Prince Harry is surely wondering what is going on right now. Since arriving back in the UK with his family, barely a day has passed without more drama. Just a few days ago, his beloved Invictus Games was caught up in the latest fallout from his ongoing feud with the Royal Family, with Uganda announcing that they would be withdrawing from next year's events out of respect for King Charles.
King's intervention secures Uganda's return
Then days later, it was revealed that the King had helped his youngest son get the African country back in the Games. If the former working royal wanted proof that his father had an enormous influence, as well as evidence that he had not completely shut him out, he had just been handed it.
Uganda cited the King's statement, released to remind everyone that the Duke and Duchess of Sussex were not working royals, as a reason to pull out. After a major behind-the-scenes operation, Uganda was reassured that the King fully supported its participation. And suddenly, Uganda is back.
A brutal reminder of influence
This is where things have now got embarrassing for Harry. For years, Harry has spoken about his family supposedly freezing him out and refusing to support his work. However, it was the institution that he walked away from six years ago that has now bent over backwards to get one of his biggest projects back on track.
Although Harry may not be a working royal, this is a brutal reminder that his father's influence is greater than his own. Prince Harry launched the Invictus Games in 2014. Despite wanting to be free from the Firm, the King is effectively helping to protect the legacy he built outside it.
Legacy and power dynamics
Whatever Harry may think of the monarchy, Uganda clearly still cares about its approval, and when the bitter feud got in the way, it was not Harry who provided the decisive reassurance; it was Charles. This does, of course, not show that the King has now completely forgiven his son, but it does demonstrate one thing: being outside of the Firm does not mean you are more powerful than it.
