Hiding From 'Big Willy': 'Resentful' Prince Harry Skips His and Prince William's Pal's Nuptials as Duke Seeks to 'Avoid' Future King
Harry, Duke of Sussex, is set to skip out on friend, Hugh Grosvernor's lavish June 7 wedding at Chester Cathedral in Northern England.
"If he had come he would have been ordered to his seat by William, who is an usher, and the friction would have been obvious for all to see," royal expert Phil Dampier shared.
"The Duke of Westminster is one of the few people who has remained friends with both William and Harry since their rift," he added. "So he was in a very difficult position but he must have realized that it was virtually impossible for both brothers to come to the wedding."
"He continued: "Harry is probably very upset that he isn’t coming as he has been close to the Duke for many years. But it was just a non-starter."
Although the prince has sent "his love and support and admiration for the couple" for their wedding day, numerous analysts and insiders say it is "100 percent" because of William as to why he skipped.
"Totally because of Big Willy playing a major part as an usher for the big day," a palace insider spilled. "How could anyone fail to see this is the reason Harry is refusing to attend? How exactly, unless you are delusional or biased?"
Another insider shared how Grosvenor "is a lot closer in age to Harry, whereas William is eight or nine years older."
They added: "When they were growing up, Harry and Hugh were much closer. Hugh was a young boy when William was in his late teens and early twenties. That’s why this has all come as such a shock."
Of the nuptials, which have been billed as Britain's "society wedding of the year," a friend of the bride and groom stated: "It means a lot to the couple to be getting married at Chester Cathedral, it is where they will be putting down roots for the future. They are making a conscious effort to involve local and regional suppliers in several aspects of their day. The couple are incredibly grateful for the support and messages of congratulations they have received, especially from people in the region."
Sources also report that King Charles III and Kate, Princess of Wales, are likely not attending due to their ongoing cancer treatments. All of the future queen and William's children will be in school, which ends rumors that hoped for a Prince George appearance on his godfather's big day. As for Harry, insiders and experts predict his snubbing of the event is "self-explanatory" due to his acrimonious relations with his family.
"Harry and Meghan obviously probably have no intention of flying 5,000 miles to go to a wedding. It's the society wedding of the year when that society doesn't want to know them — especially Meghan," royal expert Ingrid Seward told a publication about the numerous snubs.
The Sun reported on Dampier's remarks.