Prince Harry's Invictus Dream in Danger as William Plots a Power Move
According to royal expert Tom Bower, Prince William wishes to avoid further controversy involving the Sussexes and protect the Firm's image.
Despite six years having passed since the infamous royal exit, the feud between once-close brothers, Prince Harry and Prince William, shows no signs of fading. According to royal expert Tom Bower, Harry's hope of having King Charles attend the 2027 Invictus Games in Birmingham may now be at risk. He claims the Prince of Wales, who's now calling the shots in major monarchical decisions, could prevent his father from attending, aiming to avoid further controversy involving the Sussexes and protect the Firm's image.
Speaking on Daily Expresso, a podcast by The Daily Express, Bowers told host JJ Anisiobi that Charles's Invictus attendance looked very slim. When the host asked, "So you don't think there's a chance that King Charles will just pop in for five minutes, say hello, smile for the cameras, shake his son's hand, and then jump back in the Rolls-Royce?" Bower replied, "Not least because of what we've discussed, but also because I think William will forbid it." The Duke's dream is not only to see his father in the audience but also to see him publicly aligned with Invictus, potentially even sharing the stage, making up for good media coverage.
To argue his point, the royal expert pointed out William's strict stance against his estranged brother and his approach to modernizing the monarchy. He stressed, "I think William's role in all this is pretty critical, and he wants to have a smooth transition. He wants to change the monarchy…He needs to appeal to young people and all the other things." He continued, "He [William] doesn't want to be involved in more controversy, especially to benefit Harry and Meghan." Indeed, a potential appearance by the King would likely shift the focus from the veteran competitors and onto the tensions within the family.
Previously, royal expert Richard Fitzwilliams has also spoken about how Harry's Invictus could put Charles in a dicey position. He told the Daily Express, "This invitation to King Charles to open the Invictus Games in Birmingham is Harry's trump card. Invictus is his top achievement, and it is a charity so well regarded that it celebrated its first decade with a service at St. Paul's." Invictus, a globally acclaimed military charity that empowers injured servicemen and veterans, aligns with the King's royal role. He added, "The Windsors have a strong sense of duty, and therefore one would expect him [Charles], whatever feelings he has about the difficulties that the Sussexes have wrought for the royal family, to accept."
And even though any confirmation on Charles's attendance is still pending, sources told The Daily Beast that the monarch may consider responding to the invite, a prospect that is reportedly not sitting well with the Prince of Wales. At the same time, the development has unsettled royal watchers on the King's side, who view it as an effort to force him into attending the Games, and, by extension, to confer a sense of legitimacy on his youngest son.
