Prince Harry is preparing to extend a significant olive branch to his father, King Charles, by inviting him to officially open the Invictus Games when the event returns to the UK in 2027. This move is seen as a major attempt to ease the strained relations between the feuding royals and could see the pair share a stage in Birmingham.
A Symbolic Gesture for Reconciliation
The King has met his youngest son only twice in recent years, with their encounters being notably brief. He is also not believed to have seen his grandchildren, Archie, six, and Lilibet, four, since the late Queen's Platinum Jubilee celebrations in June 2022. However, the prospect of a joint appearance at the opening ceremony of the Invictus Games next summer presents a powerful symbol of potential reconciliation.
Sources have indicated to The Sun that both the King and the Duke of Sussex are keen to mend their relationship. Achieving this at the Games would be deemed 'appropriate' given Charles's position as Head of the Armed Forces, a cause intrinsically linked to the event Harry founded in 2014 for wounded, sick, and injured service personnel.
The Path to a Thaw: Security and Health Hurdles
The journey towards this potential public reunion has been fraught with obstacles. A longstanding dispute over the removal of Harry's taxpayer-funded armed police protection in 2020 has previously complicated travel plans, especially with his children. Furthermore, the King's own battle with cancer, diagnosed in February 2024, limited opportunities for visits.
However, recent developments have improved the outlook. The monarch revealed last month that his cancer treatment would be scaled back, describing his progress as a 'personal blessing'. Crucially, sources close to the Sussexes now suggest Prince Harry has won his fight to have his round-the-clock security detail restored following a fresh risk assessment. A ruling in his favour, expected within weeks, could make it feasible for him to bring his family to the UK.
Building Trust After Years of Turmoil
Insiders report that Harry is determined to 'reset' his relationship with his family, starting with his father. During their first meeting in over 18 months in September, which lasted 54 minutes, Harry reportedly promised the King he could be trusted to stay quiet about their private discussions, a direct response to the revelations in his memoir 'Spare' and various TV interviews.
A royal source stated at the time: 'This is an important first step towards rebuilding their father-and-son relationship. He has told his father he won't be giving any interviews about it... There's a long way to go before Harry can earn his family's trust but he's given some assurances.'
The Invictus Games' return to British shores in July 2027 for the first time in 13 years now offers a unique and public platform for healing. While Buckingham Palace and Invictus Games organisers have declined to comment, sources claim organisers are 'convinced' the joint appearance will happen, marking a new chapter for the royal family.
