Why King Charles Has 'Nothing to Lose' by Backing Prince Harry's Invictus Games
EXCLUSIVE: Could the King's aims as monarch be aligned with Prince Harry's Invictus Games?
Following his highly publicized July reunion with King Charles and Queen Camilla, recent reports suggest that Prince Harry is set to reach out to his father again. The Daily Mirror reported that Harry could extend an invite for his father to appear at either the opening or closing ceremony at the forthcoming 2027 Invictus Games.
This comes after he took tea at his father’s private Gloucester residence alongside his wife Meghan Markle and their two children, Prince Archie and Princess Lilibet. Following the news, one royal commentator told the Royal Observer that it would be a ‘brilliant’ idea for King Charles to publicly endorse the ‘very worthwhile endeavor'.
Speaking exclusively to me, Afua Hagan stated: “I think for King Charles to lend his support to the Invictus Games would be brilliant. Also, he'll be a father supporting his son and supporting his son in a very worthwhile endeavor.”
The highly anticipated next event is due to take place at a series of venues in Birmingham, UK, between July 10-17, 2027. Hagan added that because such a large-scale event would take place in the UK, it would be ‘awkward’ for Harry if he did not extend any sort of invitation. “I think to have it on home turf [in Birmingham] and not invite the King or any other members of the royal family would be hugely awkward,” she remarked.
The Invictus Games was founded to be an international multi-sport event to support wounded, injured and sick military service personnel.
“There literally is nothing not amazing about the Invictus Games. I think from both sides, it would be great
Hagan also pointed out that with this specific connection, supporting the Games would also align closely with the King's constitutional role as head of the UK military. “King Charles is the Commander-in-Chief of the armed forces, and of course there are so many wounded veterans. And [it’s] absolutely in line with what he already does.”
Of course, there is also the potentially contentious personal element of such an appearance following years of highly reported division within the Royal Family, which intensified after Harry and Markle's interview with Oprah Winfrey, their joint Netflix docuseries and the Duke's bombshell memoir, Spare. The commentator suggested that His Majesty would have nothing to lose by putting their feud behind them and supporting a worthwhile cause such as Invictus.
“I think Prince Harry would also like to see the King supporting him, supporting his legacy, supporting something that he is clearly so passionate about,” Hagan admitted to me. “But I think it would also be great for the King and the royal family to look like they are supporting someone within the family who is doing something that is amazing.”
She added: “There literally is nothing not amazing about the Invictus Games. I think from both sides it would be great. I think on a personal level for Prince Harry, he would appreciate the support, and I think on a personal level for King Charles, it could make him look less rigid and less kind of cold.”
