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Daily Mirror
Daily Mirror
Jennifer Newton

Harry and Meghan's relationship with the Obamas - birthday snub and Michelle's warning

Prince Harry's eagerly-anticipated memoir could reportedly be set for an awkward publication clash - with former US first lady Michelle Obama.

Harry, Michelle and her husband, former US president Barack Obama, seemingly forged a close working relationship - and appeared together in an unforgettable video to promote the 2016 Invictus Games.

And when Harry wed Meghan Markle, it was said that his new wife and ex-first lady also bonded over shared interests.

However, reports have suggested their friendship may have gone cold - and both Harry and Michelle's new books could end up going head-to-head when they are released later this year.

Prince Harry and Michelle Obama at an Invictus Games event in 2015 (AFP/Getty Images)

But how did the two power couples develop a special bond in the first place and where might the friendship have soured? Here we reveal all...

Bonding over Invictus

Harry's relationship with the former president and first lady of the United States started way before he wed Meghan.

He visited them during their time in the White House in both 2013 and 2015 and in 2016, he welcomed the couple to Kensington Palace during a visit to the UK alongside the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge.

Prince Harry interviews Barack Obama for BBC Radio 4's Today programme in 2017 (Kensington Palace via Getty Imag)

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It is said they bonded over Harry's Invictus Games - a sporting event for injured servicemen and women.

And Harry appeared in an amusing video to promote the games with the Obamas and even persuaded the Queen to star in it.

A year later, Harry also joined Michelle during a visit to a school in Chicago and interviewed Barack when he guest-edited the Today programme on BBC Radio 4. In the interview, the pair talked about the dangers of social media.

Meghan and Michelle's power meeting

Michelle released her autobiography Becoming in 2018 (WireImage)
Meghan Markle met Michelle Obama during a visit to London in 2018 (Getty Images)

When Harry and Meghan wed in 2018, the Obamas did not attend their wedding at St George's Chapel in Windsor.

But months later, Meghan was said to have had a 'power meeting' with Michelle in London as the former first lady promoted her autobiography, Becoming.

She made a secret visit to London's Southbank Centre to watch a talk by Michelle with the pair reportedly having a "long private audience" afterwards.

A friend told the Evening Standard : "They spoke at length about the importance of supporting and empowering women across all cultures and communities.

"They also talked about shared experiences of pregnancy and raising children, plus shared causes including girls’ education."

Michelle's warning

President Barack Obama and Michelle with the Queen (Getty Images)

However, according to the book Revenge: Meghan, Harry and the War Between the Windsors by Tom Bower, Michelle was "alarmed" by Meghan's attitude when she was attempting to find her royal role.

The book says the former first lady said in an interview about Meghan: "Take some time and don’t be in a hurry to do anything."

Bower adds: "In a warning note, she added: ‘Like me, Meghan probably never dreamt she’d have a life like this; no-deal, the pressure you feel can sometimes feel like a lot.’

"Meghan, Obama suggested, should be reasonable: ‘What I’d say is that there’s so much opportunity to do good with a platform like that and I think Meghan can maximise her impact for others, as well her own happiness, if she’s doing something that resonates with her personally'."

Touching Instagram posts

Meghan and Harry at the United Nations last week (Getty Images)

But despite the supposed warning after their meeting in London, Meghan and Michelle's friendship clearly blossomed.

That's because months later, the former first lady shared a touching Instagram post where she described Meghan as an "inspiration" and a "thoughtful leader".

Posting an image of the Duchess as she attended a reception for Young People at the Residence of the British High Commissioner in Cape Town, Michelle wrote: "Thank you to my friend, Her Royal Highness The Duchess of Sussex, a thoughtful leader who is breaking the mold and making our world better for it.

"Whether meeting with our leaders or helping girls around the world seek the education they deserve, she is an inspiration to so many."

In 2019, Meghan also interviewed Michelle when she guest-edited British Vogue and described her as "an "endearingly frank, down-to-earth" person.

Oprah aftermath

Harry and Meghan during their Oprah interview (HARPO PRODUCTIONS/AFP via Getty)

One mutual friend that the couples seem to have in common is Oprah Winfrey.

The Obamas have given many interviews to the chat show host over the years and last year, Harry and Meghan made several bombshell claims in their tell-all with Oprah.

During the interview, Harry and Meghan alleged that an unspecified member of the family had raised concerns over how dark their son Archie's skin tone might be.

In an interview with NBC, Mrs Obama was asked what she thought of Meghan telling Oprah she had "experienced racism".

She said: "The thing I hope for and the thing that think about is that this is first and foremost is a family and I pray for forgiveness and healing for them so they can use this as a teachable moment for us all."

Birthday snub?

The Obamas are known to greatly admire the Queen (Getty Images)

However, last August, reports surfaced that Harry and Meghan had been snubbed after they were not spotted at Barack's star-studded 60th birthday party last year.

The former president's glitzy party in Martha's Vineyard attracted A-list guests such as Jay-Z and Beyonce.

It's unclear if Harry and Meghan were not invited, or simply were unable to attend

But royal insiders suggested the former presidential couple were being cautious about appearing friendly with Harry and Meghan due to concerns about public image and out of respect for the Queen - who they are known to greatly admire.

Harry's well-publicised attacks on his royal relatives soured the Obama's opinion of the couple, according to an article written by royal expert Camilla Tominey in the Telegraph.

Camilla said: "It arguably will not have gone down well with a couple who have always put 'family first' to see Harry and Meghan being so openly critical of their royal relatives during their Oprah interview in March."

Meanwhile, an insider told her: "The Obamas didn’t like Harry attacking his family. They value family and certainly aren’t the type of people who would want their children talking to the press."

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