The Duke and Duchess of Sussex are expected to skip the Trooping the Colour celebration this week in honour of King Charles’ official birthday in June.

Prince Harry and Meghan Markle have an “open invitation” to key royal events alongside other members of the Firm – but one reason is stopping them from taking up the offer.

Trooping the Colour, a centuries-old royal tradition, is set to take place on Saturday at Buckingham Palace.

The King’s son, Prince Harry, and daughter-in-law, Meghan Markle, however, are not expected to be there.

This is despite having an “open invitation” to key royal events, an expert has claimed.

READ MORE William’s ‘warning’ to Harry about Meghan before they got married [LATEST]

Invictus Games 2023

Prince Harry and Meghan Markle have an (Image: Getty)

Speaking on Daily Mail’s Palace Confidential podcast, royal reporter Charlotte Griffiths said: “It’s really sad but it’s hard to imagine Harry on a balcony now.

“Meghan’s first Trooping the Colour with Harry today on and there’s a video and he was he really came to life on the balcony and he was showing her how it’s done and where to look and she actually had a very awkward exchange with the Princess of Wales.”

She said Harry looked like he “took a lot of pride” in showing Meghan her first and last appearance on the balcony at Buckingham Palace.

Griffiths said she can’t see either the Duke or Duchess of Sussex returning to London to take part in this years, or future Trooping the Colour celebrations with the rest of the Firm.

The Duke and Duchess of Sussex Visit Nigeria - Day 3

The couple are not expected to attend the 2024 Trooping the Colour event (Image: Getty)

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But despite this, royal editor Richard Eden said there is an “open invitation” for the couple to “attend any big royal events”.

However, it is unlikely they will make an appearance at any of these events as “they realise they’re not wanted,” Eden said.

He said: “They need to face facts that they’re just not wanted there and I don’t think any other members of the Royal Family want to see them.