Prince Harry has faced another setback as the British public urge King Charles not to join him at the 2027 Invictus Games in Birmingham. The Duke of Sussex, 41, will host the event in the UK next year and reportedly wants his father to attend, particularly for the opening or closing ceremony.
Public opinion poll
A Daily Express poll, running from 11.20am on August 4 to 3pm on August 5, asked readers whether the King should join Harry at the games. Of the 4,903 participants, 4,600 voted no, while 245 said yes and 58 were undecided.
The result indicates that most respondents do not want the monarch to appear alongside Harry at the 2027 event. King Charles has not commented on whether he will attend.
Harry's hopes and security concerns
A source told The Mirror: “Harry’s intention is two-fold. 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.”
It is also believed Harry would like his father to speak to veterans if he were to attend.
Recent meeting and upcoming visit
The Duke last saw King Charles in July at Highgrove, along with his wife Meghan Markle and their children, Prince Archie and Princess Lilibet. That meeting was kept private, with the Palace confirming it afterwards and sharing no further details.
Harry is due to visit the UK again in September for the Wellchild Awards 2026, though it is unknown if he will see his father then. He is reportedly offered a room at Buckingham Palace for the stay.
