Sean "Diddy" Combs, the renowned music mogul, reportedly made over ten attempts to entice British royalty, specifically Prince William and Prince Harry, into his elite party scene. However, according to Diddy's former representative Rob Shuter, the royal brothers consistently turned down these invitations, avoiding the rapper's famed, high-profile social gatherings. Shuter disclosed the persistent fascination Diddy had with the princes, describing his desire to have them as part of his entourage.
"Diddy was obsessed with Prince Harry and Prince William," Shuter revealed in an interview with the BBC. "He thinks of himself as a king, so it makes perfect sense that he would like to have two princes in his entourage. [Harry and William] never accepted [the invites]; they were never part of his world."
Combs himself acknowledged his fascination during a 2011 interview on "The Graham Norton Show," admitting that he repeatedly tried to get the brothers to join his parties. "Before, when they were young bucks growing up, and they were getting in a lot of trouble themselves, so, hey, I was like, 'Why don't you come hang out with me?'" Combs reminisced. Despite his enthusiasm, Prince William and Prince Harry decided to stay clear of Diddy's extravagant events.
Royal expert and author Christopher Andersen noted that the invitations stopped after Prince William's engagement to Kate Middleton in 2010. "Those invitations were wisely turned down, and after William and Kate [Middleton] got engaged, Diddy got the hint and stopped inviting them altogether," Andersen told Fox News. "Thanks to their palace handlers, they dodged a bullet there."
During the early 2000s, both William and Harry were well-known for their nights out at London nightclubs, earning themselves the reputation of "party animals." Their frequent public appearances at such venues led Diddy to believe they might be open to joining his social circle. According to Andersen, however, palace advisers likely intervened, and the royals were kept away from Diddy's so-called "wild parties."
The invitations first began in 2007 when Diddy performed at a benefit concert in honor of Prince William and Prince Harry's late mother, Princess Diana. Despite the initial connection, the brothers never engaged with the hip-hop mogul's inner circle. By the time of Prince William's engagement, Combs understood that the door had closed on the possibility of including the royals in his events.
"Not anymore," said Graham Norton during the 2011 interview, pointing out that Prince William was set to marry Middleton. In response, Diddy reassured the host, saying, "Trust me, they're off the list." The conversation marked the end of Diddy's attempts to bring the royal siblings into his exclusive party scene.
The decline of Diddy's invitations coincided with Prince William's transition into his new role as a family man and future King. After marrying Kate Middleton, the once-party-loving prince focused on family duties, distancing himself from the public nightlife that had previously defined his younger years. Prince Harry, too, moved away from his party-going days, ultimately settling down and marrying Meghan Markle in 2018.
Despite the princes declining his invitations, Diddy's gatherings remained popular among celebrities, attracting prominent figures from Hollywood, the music industry, and sports. However, these high-profile parties have recently come under scrutiny due to legal troubles involving the rapper. Last month, Combs was arrested on charges that include racketeering conspiracy, sex trafficking, and transportation to engage in prostitution.
A raid conducted in March at Combs' homes allegedly revealed thousands of bottles of lubricant and baby oil, which were said to have been used during his notorious "freak-off" parties. The embattled music mogul, currently 54 years old, denies all allegations and is being held in custody at the Metropolitan Detention Center in Brooklyn, New York.
During a recent press conference, Texas-based attorney Tony Buzbee announced that he represents 120 individuals who are filing lawsuits against Combs. According to Buzbee, the cases span decades and involve allegations of sexual assault against minors, including a nine-year-old. These developments have brought further scrutiny to Diddy's past and cast a shadow over his career, which once included collaborations with celebrities and attempted connections to British royalty.
