Charles Is Reportedly Planning to Extend an Olive Branch to Harry — but William Isn't Happy
The King is said to be considering a role in one of Harry's passion projects, much to the 'chagrin of William.'
Prince Harry’s planned return to the UK this summer for the Invictus Games is shaping up to be more than a sporting event. According to reports, it has become a fresh point of tension within the royal family, and particularly between King Charles and Prince William. The major bone of contention here is Harry’s reported wish for his father to open the Games, a move that would place the King and his younger son together in a very public setting after years of strain.
A source quoted by The Sun claims Harry is actively pushing for the moment. “Prince Harry desperately wants Charles at Invictus — and he wants him to open the games alongside him,” the source said. “Harry wants it to happen both for the Games and for their relationship. It’s his dream to have his father by his side.” Those involved in organizing the event appear to be taking the idea seriously. The same source added, “People helping to plan the Games are convinced it will happen and are planning for Charles to play a role in the opening ceremony.”
But there are practical complications. The opening ceremony clashes with Queen Camilla’s 80th birthday, which would normally keep the King committed elsewhere. However, the insider argued, “Planning committees are aware of Camilla’s birthday and hope Charles will be able to do the opening and attend events while still honoring commitments to his wife. And Harry is across every detail of what is going on with Invictus.”
Behind the scenes, the proposed plan has allegedly unsettled senior royals. According to The Daily Beast, “Friends and allies of King Charles and Prince William have been caught off guard by' news regarding the plans and verify that Charles is thinking about opening the Games, 'much to the chagrin of William.'” The outlet also said that friends of William are said to be urging the King’s team to shut the idea down quickly, before it gathers momentum. They are hoping for firm, skeptical briefings to appear in the press in the days ahead. At the same time, there is unease that Charles may still consider the invitation, viewing it as part of a wider effort to repair his relationship with Harry and spend time with his grandchildren in California.
By contrast, sources close to the King and Queen told the outlet that any attempt “to emotionally manipulate Charles will fail.” They pointed to his decision to remain “flat-out refusing” to meet Harry during his upcoming trip to London for the opening day of his legal case against Associated Newspapers. Even though this proposal has not yet gotten any official confirmation from the Palace, it has managed to draw the ire of experts and commentators. Commentator Nana Akua dismissed the idea outright. “I think a lot of people in this country are looking at this and thinking, ‘Harry is a spoilt brat,’” she said. “And perhaps he could just bring the kids to see the King because that’s really what this should be about, not him. Given the way he’s slagged off this country and his own family, it’s all very embarrassing.”
