The First Family plans to mark the UK’s royal wedding of Prince Harry and Meghan Markle by donating to a charity of the couple’s choosing, despite not being invited to the star-studded event.
According to the Daily Mail, President Trump and First Lady Melania will donate to one of seven charities selected by the royal couple instead of receiving wedding gifts; including ocean preservation and HIV-related organizations.
“President Donald Trump and First Lady Melania Trump will be making a contribution to one of the 7 charities the royal couple has designated in lieu of gifts,” said Lindsay Walters, a spokeswoman for the White House.
A representative for Prince Harry announced the decision last month to forego traditional gifts; instead asking those who attend the wedding to donate to one of the Prince’s selected charities.
“The couple have therefore asked that anyone who might wish to mark the occasion considers making a donation to charity, rather than sending a wedding gift,” said the spokesperson.
ROYAL SNUB: Prince Harry May Invite OBAMAS, not Trump to UK Wedding
British royal Prince Harry and his American-born fiancé reportedly want former President Barack Obama and Michelle Obama to attend his high-profile wedding next year, further straining relations between UK Prime Minister Theresa May and President Trump.
According to Fox News, the soon-to-be married couple plan on extending the invitation to the Obamas well ahead of their spring wedding; causing a major headache for May who has so-far refused to offer President Trump a formal state visit and meeting with the Queen.
“There are deep fears among senior Foreign Office and [No. 10] officials that another perceived national snub will make it impossible for Theresa May to meaningfully engage with Trump,” reports the Sun. “Harry has made it clear he wants the Obamas at the wedding, so it’s causing a lot of nervousness.”
President Obama and Prince Harry developed a personal relationship while working on the Invictus Games, a multinational sporting event featuring injured veterans from the United States, United Kingdom, Canada, and other nations.
Harry’s future bride, Meghan Markle, was an outspoken critic of President Trump during the 2016 campaign, calling him a “misogynist” and “divisive.” Ultimately, the decision will be up to the UK government.
“Conversations are ongoing about and ministers will eventually have to decide. If the PM lays down the law, Harry will just have to suck it up,” adds the Sun.
‘STAY INDOORS’: UK Armed Forces Enters SECOND TOWN Over Russia POISON PLOT
Tensions between the United Kingdom and Russia spiked this week following an alleged Russian-backed assassination plot against a former spy; with British armed forces scrambling to “track down every molecule” of the deadly chemicals deployed on the streets of a quaint English town.
According to the Daily Mail, the military and local law enforcement descended on a second village in Dorset Wednesday; scrubbing the area for traces of the nerve agent used during the assassination of former Russian spy Sergei Skripal.
Skripal was found hunched-over on a park bench in the quiet town of Salisbury. Local residents have been advised to “stay in your homes” while police determine if the chemical still poses a health risk.
Russian authorities have vigorously denied any knowledge of the incident, demanding Prime Minister Theresa May submit evidence of the attack to an international body for further investigation.
In response, the UK government has given 23 Russian diplomats just one week to vacate the country; saying “Through these expulsions we will fundamentally degrade Russian intelligence capability in the UK for years to come.”
"Under the Vienna Convention, the United Kingdom will now expel 23 Russian diplomats who have been identified as undeclared intelligence officers. Through these expulsions we will fundamentally degrade Russian intelligence capability in the UK for years to come."
— Foreign Office 🇬🇧 (@foreignoffice) March 14, 2018