The Duke and Duchess of Sussex turn down invite to present at Oscars
The Duke and Duchess of Sussex have reportedly turned down an invite to present an Oscar at this year's 92nd Academy Awards.
Harry and Meghan were approached to hand out the top award of the night Best Picture, according to Hello!, and while the royal couple said they were "honoured by the request", they "declined the invitation".
Organisers of the ceremony had hoped Harry and Meghan would join the annual event in Hollywood following their recent relocation with their son Archie to Canada.
The duke and duchess announced that they were stepping back as senior royals to become financially independent in a statement released last month. They are splitting their time between Canada and North America.
Oscar nominees who are expected to attend the Oscars on Sunday night (February 9) include Scarlett Johansson, Adam Driver, Cynthia Erivo, Joaquin Phoenix, Laura Dern, Brad Pitt and Renee Zellwegger.
Meanwhile, Harry and Meghan are said to have attended JP Morgan's banking summit in Miami last week, where Harry reportedly gave a speech.
Last month, at one of Prince Harry's final official engagements in the UK before he left for Canada, the 35-year-old royal told attendees at a charity dinner for Sentebale that he had hoped that he and Meghan could continue carrying out royal duties on behalf of the Queen.
He added the the UK would always be his home, and that would "never change".
"I have grown up feeling support from so many of you, and I watched as you welcomed Meghan with open arms as you saw me find the love and happiness that I had hoped for all my life," he continued.
"I will continue to be the same man who holds his country dear and dedicates his life to supporting the causes, charities and military communities that are so important to me. Together, you have given me an education about living. And this role has taught me more about what is right and just than I could have ever imagined. We are taking a leap of faith - thank you for giving me the courage to take this next step."
The Oscars takes place at the Dolby Theatre in Los Angeles on Sunday, February 9.
Like this article? Sign up to our new newsletter to get more articles like this delivered straight to your inbox.
You Might Also Like
