Prince Harry's Invictus Games 'invitation' to King Charles is 'direct challenge'
The king could have a big decision to makePrince Harry is reportedly set to invite his father, King Charles, and other royals to the Invictus Games in 2027.
The games will be taking place in Birmingham in less than two years. However, Harry‘s rumoured invitation has been branded “problematic” by a royal expert.
Prince Harry’s Invictus Games ‘invitation’ to King Charles and Queen Camilla
It was recently claimed that Prince Harry will reportedly offer the king and queen the opportunity to come and watch the Invictus Games when it returns to UK soil in 2027.
One insider told The Mail on Sunday: “Harry has agreed that Invictus should extend an invitation to his family. Invictus hopes the royal family will come along to support the wounded veterans taking part. Harry is hopeful his father will set aside their differences to attend.
“The royals have always been hugely supportive of Invictus and proud of what Harry has achieved in that arena. This is one olive branch from him, which might be reciprocated.”
Invictus Games invitations are ‘problematic’
However, the Invictus Games 2027 will clash with an important occasion for the royals – Queen Camilla’s 80th birthday.
The games’ closing ceremony will reportedly take place on July 17, 2027, the same day as Camilla’s birthday.
The invitation to attend Invictus represents a direct challenge to King Charles.
Speaking to The Express, royal expert Richard Fitzwilliams explained that a potential invitation could give the king a big dilemma.
“He [king] is Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces and Invictus is a major military charity. Also, as head of state, he is a symbol of national unity. If he accepts, he would be putting duty above what obviously is a painful public rift between him and his family and the Sussexes. It will be argued that that is his job,” he said.
‘A direct challenge’
Richard then continued.
“However, it might involve extremely serious problems for the royal family, who rightly do not trust the Sussexes. If the king accepted it, this would involve public contact with Harry and almost certainly Meghan and his grandchildren, Archie and Lili,” he said.
“The invitation to attend Invictus represents a direct challenge to King Charles. Much will hinge on how he replies and what subsequently happens.”
Charles could feel ‘uncomfortable’ by Prince Harry invitation
Speaking to Royal Insider on behalf of Prime Casino, Charles’ former royal butler Grant Harrold explained the emotional and symbolic weight of Harry’s potential invitation.
“If he does invite the king and the king goes, that would mean they are definitely back on speaking terms,” he said. “And if he doesn’t, it would show the state of play is very much as it was. I think he definitely will invite the king. He always has, and I think he always will, and is trying to repair the relationship with his father.”
“It’s not just the king who makes these decisions. It’s his advisors, the people around him, and possibly even Prince William. I can imagine that if the king doesn’t go, it would make him feel quite uncomfortable because it is his son who has asked him. He is a very kind and compassionate individual. Whatever has gone on between them, I don’t think he would ever want to upset him,” he added.
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