By Molly Claire Goddard
10:30am PST, Jan 19, 2026
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Six years after leaving the royal family,
Prince Harry is set to offer King Charles III an olive branch. "
Prince Harry desperately wants Charles at the Invictus Games — and he wants him to open the games alongside him," a source told
The Sun about the July 2027 event. "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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The Invictus Games celebrate wounded, injured, and sick military personnel and veterans. "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."
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With
Prince Harry regaining his security in England, the path is clear for him and King Charles III to mend fences. "They appear to want a reconciliation, and the games are a perfect opportunity for them to work alongside each other," the source said. "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 only issue possibly affecting King Charles III's attendance at the July 10 ceremony is Queen Camilla's birthday on July 17. "The games are planned way in advance and there have been meetings and conference calls about the 2027 Invictus pretty much since the last ones in Vancouver finished," the source said. "Planning committees are aware of Camilla's birthday and hope Charles will be able to do the opening and attend events while still honoring commitments to his wife."
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Despite his feud with the royal family,
Prince Harry could invite his U.K. relatives. "Harry is across every detail of what is going on with Invictus," the source said. "He is buoyed with the thought of opening the games with his father [King Charles III] and there are hopes that other royals will attend. It would be fitting as they are in Birmingham."
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A spokesperson for the Invictus Games clarified that the guest list is not finalized. "The royal family have been longstanding supporters of the Invictus Games since its inception in 2014, with [
Prince Harry], the Duke of Sussex, as the Founding Patron of the Invictus Games Foundation," they said in a statement via
The Sun. "While it is too early to confirm who will attend in 2027 as invitations have not yet been sent out, organizers of the Invictus Games Birmingham 2027 will issue invitations to members of the royal family in due course and we would very much welcome their presence."
