'Prince Harry is putting the King in a difficult position - that's what he wants'

The Duke of Sussex is estranged from both King Charles and Prince William, but he recently said that he would like a reconciliation. Recently, it has been reported that the Invictus Games he set up in 2014 could be a key moment to reconcile.

The Mail on Sunday quoted a source on June 22 calling it an "olive branch" and saying that Harry "agreed" that his family should be invited. However, a leading royal commentator believes this would put King Charles in a "difficult position". Speaking to the Express, Richard Fitzwilliams said: "It has been reported that he will invite the King and senior royals to the forthcoming Invictus Games in Birmingham in July 2027. The then-Prince Charles, the Duchess of Cornwall and Prince William attended the opening ceremony in 2014, so the fact that Queen Camilla turns 80 on the day of its finale seems irrelevant. This invitation, which will apparently be sent shortly, will undoubtedly be seen as a gesture of reconciliation by the Sussexes."

Despite what could be seen as an "olive branch" by the Sussexes, the royal expert went on to claim: "This clearly places the King in an extremely difficult position, which is precisely what it is meant to do and probably why the venue was chosen."

Mr Fitzwilliams explained: "He is Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces and Invictus is a major military charity. Also, as head of state, he is a symbol of national unity. If he accepts, he would be putting duty above what obviously is a painful public rift between him and his family and the Sussexes. It will be argued that that is his job."

In May 2024, Harry attended a service at St Paul's Cathedral in London to mark the 10th anniversary of the Invictus Games, the sporting competition for injured service men and women he helped found.

Meanwhile, the King, whose cancer treatment is ongoing, met members of the public at a Buckingham Palace garden party a little over two miles away.

The duke had previously seen the King in person shortly after his February 2024 announcement that he was being treated for an unspecified form of cancer.

Speaking of the Invictus Games, and Harry's contribution, Mr Fitzwilliams said: "The Invictus Games is Prince Harry's most impressive charitable achievement. He founded it in March 2014 to help wounded, injured or unwell military personnel, both serving and veterans. It is a fine achievement and its first decade was commemorated with a ceremony at St Paul's Cathedral."

The UK successfully won the bid to host the Invictus Games Birmingham 2027. Competing against bids from six cities around the world, Birmingham won the bid through its strong commitment to the welfare and recovery of serving personnel and veterans.

The Invictus Games Birmingham 2027 will be held in July 2027, two years on from the Invictus Games Vancouver Whistler 2025.