Harry and Meghan found out from the press that they were no longer invited to the reception before Queen Elizabeth II's funeral
Steph Deschamps / September 18,
This Sunday, world leaders and foreign royalty are expected to attend an early evening reception hosted by King Charles III at Buckingham Palace in honor of Queen Elizabeth II.
Prince Harry and Meghan Markle learned they were not invited to the state reception after reading press reports, according to Page Six.
The Duke and Duchess of Sussex, who joined the royal family last week after the death of Queen Elizabeth II in London, received an invitation to the event, which was scheduled to take place on Sunday evening, the site reported.
However, a spokesperson for King Charles III confirmed to Page Six that "the invitation is for active members of the royal family only."
"Harry and Meghan did receive the invitation and no one told them they weren't invited," a royal source tells Page Six.
"I'm told they found out they weren't invited by reading news articles," a source tells Page Six.
U.S. President Joe Biden, French President Emmanuel Macron and Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau are among the heads of state expected to attend the reception, hosted by Charles and Queen Consort Camilla ahead of the queen's funeral on Monday.
Guests will also be greeted by the Prince and Princess of Wales, the Princess Royal and the Earl and Countess of Wessex at the Buckingham Palace reception.
On Saturday night, Harry joined his brother, Prince William, and their cousins to watch over the monarch, who is laid to rest at Westminster Hall. The King and his siblings held a wake on Friday night.
Throughout the week, sources close to the Sussexes were keen to stress that the couple would do whatever was asked of them.
Harry - who was stripped of his military titles when he and Meghan Markle stepped down from royal duties in January 2020 - was prepared not to wear his uniform to any event, but following a reversal from Buckingham Palace, the former army officer was able to wear his uniform to a vigil on Saturday.
"Prince Harry was simply prepared to wear what his grandmother had planned. He's focused on honoring her and that's it."
Queen Elizabeth II died at the age of 96 on Sept. 8. Her funeral will be held Monday.