Prince Harry's 'desperate desire' to 'fulfil a dream' with King Charles at Invictus Games
Harry's Invictus Games returns to the UK next summerPrince Harry could make a pretty big olive branch to his father, King Charles, ahead of the Invictus Games next year.
The Duke of Sussex’s Invictus Games will return to the UK in 2027 for the first time since its first event in 2014. It’ll be hosted in Birmingham.
It was previously reported that Harry had invited his family to the event next summer. Now, sources claim that Harry, 41, wants the king to “open the games alongside him”.
Prince Harry wants to ‘fulfil a dream’ with King Charles at Invictus Games
Harry’s Invictus Games is an international multi-sport event for wounded, injured and sick military service personnel, both serving and veterans.
Speaking to The Sun, an insider claimed Harry wants to “fulfil a dream” with the king at the event.
They reportedly said: “Prince Harry desperately wants Charles at Invictus, and he wants him to open the games alongside him. Harry wants it to happen both for the games, and for their relationship. It’s his dream to have his father by his side.
“It is appropriate because Invictus is returning to the UK for the first time since 2014, and given Charles is Head of the Armed Forces. Invictus always invites Heads of State but Harry wants to go further with Charles involved in the opening ceremony. The games represent a cause close to both’s hearts.”
The source added: “They appear to want a reconciliation and the games are a perfect opportunity for them to work alongside each other. The sight of them on stage when it opens would be heart-warming and in the spirit of the occasion.”
The insider claimed that people helping to plan the games are “convinced it will happen” and plan for Charles to “play a role in the opening ceremony”.
Whether the king will accept the invitation remains unknown. Royal Insider has contacted reps for Prince Harry for comment.
Invictus Games statement
A spokesperson for Invictus Games told us: “The Royal Family have been longstanding supporters of the Invictus Games since its inception in 2014, with The Duke of Sussex as the Founding Patron of the Invictus Games Foundation. While it is too early to confirm who will attend in 2027 as invitations have not yet been sent out, organisers of Invictus Games Birmingham 2027 will issue invitations to members of the Royal Family in due course, and we would very much welcome their presence.”
King Charles ‘wary’ of attending Invictus Games
Last year, a royal commentator said the king may feel “wary” of accepting his youngest son’s invitation to attend the games, given the long-running tensions within the family.
The Invictus Games remains very close to Harry’s heart since it launched over a decade ago.
The 2027 games will take place from July 10 to July 17.
In a statement, Harry said: “We have no doubt the people of Birmingham will join in celebrating the unwavering respect and admiration we have for our veteran and service community, showing the world how their courage ignites hope and unites us all—something your city knows well.”
Prince Harry desperately wants Charles at Invictus, and he wants him to open the games alongside him.
Harry’s relationship with his family has been strained for some years. Following his exit from royal duties in 2020, Harry moved to the US with his wife, Meghan Markle.
The couple then did a series of tell-all interviews and Harry released his memoir, Spare, in 2023. They made a series of damning allegations about the royals and spoke about their experience within the monarchy.
However, since then, the couple’s relationship with the royals has been strained.
Harry calls for reconciliation with royal family
In an interview with Oprah Winfrey in 2021, Harry and Meghan opened up about their experience in the royal family.
At the time, Harry claimed his father had stopped taking his calls in early 2020 after he and Meghan decided to quit their senior duties.
A few years on, in May of last year, Prince Harry expressed a desire to reconcile with his family in a BBC interview.
Read more: ‘Dramatic change’ in Prince Harry’s behaviour at Invictus Games as event gears up for UK return
Then, in September 2025, Charles and Harry met in person for the first time in 19 months. They had a private tea at the king’s London residence, Clarence House.
With a full reconciliation between Harry, Meghan and the royal family still yet to happen, could the 2027 Invictus Games be the perfect opportunity?
Would you like to see King Charles open the Invictus Games with Harry? Let us know by commenting on our Royal Insider Facebook page.
