Meghan Markle and Prince Harry’s decision not to attend Prince Philip’s memorial has cost them a “Dutch royal welcome” at next week's Invictus Games held in the Netherlands, royal biographer Angela Levin has said.
Traditionally, the Dutch King and his wife Queen Máxima host royal visitors attending the event for injured military veterans, but they have reportedly not extended the olive branch to the Duke and Duchess of Sussex this year.
Ms Levin, who wrote a biography about Prince Harry, claims the Dutch royals would have noticed the Sussexes no-show at the Thanksgiving Service for the Duke of Edinburgh.
She said: “Any decent human being would have been absolutely shocked by Harry’s paltry excuse for not attending the memorial service for Prince Philip.
Meghan Markle and Prince Harry, the Duke and Duchess of Sussex
Daniel Leal-Olivas
Memorial service held for Prince Philip the Duke of Edinburgh at Westminster Abbey in London
Dominic Lipinski
“The Dutch royals would have seen how he’s treated his family and I do not believe they will make any effort beyond the minimum.
“They will have seen how upset Catherine and William have been and how very diminished the Queen has looked since her husband’s passing."
Harry was the only senior member of the Royal Family not to attend Prince Philip’s memorial in late March.
A spokesperson for the couple explained there were concerns over Harry's safety, after his level of security in the UK was reduced.
It was revealed yesterday, however, that the Prince and his wife made a secret visit to see the Queen at Windsor Castle.
On their trip to The Hague, the Sussexes will reportedly be followed by their Netflix documentary crew for the six-day event.
The Invictus Games was where the couple chose to make their first public appearance together almost five years ago.
Speaking to The Sun, Ms Levin added: “Queen Maxima will attend the Invictus Games as it is a big event and important for those fighting on our behalf all over the world.
“But I don’t think the Dutch royals will do anything more than being courteous and will not make a big deal of it.
“They will do what is necessary but they won’t be having a nice dinner together or to give any feeling that Harry and Meghan are receiving a ‘royal welcome’, as it’s not right.”