Sadiq Khan snubbed an offer from the Duke and Duchess of Sussex to visit their California home during a visit to the US to avoid being drawn into their row with the Palace.
Prince Harry and Meghan Markle extended an invite to the London Mayor as he was a 90 minute drive away from their £11million mansion near Santa Barbara, reports the Evening Standard.
Instead he sent his apologies, blaming his busy schedule as he was due at a party organised by the City Hall in West Hollywood.
It's been reported that Khan avoided the pair who quit royal duties in 2020 as he was keen to avoid any awkward moments when he saw Prince William and the Queen within days of his return.
Khan has met Harry on several occasions and the two are believed to have a good relationship.
Norman Baker, former Lib Dem Transport Secretary and an author of a book on the Royal Family, told Mail Online : “Although Harry and Meghan are semi-divorced from the Royal Family they need to be careful not to demonstrate any political allegiance.
“ Sadiq Khan was right to turn this invitation down.”
Khan’s Hollywood party was attended by several British ex-pats such as Late, Late Show host James Corden and Notting Hill director Richard Curtis.
On his return the London Mayor met Prince William at the FA Cup final between eventual winners Liverpool and Chelsea last Saturday.
During the week he saw her majesty and her fourth child Edward at the opening of Crossrail.
Khan spent several days touring the US, arriving first in New York City and then to San Francisco and Los Angeles, to “bang the drum for London”.
He met with senior politicians including former presidential nominee Hillary Clinton during the trip and threw the first pitch at a Baseball game.
During the tour he visited Universal Studios in LA to announce a new partnership for young trainees from London.
He added: “I’m delighted to be at NBCUniversal today to announce that young London trainees will work behind the scenes on some of the world’s biggest blockbusters, such as Wicked and Fast X, which will be filmed in London.
“Our capital’s booming film industry is helping to drive our economic recovery, but it’s vital that we ensure that Londoners from all backgrounds can benefit.
“That’s why I’m so proud to announce this ground-breaking partnership with NBCUniversal and Film London that will see young Londoners from diverse backgrounds earn a unique opportunity to start their careers in the film and TV industry.”
Jacob Rees-Mogg later criticised the trip, calling it “tough on taxpayers”.
Speaking to LBC, the Brexit opportunities minister questioned who was paying for the Mayor of London to travel to the US on a tour where he praised the "high standards" of legalised cannabis farms.
He said: “"Who's paying for his fare? Is that a good use of taxpayers' money?
"The precept for the GLA (Greater London Authority) goes up and up and he goes swanning off around the world. It's all hunky dory for him but it's a bit tough on taxpayers."
