There’s growing anticipation among royal watchers that the 2027 Invictus Games, set to take place in Birmingham, UK, might serve as an opportunity for King Charles and Prince Harry to mend their fractured relationship.
The Duke of Sussex, who founded the Games to support military veterans and service members, is reportedly extending invitations to members of the royal family as a gesture of peace. However, royal experts suggest Harry may need to rebuild trust before any real reconciliation can happen.
Lingering Tensions Between Father and Son
The rift between King Charles and Prince Harry has deepened over recent years, largely due to Harry’s public criticism of the royal family.
Alongside Meghan Markle, the Duke has aired grievances in interviews, their Netflix docuseries, and most notably, his memoir. These revelations have left relations strained, and it remains uncertain whether the King would accept Harry’s invitation to attend the Invictus Games.
A Symbolic Event That May Be Hard to Ignore
Speaking with OK! Magazine, former royal press officer Dickie Arbiter emphasized that the monarch’s presence at the Games would carry significant weight, especially given its connection to the British military. “It would be a difficult one to skip,” Arbiter said. “Someone needs to find a resolution. There should be a presence of the King — maybe not William, but certainly the King.”
However, Arbiter also pointed out that Queen Camilla’s birthday could serve as a convenient reason for Charles to decline the invitation without causing further controversy.
Camilla’s 80th Birthday: A Convenient Conflict
The 2027 Invictus Games are scheduled for July 10–17, with the closing ceremony falling on July 17 — Queen Camilla’s 80th birthday. The occasion is expected to be a significant royal celebration. Arbiter suggested this overlap might offer the royal family an easy out, noting, “There is precedent. No royals attended the 10th anniversary at St. Paul’s Cathedral last year. Harry came; we’re led to believe there were soft invites, but the royals said they were busy.”
He added, “Camilla’s birthday also falls during Invictus. So yes, they have excuses.”
An Apology May Be the Only Way Forward
For Harry to truly mend ties with his father and brother, Arbiter believes a genuine apology is essential. Referring to Harry’s BBC interview, in which he questioned how much time his father might have left, Arbiter was blunt: “You don’t say things like that in public. He’s got a lot of ground to make up — and the ground is with a capital A: Apology. And you’ve got to mean it.”
The expert also expressed doubts that King Charles would be willing to meet Harry without assurances of privacy. “His father won’t see him because he thinks anything he says will be all over the internet in a nanosecond — and he can’t trust him.”
William Unlikely to Attend
While there’s a slim chance Charles may consider showing up, Arbiter was clear that Prince William is highly unlikely to attend. “He’s got to clear a lot of bad air to get them there,” Arbiter explained. “William really doesn’t want anything to do with him. A parent is slightly different — he loves his son, but he’s very hurt by what his son has done.”