Prince Harry is said to be keen for his father, King Charles, to take a prominent role at the upcoming Invictus Games in Birmingham, a move that could place the monarch in a difficult position between his two sons.
A Father's Potential Invictus Role
According to royal sources, the Duke of Sussex "desperately" wants the King to open the event on stage alongside him next year. The tournament for wounded military personnel will be held in the United Kingdom for the first time since 2014, making the 2027 Birmingham event a significant milestone. The week-long spectacle is scheduled to begin at the NEC on July 10 and conclude on July 17, which coincides with Queen Camilla's 80th birthday.
While invitations to the royal family have not yet been formally issued, organisers for the Invictus Games Birmingham 2027 confirmed they would "very much welcome their presence." The royal family has supported the event since its founding in 2014.
The Question of Attendance and Security
Prince Harry's planned return to the UK for the games has also sparked speculation about whether his wife, Meghan, the Duchess of Sussex, will accompany him. The couple, who stepped back from royal duties six years ago, now reside in Montecito, California, with their children, Archie, six, and Lilibet, four.
BBC royal correspondent Jennie Bond suggested Meghan is a "savvy woman" who understands she might face some hostility in the UK but would be "safe" within the supportive "bubble" of the Invictus community. Bond noted that staying away could generate as many headlines as attending, potentially fuelling narratives that she "can't stand the UK."
A significant factor in any visit remains security. Prince Harry lost a High Court battle to reinstate his taxpayer-funded police protection and is currently awaiting the outcome of a Home Office review. Jennie Bond stated that if the review grants the level of protection Harry seeks, "there will be no obvious reason to prevent them coming over as a family." She added that King Charles would likely "relish the chance to get to know his grandchildren."
A Royal Rift and a King's Choice
The central tension, however, may lie within the family itself. Jennie Bond highlighted that the Invictus Games represent Prince Harry's "great cause and his greatest achievement," and any father would wish to support his son. Yet, the situation is far from simple for the King.
"It could become a classic case of a father having to choose between his warring sons," Bond explained. She pointed out that Prince William has "bitten his lip" and focused on his duties despite the serious health challenges faced by both his wife, Catherine, and his father. For William, witnessing his father publicly endorse Harry's achievement on a global stage could be "tough."
This creates a poignant dilemma for King Charles: whether to publicly support Harry's flagship project, potentially at the cost of further straining relations with the Prince of Wales. The Invictus Games, intended as a celebration of resilience, may thus set the stage for a delicate and very public test of royal family dynamics.
