Here's Why Meghan Markle Skipped Met Gala Despite Being Anna Wintour's 'Dream' Guest
Meghan Markle did not attend the 2024 Met Gala allegedly because she would not be the center of attention at the glamorous event, a royal commentator has claimed.
Despite speculation that Markle and Prince Harry could be in attendance at this year's edition of the fundraising gala, the royal couple did not show up at the New York City event Monday.
The Duke and Duchess of Sussex -- who have attended few major Hollywood or fashion events since moving from the U.K. to California in 2020 -- have a busy schedule this week, with Prince Harry returning to London for the Invictus Games' 10th-anniversary celebrations and him and Markle heading to Nigeria soon.
But royal expert Richard Fitzwilliams suggested to The Sun that there may be more to Markle's absence from the Met Gala than meets the eye.
The commentator speculated that the former "Suits" star, who was once described by Vogue head Anna Wintour as her "dream" Met Gala guest, and Prince Harry may have declined an invitation to the gala because they would be sharing the spotlight and attention with many other Hollywood A-listers, who likely would not have been "impressed" with them.
"You get the impression that they go to things because they want the attention to be centered on them," Fitzwilliams claimed.
Fitzwilliams suggested that unlike other famous figures, the Duke and Duchess of Sussex don't have the "confidence to appear when the spotlight isn't on them."
"You see and be seen. This has always been part of the way Hollywood A-listers can disport themselves because they're news simply by turning up," the royal expert explained.
"But what you don't find is Harry and Megan confident enough to appear just for the sake of it, as opposed to appearing when the focus is just on them."
The Met Gala has had a few royal guests over the years.
In 1995, Prince Harry's late mother Princess Diana graced the event in a navy Versace gown, which she paired with a pearl and sapphire choker, according to Town & Country.
His cousin Princess Beatrice also attended the event in 2018, looking stunning in a flowing purple gown.
in 2019, Wintour told NBC's Jenna Bush Hager that the pairing she would love to see at a Met Gala is that of Markle and her sister-in-law, Princess Kate Middleton.
"I would love to have the Duchess of Sussex and the Duchess of Cambridge together," the Met Gala chair said at the time. "That would be my dream couple. They could leave their husbands at home. It's the two of them I want."
Markle and Prince Harry were last seen together last month when they made a stylish entrance at a polo match in Florida.
Photos of the royals had fans going into a frenzy, with many praising their looks.
Markle stunned in an ivory Heidi Merrick dress, which featured cutouts at the midriff and made out of silk and hemp fabric. She paired the dress with Heidi Merrick sunglasses, a Valentino shoulder bag, vintage Chanel button earrings and nude Aquazurra pumps.
Her husband also looked every inch the cool Californian in a gray suit jacket, light blue button-down shirt, white pants and sunglasses.
