Prince Harry says it’s ‘not his decision’ whether to invite Barack Obama to wedding – which could offend Donald Trump
PRINCE Harry has admitted it “100 per cent” isn’t his final decision on whether to invite the Obamas to his wedding next year.
The Sun revealed yesterday that government officials are pressuring the 33 year-old not to invite his friend the former US president to his and Meghan Markle’s big day.
The Foreign Office and No10 fear it would infuriate jealous Donald Trump, who will not get an invitation to the May 19 nuptials.
The prince was quizzed over the dilemma while guest editing BBC Radio 4’s Today Programme today after landing Barack Obama’s first interview since leaving office 11 months ago for it.
And he dropped a strong hint that he would like to see the 44th US president there.
Asked whether Mr Obama will get an invitation, Harry ducked: “I don’t know about that, we haven’t even put the invites or the guest list together yet."
“So who knows who is going to be invited or not. I wouldn’t want to ruin that surprise.”
Today presenter Sarah Montague then suggested to the prince that it’s “not necessarily your decision”, to which he replied: “Yes, no of course - 100%”.
The prince has become good friends with Barack and wife Michelle since bonding with them during the Invictus Games.
But Britain’s relations with Trump’s White House have sunk to their lowest ebb since his election last year over spats about his tweets and recognising Jerusalem as Israel’s capital.
Harry's quick quiz for Obama
HRH: It’s a quick-fire question round. White House Down or Olympus Has Fallen?
BO: I didn’t see either.
HRH: White House Down
BO: OK, I’ll take your word for it.
HRH: Boxers or briefs?
BO: Sorry — we don’t answer those questions.
HRH: Lebron James or Michael Jordan?
BO: Jordan — although I love Lebron — but I’m a Chicago guy.
HRH: Kim or Khloe?
BO: This one I have to defer on.
HRH: Harry or William?
BO: William right now.
HRH: Suits or The Good Wife?
BO: Suits obviously.
HRH: Great, great answer. White House or Buckingham Palace?
BO: White House just because Buckingham Palace looks like it would take a really long time to mow. Lot of upkeep.
HRH: Queen or the Queen?
BO: The Queen.
HRH: Good answer again.
Another perceived national snub will make it impossible for Theresa May to meaningfully engage with Trump, government insiders say.
Harry also risked angering Mr Trump afresh during his radio interview with Obama.
In what will be seen in part as a reference to the property billionaire’s first controversial year in the White House, the prince said 2017 “hasn’t exactly been easy for the world”, adding: “Many people are worried about the direction that the world is headed”.
His questions on social media use also prompted Mr Obama to take a covert dig at Trump’s controversial tweeting.
The former US leader said: “All of us in leadership have to find a way to recreate a common space on the internet”.
He told Harry in their interview: “On the internet everything is simplified, and when you meet people face-to-face it turns out they’re complicated.”
MOST READ IN POLITICS
As Harry’s wedding is not a state occasion, the Government only have a consultative role in its organization and heads of state will not be invited.
The guest list is instead being drawn up in full by Buckingham Palace rather than the Department of Culture, Media and Sport – which presides over national events such as state funerals.
A No10 spokesman said: "The invite list is not a matter for the Government".