Why the Invictus Games Are The Perfect Stage for a Reconciliation Between Prince Harry and King Charles
We have received the news that Prince Harry intends to invite his father to the next Invictus Games due to be held in the UK next year.
The ball is now in the Palace’s court. After last month’s meeting at Highgrove, the door is not fully open, but it is slightly ajar. All of the parties seemed to get what they desired from the choreographed and controlled tea. The King had the chance to see his grandchildren for the first time in four years since the Platinum Jubilee in 2022. On the other side, Prince Harry and Meghan received plenty of headlines which firmly re-established their royal links around the world. By and large, the duo has stuck to the reported agreements and has stayed pretty much silent on the reunion. No pictures from Gloucester were shared on Meghan’s Instagram profile – unlike snaps from Althorp, the childhood home of the late Princess Diana – and briefings have been sparse. Now, we have received the news that Prince Harry intends to invite his father to the next Invictus Games which are due to be held in the UK next year. Critics of Prince Harry are predictably already on the attack, accusing him of aiming to profit from any sort of arrangement. However, this case is highly doubtable.
The Invictus Games is not just a globally recognisable charity brand, but a heavily respected one. This is the same event that famously saw Barack and Michelle Obama (then President and First Lady of the United States) issue a humorous challenge to Prince Harry in a 2016 promotional video. That same clip saw an iconic appearance of Her Late Majesty, The Queen and was publicly shared to The Royal Family’s official YouTube page. Queen Elizabeth II gave the event an all-resounding endorsement, ironically by giving off a dismissive quip when reacting to the video of then-POTUS and FLOTUS. Her words, “oh really, please!” whilst looking at a branded brochure added that signature touch of humour she always brought to proceedings. With a cheeky smirk, Prince Harry turned to the camera with a mic drop after his grandmother became completely engrossed by the branded brochure. Such support would not have come lightly and it’s clear that the Institution was willing to put its weight behind the event at the time.
Let’s not forget just how close this cause is to Prince Harry’s heart, having himself served in Afghanistan twice. He himself saw first-hand the impact for the need to inspire veterans around the world. This was the cause in which The Prince ultimately found his voice and purpose and there are clear parallels. When Catherine first came into The Royal Family, Prince Harry was seen almost as a lovable third wheel, accompanying the loved-up pair on their engagements and joining forces with their foundation. After his operational tours, he seemed to almost feel the need to find a purpose himself. It was the Invictus Games which gave him this purpose, to put his life mission on track. It was launching and planning this event which saw him take leaps and bounds whilst still supporting The Royal Family in duty and service.
Invictus was a cause that was launched by Harry when he was still very much a working member of the firm and it was something that was endorsed by the very top echelons of the institution. Now, the opportunity arises once again. The King is not only the UK’s head of state, and he’s also the commander-in-chief of the armed forces. According to statistics released by the government, there are at least 2.03 million armed forces veterans in the UK alone, representing almost 4% of the population. An event like Invictus is ultimately meant to bring nations together by emphasising and celebrating the shared commonality of service. A public appearance and by The King would not just represent a personal reconciliation with his son, it would represent a public endorsement of a cause that is worthy and close to what the Royal Family is meant to represent as an institution. For those in the UK, these are veterans who gave their lives to serve their King and Country. For other countries represented, these are people who gave their lives for the protection of the free world.
As he continues to receive minimal treatment for his cancer, The King may be thinking about his legacy. When he was anointed at the Coronation in 2023, multiple religious and faith leaders were present to witness the ceremony in Westminster Abbey. The King has always sought not just to be ‘Defender of The Faith’ for the Church of England, but a defender of all faiths and a great unifying force within the country and around the world - the Commonwealth especially. His joint address in Congress during his State Visit reminded those in the US about the close ties and shared values of our countries. Invictus serves as another reminder that he can be seen once again as a unifying figure. He would not just show a public reconciliation with his son at an event that has had the firm's longstanding support, but it's a cause which aims to bring those with shared values and a shared goal together - something that would only further his aims as King.
