Will Prince William & Kate Attend Trump’s Inauguration? Royal Expert Weighs In

With Donald Trump’s inauguration set for January 20 in Washington, D.C., speculation has been swirling about whether members of the British Royal Family will be in attendance.

Trump’s admiration for the royals is well known, and according to royal commentator Neil Sean, invitations have allegedly been extended to Prince William, Kate Middleton, King Charles, and Queen Camilla.

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Sean, speaking to Fox News, suggested that Trump’s recent friendly exchange with Prince William at the reopening of the Notre Dame Cathedral in Paris added weight to the possibility of royal attendance. However, royal experts remain sceptical.

Royal Expert Dismisses Possibility of Attendance

Brittani Barger, a well-known royal expert and co-founder of Royal News, expressed doubts over the likelihood of the royals accepting Trump’s invitation. Speaking to The Daily Express US, Barger clarified that while the former president may have invited them, attendance is highly unlikely.

"Trump may have invited them, but that doesn’t mean they will go,” she stated. “Royals receive countless invitations, but they are under no obligation to accept. Their role is to remain politically neutral, and given how divisive this election was, I would be shocked if they attended.”

British Royals Maintain Political Neutrality

The British monarchy follows a strict policy of remaining "above politics." The Royal Family rarely engages in politically sensitive events, particularly in foreign nations. Barger highlighted how their packed schedules often prevent them from attending certain high-profile events, further minimizing the chances of their presence at Trump’s inauguration.

This sentiment aligns with past royal engagements—or lack thereof—at similar political events. For instance, earlier this week, Prince Edward, the Duke of Edinburgh, represented the Royal Family at the funeral of former U.S. President Jimmy Carter in Washington, D.C., an event more in line with royal diplomatic traditions.

Serbian Royals Could Make an Appearance

While the British royals are unlikely to attend, Barger suggested that another European royal family might be present. “I believe it’s quite possible that the Crown Prince Couple of Serbia could attend,” she noted.

Although the Serbian monarchy was deposed decades ago, its members still hold a notable presence in Serbia. Their longstanding amicable ties with the Trumps might make them more likely attendees at the inauguration.

Trump’s Expected Royal Engagements

Despite the uncertainty over British royal attendance at the inauguration, reports indicate that Trump is set to become the first elected U.S. president to receive two state visits from the British Royal Family. However, according to The Telegraph, a meeting between Trump and King Charles is unlikely to happen before 2026.

With just days to go before the inauguration, speculation will continue. But given the Royal Family’s long-standing commitment to neutrality, it seems highly improbable that Prince William and Kate Middleton will be part of the high-profile event.