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Real Reason for Harry's UK Return Revealed — It Has Nothing to Do With Missing Charles

Prince Harry arrives at the Sir Michael Uren Hub at Imperial College London; (Inset) King Charles at the Braemar Gathering. Cover Image Source: Getty Images | Neil Mockford; (Inset) Max Mumby/Indigo
Prince Harry arrives at the Sir Michael Uren Hub at Imperial College London; (Inset) King Charles at the Braemar Gathering. Cover Image Source: Getty Images | Neil Mockford; (Inset) Max Mumby/Indigo
Jan. 16 2026, Published 04:36 AM. ET
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Prince Harry has reportedly invited King Charles to the 2027 Invictus Games in Birmingham, with sources claiming he is 'desperate' for a father-son reunion. However, a royal expert has disputed that narrative, arguing his UK return may be driven by more sinister ambitions outside familial ties. According to Kinsey Schofield, Harry's long-term goal was actually to establish a 'rival royal court' in Britain, which would allow him to commercially leverage his royal status and create an illusion of proximity to his family.

Charles, Prince of Wales and Prince Harry (wearing the regimental tie of the Household Division) attend the Opening Ceremony of the Invictus Games at the Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park on September 10, 2014 in London, England. (Cover Image Source: Getty Images | Max Mumby/Indigo)
King Charles and Prince Harry attend the Opening Ceremony of the Invictus Games at the Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park. (Image Source: Getty Images | Max Mumby/Indigo)

On the Talk TV Breakfast show, Schofield stressed that Harry's UK return extended far beyond the Invictus Games. She explained, "Does he want to be the next king? I don't think so, but he uses his royal status commercially here in the states, so it's very important that it looks like he has proximity to the royal family." She suggested that the Prince might try to establish his own independent circle of influence, staff, and public profile that operates alongside, and potentially in competition with, the British monarchy.

Prince Harry and Prince William at the state funeral and burial of Queen Elizabeth.
Prince Harry and Prince William at the state funeral and burial of Queen Elizabeth. (Image Source: Getty Images | Scott Garfitt- WPA Pool)

To argue her case, the royal expert alleged that Prince William was already aware of his brother's intentions, even hiring a crisis manager to tackle the issue of his potential UK return. "The Daily Mail report suggests it's really surrounding Andrew, but I would say, perhaps he is concerned that Prince Harry will have more of a presence in the UK, and this is him trying to be prepared for whatever that means." Agreeing with Schofield's take, Talk TV host Jeremy Kyle added, "We all know William won't have it, I think a lot of the briefing about Charles and the reconciliation is Harry desperate to get in with his father before William becomes king," before stressing that no Britons wanted Harry or Meghan Markle there.

Similarly, insiders have previously revealed that Harry was reportedly trying to establish a 'royal rival court' to compete with William's established circles. On his Substack, royal commentator Rob Shuter wrote that his sources alleged the Duke was laying the foundation for "a fully functioning royal court in Britain," meant to 'rival' his brother's. An insider spilled, "He's [Harry] been playing the long game…He wants to operate in the UK on his own terms — meetings, charitable work, high-level engagements — without being treated like a guest in his own country." Another added, "It's about creating a separate royal ecosystem. He's building a court, and he's doing it carefully."

Prince Harry, Duke of Sussex, joins a discussion on youth social action and mental health with participants from The Diana Award in Salisbury Square (Cover Image Source: Getty Images | Aaron Chown - Pool)
Prince Harry joins a discussion with participants from The Diana Award. (Image Source: Getty Images | Aaron Chown - Pool)

As for Harry's UK return for the Invictus Games, sources say he remains deeply involved in planning the event and is at his happiest when working on the ground. "He hates sitting in front of his computer. He loves to travel, getting around, meeting people — that's when he's at his best. It's going to be a fun year." The Invictus Games will be held in 2027, marking the event's first return to England since 2014.

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