Meghan and Harry were in the U.K. doing charity work when Queen Elizabeth II died on September 8 last year. The couple remained in the country until her funeral on September 19.
During ceremonies marking the passing of Britain’s longest-reigning monarch, the Sussexes’ staff contacted the White House to see if they could return to the States with the president and first lady, who also attended the funeral.
According to a source close to her, Jill Biden was also invited to the 2022 Invictus Games and was leaning toward going. The First Lady and Joe Biden attended the 2017 Games in Canada and the 2016 Games in Florida.
But according to the source, British officials discouraged the first lady because it was thought the visit would not please Buckingham Palace.
Instead, Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg and his wife led the U.S. delegation to the games.
Along with their political activities, Meghan and Harry have made numerous deals that have earned them millions.
The couple signed a $100 million deal with Netflix to produce a six-episode series about their relationship, marriage, and eventual breakup with the firm. They also signed a $20 million deal with streaming audio giant Spotify, which was later terminated.
The Sussexes also signed a deal with publisher Penguin Random House, which included the release of Prince Harry’s memoir Spare.
The book became an instant bestseller and further strained relations with the royal family following allegations against high-ranking family members, including Queen Camilla and Harry’s brother Prince William.
Sources close to the royal family have revealed Meghan Markle and Prince Harry asked Joe Biden to fly with them on Air Force One after the Queen’s funeral but were refused.
Sources also told the Daily Mail that the Sussexes invited Jill Biden to the Invictus Games, but he declined the offer because it could upset the rest of the royal family.
Both requests were most likely an attempt by Meghan and Harry to gain political clout in the U.S. after they settled in California following their breakup with the firm.