Expert Claims Charles May Use Beatrice and Eugenie to ‘Snub’ Harry at Invictus Games: ‘They Would...’
Despite recent reports of a ‘peace summit’ between Prince Harry and King Charles’s aides, the royal rift between the father and son reportedly remains unresolved. While the Duke may have extended an ‘olive branch’ by inviting his father to the 2027 Invictus Games, Charles is allegedly reluctant to confront the tensions with his son in public. Royal expert Richard Fitzwilliams believes the King may appoint Princess Beatrice and Princess Eugenie to represent him at the Games and effectively ‘snub’ Harry to avoid a potential awkward encounter.
The royal expert suggested that Charles is 'certain to be represented' at the 2027 Invictus Games. He told The Daily Express, "We don’t yet know if the King, who is Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces, will attend....He might ask Beatrice and Eugenie, both of whom get on with the Sussexes, to represent him." He continued, "This would be quite within his rights as monarch, although it would obviously be seen as a snub. In any event, they (Eugenie and Beatrice) are expected to attend." It remains unclear if Meghan Markle, who is always by Harry's side at the Invictus events, will attend the competition in Birmingham, UK.
Echoing Fitzwilliams' claims, former Buckingham Palace press officer, Dickie Arbiter, revealed that the Invictus involves honoring the UK military, and Charles is the head of State. However, the expert claimed that the King has a perfect excuse to skip the Games as it coincides with Queen Camilla's birthday. According to OK! Magazine, he explained, "No royals went to the 10th anniversary at St. Paul's Cathedral last year. Harry came; we're led to believe there were soft invites, but the royals said they were busy. Camilla's birthday also falls during Invictus. So yes, they have excuses." Arbiter also opined that deciding against making an appearance at the event would be a ‘bad fit’ for the monarch.
In June, reports widely circulated that the Duke of Sussex planned to bury the hatchet with his family by inviting them to the upcoming Invictus Games. A source close to Harry told the Daily Mail, "Invictus hopes the Royal Family will come along to support the wounded veterans taking part. Harry is hopeful his father will set aside their differences to attend the Invictus Games and support veterans." Commenting on the Prince's thoughtful 'olive branch ', royal expert Ingrid Seward opined, "The only reason the King is wary of associating with his son is that he no longer trusts him not to repeat their private conversations as he has done in the past. This goes for all the working members of the family."
The Duke of Sussex has remained committed to supporting the military since retiring from the British Army in 2015, after ten years of service. In line with this dedication, he co-founded the Invictus Games in 2014, inspired by the Warrior Games in the United States. The Invictus Games is an international multi-sport event for wounded, injured, and sick military personnel and veterans. During his time in the military, Harry served as a forward air controller and an Apache helicopter pilot.