King Charles may feel "obliged" to attend Prince Harry's Invictus Games competition in Birmingham next year despite the recent drama, an expert has said. For months, it has been reported that the Duke of Sussex wants his father to be at the opening of the Invictus Games 2027 next year.
However, it seems that this could now be awkward, especially as Uganda has pulled out of the Games, stating that it will not participate in any event without King Charles's approval. This comes days after the King released a statement confirming that Harry and Meghan are not working members of the Royal Family, despite their UK return, and that they are private citizens who do not represent the monarchy.
Harry and Meghan's reaction
Harry and Meghan's team said the couple were surprised about the letter sent on King Charles' behalf, leading to a whole new saga. Now a country has pulled out of the foundation's competition, which Prince Harry first set up in 2014 to help ex-servicemen and women, the duke is likely to be feeling even more annoyed about King Charles' letter.
It also could make it awkward for the monarch to then be at the games, especially as a country have quit and claimed they did this in support of him.
Expert's view on the monarch's attendance
Speaking about what this could mean for Invictus, and whether the monarch will attend, royal expert Richard Fitzwilliams told The Daily Express: "If other countries followed Uganda in leaving Invictus, this would be serious. Harry wants King Charles to open the Games.
"Since the King is Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces and Invictus is an important military charity, he may well feel obliged to, whatever his private views. On the other hand, the Sussexes' outrageous decision to come to Britain, for reasons which are still hotly debated, has led to a formal statement from the King which has reportedly displeased them."
Future of the Games
Fitzwilliams continued: "With the obvious danger that the Royal Family's work will be overshadowed by the unpredictable duo and that, whereas relations could improve, they could also worsen, the future is unpredictable.
"Since Harry has lost Sentebale and Africa Parks, he is left with Invictus as his major charitable activity."
Uganda pulling out of the games does not affect the competition and whether or not it will go ahead. The 2027 competition will be mainly held at the National Exhibition Centre (NEC) next year. The competition will run from July 10 to July 17 2027, with the formal opening ceremony on Saturday, July 10. Competitors are expected to attend from around the globe.
