Sunday 18 September 2022 03:53 PM Harry and Meghan's friend says it is 'beyond bonkers' they were 'uninvited' ... trends now

The decision to exclude Prince Harry and Meghan Markle from tonight's 'reception of the century' at Buckingham Palace is 'beyond bonkers', it was claimed today.

A friend of the couple claims that the Sussexes will feel 'excluded' after they were apparently 'uninvited' to a state event for 1,000 world leaders and foreign royals attending the Queen's funeral tomorrow.

It is thought Prince Harry and his wife Meghan Markle received an invitation to the event, hosted by King Charles and the Queen Consort. But the couple are now unlikely to attend after officials at Buckingham Palace insisted the reception was for working royals only, it is understood.

A friend of the Sussexes told The Sunday Times: 'It is beyond bonkers if they're not there. Everyone is coming in from around the world to pay their respects to the Queen.'

The confusion over Harry and Meghan's invitation points to issues with communication between the Californian-based couple and the Royal Family, according to the Daily Telegraph. It follows an apparent U-turn over Harry's right to wear military uniform despite being a non-working royal.

Prince Harry has reportedly been left 'devastated' and after the Queen's 'ER' initials were removed from the shoulder of his military uniform as he held vigil by her coffin last night - after Prince Andrew was allowed to keep the royal cypher. 

The source said today that the flip-flopping over uniform and the Buckingham Palace reception could make him feel as if 'the majority of the operation is against you. It's hard — nobody likes to feel like they're being excluded.' 

King Charles III met Britain's new Prime Minister Liz Truss as he arrived at Buckingham Palace, where he and Queen Consort Camilla will host the 'reception of the century' for 1,000 VIPs including world leaders and foreign royals this evening - as the nation holds a minute's silence for his late mother the Queen on the eve of her state funeral.

The new monarch smiled and waved at well-wishers who cheered him as he was driven through the palace gates in the state Rolls-Royce this afternoon.

Charles then held a reception with the Prime Minister in the 1844 Room at 12.15pm, before he and Camilla will tonight host hundreds of dignitaries, from world leaders including US President Joe Biden, New Zealand's prime minister Jacinda Ardern and Canadian premier Justin Trudeau to senior members of the British royal family, ambassadors from almost all nations, and foreign royals including Japan's Emperor Naruhito and the Kings and Queens from Holland, Norway and Spain.

Most dignitaries are also expected to view the Queen's coffin in the ancient heart of Parliament after being given a VIP timeslot - raising the prospect that mourners who have queued through the night will pay their respects with leaders of the free world.

However, guests asked to wear lounge suits and morning dress rather than ball gowns and white tie as would be expected at a usual state event at the King's London home. They will arrive at 6pm for drinks and canapes in the Buckingham Palace picture gallery and state apartments.

And reports suggest that the Duke and Duchess of Sussex were 'uninvited' to a state reception for world leaders and foreign royals this evening.

Mr Biden, who flew in late last night, said that the Queen 'defined an era' after she reigned for a record-breaking 70 years. Australia's anti-monarchy Prime Minister Anthony Albanese, who viewed the lying-in-state and met Charles yesterday, told Sky News Australia that the Queen was 'a constant reassuring presence'. There was also a private audience at Buckingham Palace for Ms Ardern, which like Australia and 12 other Commonwealth realms now counts Charles as its sovereign.

The Palace is understood to have intervened to allow Harry to wear his regalia to a 15-minute vigil at Westminster Hall yesterday. Harry had previously said he would wear a morning suit to all the funeral events.

The funeral of the only monarch most Britons have known involves the biggest

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