Prince Harry is looking forward to a potential reunion with the King at the upcoming Invictus Games next year in Birmingham. If the King agrees to attend the event, it could mark a significant moment as the two have not been seen together publicly for several years, indicating a positive shift in their relationship.
Organizers of the Invictus Games are planning to extend an invitation to the King to participate in either the opening or closing ceremony and to engage with athletes at various sporting events. Prince Harry hopes to have the King by his side at significant moments during the Games or at one of the ceremonies.
The last public appearance of the King and Harry together was at Queen Elizabeth II’s funeral in September 2022, with a previous sighting during the Queen’s platinum jubilee celebrations in the summer of the same year. Although Harry attended the King’s coronation in May 2023, he did not participate in any public activities, only staying in the UK for a brief 24-hour visit from California.
During a family gathering at the King’s Highgrove estate in Gloucestershire, Harry, along with the Queen, met, concluding a challenging week for the duke. Despite initial accommodation issues and legal setbacks, Harry managed to reunite with his family in the UK, including a meeting with the King.
Harry is hopeful for more opportunities to spend time with the King and his grandchildren, whom he has had limited contact with since stepping back from royal duties in 2020. His aim is to garner support from the King for security arrangements for his family during future visits.
Scheduled to return to London for the WellChild Awards in September, Harry is expected to accept an offer from the King to stay at Buckingham Palace, marking a positive turn of events from his previous visit. As he continues his efforts for taxpayer-funded security, Harry is optimistic about future visits with his family.
Sources close to the duke suggest that having the King at next year’s Invictus Games holds personal significance for Harry. He is dedicated to making the Birmingham Games a success and values having his father’s presence. The King is also eager to reconnect with his grandchildren, according to royal sources.
Following recent legal proceedings against Associated Newspapers, Harry has resumed planning for the upcoming Games. Originating in London in 2014, the Invictus Games aims to challenge perceptions of disability and showcase the resilience of wounded service personnel. The event will be held in Daejeon, South Korea, in 2029, marking its first appearance in Asia.
Buckingham Palace declined to comment on the matter.