Princess Swerve: Meghan Markle Will Skip Donald Trump Royal Events
One day we’ll get to see the historic photo op of Meghan Markle, the first American-born member of the British royal family in good standing, meeting with an American first family, but it won’t be happening anytime soon. Even though President Donald Trump is packing up his entire family (even Tiffany is coming, so you know it’s serious) to head over to London next month for his first full state visit to England since taking office, Markle will conveniently be otherwise occupied and won’t be able to make his acquaintance. She’s on maternity leave, after all.
Trump has officially visited the U.K. as president once before, in July 2018, during a wider tour of Europe, but after some consternation and controversy, it was agreed that the trip would by styled as a “working visit” as opposed to a “state visit.” He met with Prime Minister Theresa May and, briefly, Queen Elizabeth II, but wasn’t introduced to the rest of the royals, nor did he get to enjoy the pomp and circumstance of an official visit.
This time around will be a different story completely. The Trumps have nine events scheduled with the royal family packed into just three short days. Some speculate that this might be because the Brits have caught on to the fact that President Trump enjoys the fancier trappings of diplomacy (parades, photo ops, dinners, et cetera) as opposed to the more tedious stuff. There’s also the matter of the fact that England might not have a political leader worth sitting down with while Trump is a guest in their country. Theresa May’s recently announced resignation will take effect just days after the Trumps depart, and her replacement will not be selected until July. So the royals will have to keep Trump entertained instead.
Trump and family will arrive on Monday, June 3, when they’ll be greeted by Prince Charles and Camilla, Duchess of Cornwall, at Buckingham Palace. After that, it’s off to lunch with the Queen, as well as a special viewing of items of American significance in the palace’s Picture Gallery. For the afternoon, Mr. and Mrs. Trump will be handed off to Prince Andrew, the Duke of York, for a quick visit to Westminster Abbey. Then it’s tea with Charles and Camilla again, before a full-scale state dinner given by the Queen.
The next day, Trump will humor Prime Minister May by cohosting a business breakfast in which Prince Andrew will be in attendance. Then it’s another dinner with Charles and Camilla. Finally, on that Wednesday, Trump will attend a National Commemorative Event for the 75th anniversary of the D-Day landings alongside the Queen and Prince Charles before bidding adieu.
While the Queen and Princes Charles and Andrew have their hands full between them, it’s less clear what responsibilities the younger royals will have during the trip (someone has to talk to Tiffany, right?). According to Newsweek, Prince William and Kate Middleton are not scheduled to attend any of the events so far, though it’s been reported that Prince Harry may pop out for one of the lunches.
Meghan Markle will decidedly not be showing up, however, because she’s on maternity leave, having just given birth to Master Archie Mountbatten-Windsor (indeed, the wee royal will be celebrating his one-month milestone during the Trumps’ visit). It’s unclear how long Markle’s maternity leave is expected to last, though she may make some public appearances during that time. Ironically, it’s rumored her first one may come the weekend after the Trumps leave. Trooping the Colour, an event to mark the Queen’s birthday, is scheduled for that Saturday, and it’s believed that Markle could appear.
Interestingly, however, Markle has a history of speaking out against Trump before she became a royal. Back in 2016 she appeared on The Nightly Show and called Trump “divisive” and “misogynistic,” and even proclaimed that she might just stay in Canada, where she was shooting Suits at the time, if he were elected. “I mean, come on, if that’s the reality we are talking about…that is a game changer in terms of how we move in the world here,” she said of Trump.
Though she’s already had one close encounter with a Trump before.
TORONTO, ON – SEPTEMBER 23: First Lady of the United States Melania Trump and Prince Harry attend the opening ceremony of the 2017 Invictus Games at Air Canada Centre on September 23, 2017 in Toronto, Canada.The Invictus Games is the only international sporting event for wounded, injured and sick servicemen and Women (WIS). This year’s games will bring together 550 competitors from 17 nations. (Photo by George Pimentel/WireImage)
Back in September 2017, First Lady Melania Trump was sent as the American delegate to the opening ceremony of the Invictus Games, an event cofounded by Prince Harry, in Toronto. The first lady and Harry briefly sat next to each other, marking the first time a British royal met a member of the Trump family. Though the world was more concerned with who wasn’t sitting with Harry.
Meghan and Harry’s relationship had just gone public at the time, but protocol dictated that the pair couldn’t sit together. Instead, Markle was spotted elsewhere in the arena, away from her then-boyfriend and the first lady, only to break protocol and appear next to Harry a few days later.
It seems now she may swerve the Trumps again.
Maybe she’ll be hanging out with Prince George in his little robe instead. He’s not scheduled for any meetings on the Trump itinerary, either. He’s selective that way.
LONDON, ENGLAND – APRIL 22: In this handout provided by The White House, President Barack Obama, Prince William, Duke of Cambridge and First Lady Michelle Obama talks with Prince George at Kensington Palace on April 22, 2016 in London, England. The President and his wife are currently on a brief visit to the UK where they attended lunch with HM Queen Elizabeth II at Windsor Castle and later dinner with Prince William and his wife Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge at Kensington Palace. Mr Obama visited 10 Downing Street this afternoon and held a joint press conference with British Prime Minister David Cameron where he stated his case for the UK to remain inside the European Union. (Photo by Pete Souza/The White House via Getty Images)
Meghan Markle’s Ever-Evolving Hairstyles, From Her Signature Messy Bun to a Classic French Twist
Meghan Markle wore flowers in her hair on October 24, 2018, in Suva, Fiji. Photo courtesy of Getty Images.
Meghan Markle wore her hair in a low ponytail while in South Bondi Beach on October 19, 2018, in Sydney, Australia. Photo courtesy of Getty Images.
Meghan Markle wore her hair in a low ponytail to attend the naming dedication and unveiling of a new aircraft in the Royal Flying Doctor Service (RFDS) fleet at Dubbo Airport on October 17, 2018, in Dubbo, Australia. Photo courtesy of Getty Images.
Meghan markle wore her hair in a loose low bun on a visit to the University of Chichester’s Engineering and Technology Park on October 3, 2018, in Bognor Regis, England. Photo courtesy of Getty Images.
It’s rare, but sometimes Markle wears her hair down, like she did at the Sydney Opera House on October 16, 2018, in Sydney, Australia. Photo courtesy of Getty Images.
Meghan Markle wore her hair pulled back, with a few face-framing loose pieces, at the Royal Lancaster Hotel on September 4, 2018, in London, England. Photo courtesy of Getty Images.
Markle wore her hair in loose waves at the “100 Days of Peace” concert to commemorate the centenary of the end of the First World War at Central Hall Westminster on September 6, 2018, in London, England. Photo courtesy of Getty Images.
Markle attended the Sentebale ISPS Handa Polo Cup at the Royal County of Berkshire Polo Club on July 26, 2018, in Windsor, England, with her hair in a chic, pulled-back bun. Photo courtesy of Getty Images.
Markle wore her hair in long, loose waves with a chic hat on June 9, 2018, in London, England. Photo courtesy of Getty Images.
Meghan Markle let her hair loose at the U.K. Team Trials for the Invictus Games Sydney 2018 at the University of Bath on April 6, 2018, in Bath, England. Photo courtesy of Getty images.
Meghan Markle wore her hair pulled back in a messy bun at Cardiff Castle on January 18, 2018, in Cardiff, Wales. Photo courtesy of Getty Images.
Meghan Markle wore her hair in a center-part updo at the Victoria Palace Theatre in London on August 29, 2018. Photo courtesy of Getty Images.
Meghan Markle wore her pulled back while attending the Wimbledon Tennis Championships at the All England Lawn Tennis and Croquet Club on July 13, 2018, in London, England, with Kate Middleton. Photo courtesy of Getty Images.
Meghan Markle wore her hair down in loose waves at the Terrance Higgins Trust World AIDS Day charity fair at Nottingham Contemporary on December 1, 2017, in Nottingham, England. Photo courtesy of Getty Images.
Meghan Markle on day three of the Invictus Games Toronto 2017 on September 25, 2017, in Toronto, Canada. Photo courtesy of Getty Images.
Meghan Markle wore her long hair in a straight style at a Christmas Day Church service at Church of St. Mary Magdalene on December 25, 2017, in King’s Lynn, England. Photo courtesy of Getty Images.
Meghan Markle wore her long hair in curls, with a deep side part, in an appearance on Today on March 18, 2016, in New York, New York. Photo courtesy of Getty Images.
Meghan Markle leaves the Today taping at NBC Rockefeller Center Studios on July 14, 2016, in New York City. Photo courtesy of Getty Images.
Meghan Markle styled her hair in a long sleek style on March 17, 2016, in New York City. Photo courtesy of Getty Images.
Meghan Markle wore her hair in a messy bun at the USA Network’s Suits season five premiere, held at Sheraton Los Angeles Downtown Hotel on January 21, 2016, in Los Angeles, California. Photo courtesy of Getty Images.
