BAFTA Tea Party Shuns Prince Harry and Meghan Markle Amid Royal Fallout

Prince Harry and Meghan Markle faced a chilly reception at the BAFTA tea party in Los Angeles on Saturday, January 14th.

The couple found themselves excluded from the prestigious event due to the aftermath of Prince Harry's public criticisms of the royal family.

According to an insider, the British showbiz knight in Hollywood decided against extending an invitation to the Sussexes, citing the negative publicity surrounding the controversial couple.

The source revealed that executives in London vetoed the idea of including Prince Harry and Meghan at the event, deeming it a potential public relations disaster.

The decision-makers at BAFTA were adamant that welcoming the couple would stir up significant controversy, especially given Prince Harry's recent projects such as his book “Spare” and the Netflix docuseries.

The source emphasized that Prince William, Harry's brother and BAFTA's president, played a pivotal role in the decision-making process.

It was made clear to the US team that any media coverage involving Prince Harry and Meghan would garner immense attention, potentially overshadowing the positive aspects of the event.

The specter of negative publicity and the risk of damaging the royal family's image loomed large over the possibility of the Sussexes' attendance.

The behind-the-scenes deliberations at BAFTA remained discreet, with Prince William's PR team reportedly uninvolved in the final verdict.

The BAFTA tea party, renowned for its glamour and exclusivity, serves as a prominent gathering for nominees, members, and distinguished guests in the entertainment industry.

The event, described on the official website as an elegant affair celebrating filmmaking excellence, offers attendees a reprieve from the hectic awards season.

Notably, the party has historically attracted top talent seeking recognition for their cinematic achievements.

In a separate development, actress Kate Blanchett expressed skepticism towards the notion of “speaking my truth,” a phrase popularized by figures like Oprah Winfrey.

Blanchett dismissed the concept as confusing, asserting that truth remains singular and objective.

She critiqued the trend of emphasizing personal narratives over objective reality, highlighting the importance of language in shaping perceptions.

Moreover, talk show host Andrew Neill joined the chorus of critics lambasting the idea of “my truth,” characterizing it as self-centered and prioritizing subjective experiences over verifiable facts.

Neill's remarks echoed broader skepticism towards the contemporary emphasis on individual perspectives at the expense of empirical truths.

Notably, BAFTA itself became embroiled in controversy last year when Australian actress Rebel Wilson mocked Prince Harry and Meghan Markle during the 2022 awards ceremony.

Wilson humorously referenced the couple's high-profile interview with Oprah Winfrey, humorously noting the absence of their interview in the outstanding British film category nominations.

The playful dig underscored the enduring public fascination with the royal couple's tumultuous relationship with the media.