Prince Harry's Invictus Games in Birmingham may still be a year away, but planning for the event is well underway. One plan the Duke of Sussex is seemingly hatching for next summer's Games is a public reunion between him and his estranged father, the King.
If the monarch were to accept an invitation to appear at the event, it could pave the way for the King and his estranged son to appear in public together for the first time in years, signalling a major shift in relations between the pair.
Background of the rift
Harry has been largely estranged from the royals after criticising his father, stepmother Camilla, brother the Prince of Wales, and sister-in-law Kate in his Oprah interview, Netflix documentary, interviews, and autobiography Spare, after stepping down from the working monarchy six years ago.
But he has been buoyed by the emotional reunion with his father, alongside his wife Meghan and their children, at Highgrove last month for the first time in four years.
Royal expert weighs in
Royal expert Jennie Bond believes there are many factors at play. The former BBC royal correspondent told the Mirror: “The games are still the best part of a year away and a lot can happen between now and then. However, the King's diary is mapped out months in advance. It’s reasonable, therefore, to assume that preliminary discussions will be taking place about whether to create a potential gap in the diary for the opening of the games.”
She added: “It’s scheduled to be just a week before Queen Camilla's 80th birthday, which is certainly something the King will want to mark. Assuming Harry is still in the country at that point, perhaps we could expect him to be included in any celebrations. It will all depend on whether the Palace feels Harry and Meghan are to be trusted - and also on what William would feel about it.”
“So there are a lot of ifs and buts at this point. However, there would be a wonderful symmetry if Charles, Camilla and William were alongside Harry for the opening of the Birmingham games – just as they were at the inaugural games in 2014 in London.”
Harry's intentions
Sources previously revealed Harry wants to arrange further meetings with the monarch to allow him to spend time with his grandchildren, who he has hardly seen since Harry and Meghan quit their royal roles in 2020 and moved to the United States.
One insider said: “Harry’s intention is twofold. He would love the King’s support at the Games, while having his father by his side would also add considerable weight to his argument for security for his family to accompany him on the trip.”
Another source said: “Next year is a big deal for Harry. He is determined that the Birmingham Games will be the best ever and it would mean the world to him to have his father there.”
The Invictus Games legacy
Harry originally launched the Invictus Games in London in 2014, with the competition aiming to challenge "perceptions of disability, champion adaptive sport, and demonstrate the resilience, determination and unconquered spirit of wounded, injured and sick service personnel and veterans".
At his side for the opening ceremony was the King, Queen Camilla, and his older brother Prince William, with pictures from the time showing them greeting each other affectionately with kisses before the royals proudly watched Harry deliver a speech.
Turning to next year's return of the Games to the UK, Jennie added: “I think there is a fighting chance that the King will be there. It’s such a brilliant cause and probably Harry's best achievement. I’m sure Charles is proud of his son. As for William, there are no signs yet of any thaw in the frost.”
“But he has much to think about with the 30th anniversary of Diana’s death next year, which – before the rift – is something he would have marked with Harry, as well as the Invictus Games.”
“Personally, I think it would be brilliant if we could see them all standing alongside one another and calling a halt to the bitterness. Families are complicated. Families fall out. But that doesn’t mean it has to last forever.”
