Meghan Markle Reportedly Wanted This Person To Attend Royal Wedding But Was 'Vetoed'

Leading up to her May 2018 wedding to Prince Harry, Meghan Markle reportedly wanted a specific guest to attend the event. According to Express, the Duchess of Sussex wanted the Dalai Lama to deliver a sermon at the royal wedding. However, that idea was eventually "vetoed" by Justin Welby, the Archbishop of Canterbury.

Meghan's love of meditation, which has since been passed to Harry, and her affinity for quoting the Dalai Lama in her former career as an actress, is thought to be contributing factors to her inclination to consider the invitation.

READ: 6 Ways Meghan Markle Broke Royal Protocol And Charted Her Own Path

According to Daily Mail, Welby is said to have vetoed the idea due to the Dalai Lama not being a Christian. After sharing his sentiments regarding the matter, he then told Harry and Meghan that they should instead have American bishop Michael Curry, who serves as the head of the Episcopal Church in the U.S., give a speech at the royal wedding. This suggestion came even though neither Meghan nor Harry had previously met Curry.

Alexander Norman, the author of "The Dalai Lama: An Extraordinary Life," stated that he felt as though the leader would have accepted the invitation had it been extended, since, according to Norman, "Tibetans like high-profile events."

Conflicting reports have since emerged that stated it was actually Prince Charles' idea to invite the Buddhist leader instead of Meghan's. However, Clarence House sources have reportedly said those statements are incorrect.