Prince Harry is reportedly planning to invite King Charles to officially open the Invictus Games in the UK next year, a gesture aimed at mending the strained ties within the royal family.
King Charles and Prince Harry have only met briefly on two occasions over recent years. Additionally, it is believed that the King has not spent time with his grandchildren, Archie, now six, and Lilibet, four, since the Platinum Jubilee celebrations for the late Queen in June 2022.
This potential invitation could signify a significant gesture of reconciliation, possibly bringing the father and son together on stage during the Games’ opening in Birmingham in July 2027. This event marks the first time the Games will be held in the UK in 13 years.
Established by Prince Harry in 2014, the Invictus Games celebrate the achievements of wounded, sick, and injured military personnel through sports.
According to sources cited by The Sun, both King Charles and the Duke of Sussex are eager to repair their relationship, and doing so at next summer’s event would be especially fitting considering Charles’s role as Head of the Armed Forces.
While King Charles would naturally be expected to attend the event as Head of State, an invitation to participate in the opening ceremony would be a meaningful step towards healing their relationship.
The cause is said to be close to both their hearts and, according to the source, the Game’s organisers are ‘convinced’ the joint appearance will happen.
In a previous attempt to ease tensions, Prince Harry promised his father that he could be trusted to stay quiet about their private discussions before they met for the first time in more than 18 months in September.
Prince Harry is set to invite his father King Charles to open his Invictus Games in the UK next year (pictured: the pair with Meghan Markle, left, in 2018)
The Duke of Sussex pictured with the then Prince Charles and Prince William in 2005. A royal source previously said Harry is determined to ‘reset’ his relationship with his family
The Duke of Sussex spent 54 minutes having a cup of tea with King Charles at Clarence House in London as part of ‘rebuilding their father-and-son relationship’.
On that occasion, the Duke of Sussex said of the Monarch, ‘Yes, he’s great, thank you,’ when asked about the face-to-face meeting during a reception for the Invictus Games.
When they met in February 2024 after the monarch was diagnosed with cancer, Harry’s audience was limited to just over 15 minutes.
A royal source previously said that Harry is determined to ‘reset’ his relationship with his family and the British people after years of turmoil – starting first with his father.
‘This is an important first step towards rebuilding their father-and-son relationship’, a royal insider told the Daily Mail in September.
‘He has told his father he won’t be giving any interviews about it and his team have been instructed not to brief journalists about what was said.
‘There’s a long way to go before Harry can earn his family’s trust but he’s given some assurances.’
Prince Harry’s representatives declined to comment.
The Daily Mail has approached Buckingham Palace and the Invictus Games organisers for comment.
After telling all and launching vicious attacks on his family in his memoir Spare and in various TV interviews, it is understood that Harry told King Charles that he would not be sharing any more details with the public.
Prince Harry, pictured at a Diana Award event in September 2025, met his father for the first time in 19 months as they rebuild their relationship
King Charles arrives at Clarence House, in London, ahead of a meeting with his son Harry, September 2025
It was reported last week that Prince Harry desperately wants the King to come to his and Meghan Markle’s Montecito mansion in 2026 to see his grandchildren.
Harry’s longstanding dispute over the removal of his taxpayer-funded armed police protection when in the UK stopped him from travelling with his children.
And with the King’s suffering ill-health as he battled with cancer, a trip in the reverse direction was not on the cards.
However, last month the monarch revealed in an unprecedented video message that his cancer treatment would be significantly scaled back in the New Year.
His Majesty previously shared that he had been diagnosed with the disease in February 2024 after being admitted to hospital for an enlarged prostate.
But since his diagnosis 22 months ago, he has had a major boost in his battle with cancer, describing it as a ‘personal blessing’ – and enhancing the possibility of a reunion with Harry.
Additionally, it now appears that the Prince has won his fight for his round-the-clock security detail to be restored, according to sources close to the Sussexes.
Prince Harry was furious when the Royal and VIP Executive Committee (RAVEC) removed his 24-hour armed protection in 2020 after he stepped down as a working royal.
Prince Harry arrives at Clarence House, London, after his father King Charles in September 2025
The Duke of Sussex is seen leaving the royal residence around 55 minutes later, September 2025
At present, Harry is required to inform the Met Police 30 days prior to arriving in the UK, with each visit reviewed on a case-by-case basis.
However, in September the Mail on Sunday reported that the Metropolitan Police voluntarily provided personal security to Prince Harry for his visit to London that month.
Sources close to the Sussexes told The Mail on Sunday that the reinstatement of armed security has been assured after a fresh risk assessment was carried out for Ravec.
They said: ‘It’s now a formality. Sources at the Home Office have indicated that security is now nailed on for Harry.’
A ruling in the Duke’s favour, expected to be announced within weeks, may also make it feasible for Harry to bring his grandchildren to the UK.
The King and his youngest son last met in September 2025 after 19 months with no face-to-face interactions.
A source said: ‘Harry has made it clear that he would love his dad to come and visit him and the family.
‘He knows that they are strained, but he has mentioned several times a hope that his father can have a relationship with his grandchildren.’
