By Molly Claire Goddard
9:47am PST, Jan 20, 2026
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According to royal expert
Richard Fitzwilliams,
Prince Harry's reported olive branch to King Charles III to open the 2027 Invictus Games is self-serving. "The use of Invictus to reconcile publicly with the King, opening the game is playing a blinder and appears intended to unite," he told
Daily Express. "However, the Sussexes [Harry and
Meghan Markle]'s business failures since they stepped down as senior working royals make this an invaluable opportunity for them to boost their brand."
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Following
Prince Harry and Meghan Markle's dramatic exit from The Firm in 2020, support drastically waned. "Harry and Meghan are extremely unpopular in Britain with the public," Richard Fitzwilliams said. "King Charles III may well open the games, but Harry's unifying gesture may — because he and Meghan are not trusted — do more to divide than unite, at least with the public, press and probably with some senior royals as well."
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Despite their years-long estrangement, a source claimed
Prince Harry will ask King Charles III to attend the event. "
Prince Harry desperately wants Charles at the Invictus Games — and he wants him to open the games alongside him," the insider told
The Sun. "Harry wants it to happen both for the games and for their relationship. It's his dream to have his father by his side."
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"They [
Prince Harry and King Charles III] appear to want a reconciliation, and the games are a perfect opportunity for them to work alongside each other," the source told the publication. "The sight of them on stage when it opens would be heartwarming and in the spirit of the occasion. People helping to plan the games are convinced it will happen and are planning for Charles to play a role in the opening ceremony."
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The Invictus Games — which celebrate wounded, injured and sick military personnel and veterans — will take place in Birmingham in July 2027. "It is appropriate because Invictus is returning to the U.K. for the first time since 2014, and given King Charles III is Head of the Armed Forces," the source said. "Invictus always invites Heads of State, but
Prince Harry wants to go further with Charles involved in the opening ceremony. The games represent a cause close to both [of their] hearts."
