The Met Gala, the annual pinnacle of fashion and celebrity culture, is no stranger to controversy, but this year’s event has sparked a particularly juicy rumor. Royal commentator Angela Levin, known for her outspoken critiques of Prince Harry and Meghan Markle, has claimed that the Duke and Duchess of Sussex were deliberately snubbed by the Met Gala organizers, with their exclusion allegedly tied to a recent BBC scandal involving Prince Harry. As speculation swirls, Levin’s assertions have ignited debates on social media, with fans and critics dissecting the Sussexes’ absence from the star-studded event. But how much truth lies behind these claims, and what does this mean for Harry and Meghan’s public image?
The Met Gala Snub: Fact or Fiction?
On May 5, 2025, the Met Gala unfolded in New York City, celebrating the theme “Superfine: Tailoring Black Style.” The event drew A-listers like Rihanna, Cardi B, and Lewis Hamilton, but noticeably absent were Prince Harry and Meghan Markle, who have never attended the Gala despite their high-profile status. While their absence initially went unremarked, Angela Levin’s recent comments on GB News have thrust it into the spotlight. Levin claimed that the couple was “rejected” by Vogue editor-in-chief and Met Gala chairwoman Anna Wintour, alleging that their invitation was withheld due to concerns over their association with a BBC interview that stirred controversy.
Levin’s specific claim centers on a May 2, 2025, BBC interview in which Prince Harry discussed his strained relationship with King Charles III. In the interview, Harry expressed a desire for reconciliation, stating, “I would love reconciliation with my family. I don’t know how much longer my father has. He won’t speak to me because of this security stuff.” The timing was significant, as the interview coincided with Harry’s loss of an appeal to restore full UK police protection, a decision he argued compromised his family’s safety. Levin suggested that the candid nature of Harry’s comments, combined with the Sussexes’ history of public criticisms of the royal family, made them “too controversial” for the Met Gala’s carefully curated guest list.
“Anna Wintour runs a tight ship, and the Met Gala is about glamour, not drama,” Levin said on GB News. “Harry’s BBC interview was seen as airing dirty laundry, and Meghan’s presence would have drawn attention away from the event’s purpose. They were quietly left off the list.” Levin’s remarks have sparked a firestorm, with some praising her for “exposing” the Sussexes’ declining influence, while others accuse her of fabricating drama for attention.
The BBC Scandal: What’s the Connection?
The so-called “BBC scandal” refers to the fallout from Harry’s May 2 interview, which Levin and other royal commentators have framed as a misstep for the Duke. The interview was intended to promote Harry’s upcoming initiative with the Diana Award in Las Vegas, but his comments about King Charles and the security dispute dominated headlines. Critics argued that Harry’s public discussion of private family matters was ill-timed, especially as it coincided with the Met Gala and Prince Archie’s sixth birthday on May 6. Some royal watchers speculated that the remarks were perceived as an attempt to overshadow King Charles’s ongoing public engagements, further straining the Sussexes’ relationship with the monarchy.
Levin’s claim ties this incident to the Met Gala by suggesting that Wintour, a known admirer of the British monarchy, was wary of inviting a couple whose recent actions could invite negative press. In 2019, Wintour had expressed enthusiasm for having Meghan and Kate Middleton attend the Gala together, saying, “I would love to have the Duchess of Sussex and the Duchess of Cambridge together.” However, Levin argued that the Sussexes’ “toxic brand” in 2025—marked by their Netflix series, Harry’s memoir Spare, and ongoing legal battles—made them undesirable guests. “The BBC interview was the final straw,” Levin claimed. “It reminded everyone of the drama they bring.”
However, there’s no concrete evidence that the Met Gala explicitly rejected Harry and Meghan. Reports from Harper’s Bazaar and Town & Country suggest the couple’s absence was likely due to personal priorities, including Archie’s birthday and Harry’s Las Vegas commitment. A source close to the Sussexes told Harper’s Bazaar, “They were focused on family and professional obligations, not a red-carpet event.” These accounts contradict Levin’s narrative, raising questions about the validity of her claims.
Angela Levin’s Track Record
Levin, a royal biographer and frequent GB News contributor, has built a reputation for her critical stance on Harry and Meghan. Her 2018 book, Harry: Conversations with the Prince, offered an empathetic portrait of the Duke, but her views shifted after the couple stepped back from royal duties in 2020. Since then, Levin has accused Meghan of “destroying” the royal family, “controlling” Harry, and prioritizing fame over duty. Her past claims include alleging that Meghan mimicked Queen Elizabeth II in her Netflix series With Love, Meghan and that the couple demanded a New York school sign a gagging order during a 2021 visit.
Levin’s outspokenness has made her a polarizing figure. Supporters view her as a defender of the monarchy, while critics, including GB News viewers, have called her “obsessed” with the Sussexes. In 2022, she faced backlash for suggesting Harry married Meghan as an “alternative to his mother,” a claim that divided audiences. On X, users have responded to her latest Met Gala comments with skepticism, with posts like, “Angela Levin is at it again, making up stories about Harry and Meghan” and “No proof, just gossip. Why does she get airtime?” Others, however, echoed her sentiments, writing, “The Sussexes are a PR disaster. No wonder Anna Wintour didn’t want them.”
The Sussexes’ Public Image and the Met Gala
The Met Gala’s exclusivity—tickets reportedly cost $75,000—makes it a coveted platform for celebrities to cement their status. Royals like Princess Diana (1996) and Princess Beatrice (2018) have attended, but Harry and Meghan have yet to make their debut. Their absence in 2025 aligns with their broader shift away from high-profile red-carpet events, focusing instead on projects like Meghan’s lifestyle brand As Ever, her podcast Confessions of a Female Founder, and Harry’s Invictus Games. In April 2025, the couple attended the Time100 summit in New York, suggesting they remain active in elite circles, but the Met Gala’s unique blend of fashion and secrecy may not align with their current priorities.
Levin’s claim that the Sussexes’ “toxic brand” led to their rejection echoes sentiments from a 2023 Express.co.uk article, where commentator Kinsey Schofield argued that celebrities fear conversations with the couple could be “repeated,” citing their Netflix documentary and Spare. However, Anna Wintour’s past praise for Meghan—calling her “amazing” and defending her morning routine in Vogue—complicates this narrative. If Wintour had concerns, they may have been pragmatic, as the Gala’s focus on Black tailoring could have been overshadowed by the Sussexes’ media draw.
The Bigger Picture: Scrutiny and Speculation
Levin’s claims tap into a broader pattern of scrutiny surrounding Harry and Meghan. Since stepping back from royal duties, they’ve faced accusations of exploiting their titles for personal gain, a charge Levin has frequently leveled. Her reference to the BBC interview as a “scandal” may overstate its impact, as the interview garnered mixed reactions—some praised Harry’s vulnerability, while others, like Levin, saw it as divisive. The Met Gala rumor, lacking direct evidence, risks being another chapter in the ongoing media saga that paints the Sussexes as perpetual outsiders.
On X, the conversation is divided. Some users support Levin’s narrative, with posts like, “Harry’s BBC comments were a mess. No wonder the Met Gala didn’t want the drama.” Others defend the couple, arguing, “Meghan and Harry chose family over a party. Levin’s just stirring the pot.” The lack of a statement from the Sussexes or Wintour leaves room for speculation, but it also highlights the public’s fascination with their every move.
Conclusion
Angela Levin’s claim that the Met Gala rejected Harry and Meghan due to a “BBC scandal” is a provocative narrative that lacks substantiated evidence. While the Sussexes’ absence from the 2025 Gala is undeniable, their decision may reflect personal priorities—Archie’s birthday, Harry’s Diana Award event—or a strategic choice to avoid events that could amplify scrutiny. Levin’s history of critical commentary suggests her claims may be driven by bias, yet they resonate with those who view the Sussexes as controversial figures. As the couple continues to carve their path in the US, their absence from the Met Gala speaks less to rejection and more to their evolving public identity. In a world obsessed with their narrative, one thing is clear: Harry and Meghan remain a lightning rod for debate, whether they’re on the red carpet or not.
