could be contributing to strains in their relationship. Regarding whether the Sussexes will make an appearance at the Ambani-Merchant afterparty, Fitzwilliams expressed uncertainty, noting that the allure of such a spectacular event might be appealing to them. However, he emphasized that the Sussexes' current predicament—a far cry from their former status at the pinnacle of social and royal circles—makes their attendance uncertain.
The two-month post-wedding celebrations in the UK present another opportunity for the Sussexes to make a public appearance. However, whether they will secure an invitation remains to be seen. If they are not invited, it is likely they might spin their absence as a choice made to avoid overshadowing the bride and groom, citing security concerns or the desire not to detract from the couple's special day.
The Sussexes' exclusion from such high-profile events could reflect their diminished standing among elite circles, a status that has been affected by public disputes with the royal family and a series of controversial interviews. Meghan Markle, in particular, has faced criticism for her perceived need to be the center of attention at every event, with some humorously suggesting she might even announce a divorce from Harry at a wedding, thus overshadowing the bride. The Sussexes' lives seem to revolve around securing invitations to maintain their relevance. Should they be left out of the Ambani-Merchant afterparty, the public and media will be closely watching to see how they justify their absence, if at all.
