Prince Harry is planning to reach out to his family by inviting them to the 2027 Invictus Games, in what is seen as a significant step towards reconciliation after years of tension.
The Duke of Sussex is said to be seeking to mend relations with his father and brother following the fallout from his 2023 memoir Spare, with formal invitations expected to be sent later this month.
According to The Mail on Sunday, Harry hopes that by giving the Royals advanced notice — senior royals’ schedules are often planned up to three years ahead — they will be able to attend.
A source told the paper: “Harry has agreed that Invictus should extend an invitation to his family. Invictus hopes the Royal Family will come along to support the wounded veterans taking part. Harry is hopeful his father will set aside their differences to attend the Invictus Games and support veterans.
“The Royals have always been hugely supportive of Invictus and proud of what Harry has achieved in that arena. This is one olive branch from him which might be reciprocated.”
If accepted, it would mark the first time Prince Harry has been pictured with the Royal Family since the funeral of Queen Elizabeth II.
Commentators are split on whether the King or Prince William would attend. Royal expert Katie Nicholl said: “The King absolutely wants a relationship with his youngest son and with his grandchildren. He has an incredible capacity for forgiveness and he wants to be magnanimous in all of this and therefore there's certainly a possibility that the King might consider attending Invictus.”
Ingrid Seward added: “The King might attend to show support for the Armed Forces and congratulate Harry on the most significant success in his life. The only reason the King is wary of associating with his son is that he no longer trusts him not to repeat their private conversations as he has done in the past. This goes for all the working members of the family.”
The 2027 Invictus Games are scheduled to take place at Birmingham’s NEC from 12 to 17 July — overlapping with Queen Camilla’s 80th birthday celebrations. Despite the potential clash, the Royal Family has historically supported the event, which Harry founded in 2014 for wounded, injured, and sick servicemen and women.
It remains unclear whether Harry’s wife Meghan and their children, Archie, six, and Lilibet, four, would travel to the UK. The prince has previously suggested a family visit would be difficult after losing a legal battle in May over his right to police protection while in Britain.
Last month, Harry admitted his relationship with King Charles had collapsed due to the long-running security dispute, telling the BBC: “He won’t speak to me because of this security stuff... I don’t know how much longer my father has.”
Reflecting on wider tensions within the family, he added: “Of course, some members of my family will never forgive me for writing a book... for lots of things. But you know, I would love reconciliation with my family. I’ve always... there’s no point in continuing to fight anymore. Life is precious.”
