Prince Harry should consider stepping down from his role with the Invictus Games, according to royal experts who suggest his team is employing "public pressure" tactics to secure King Charles's attendance at the 2027 Games. The controversy surrounding the invitation, which reportedly appeared in the press before being handled privately, has prompted criticism.
Richard Eden, a diary editor, argued on the "Palace Confidential" program that the ongoing controversy surrounding an event still eleven months away is sufficient reason for Harry to distance himself from the Invictus Games. Eden suggested the invitation itself may have been strategically leaked by Harry's public relations team to pressure the King into attending. He pointed to past instances where advisors to the Duke and Duchess of Sussex have reportedly provided favorable stories to the press.
"Pressure is always put on the King and Queen," Eden stated, referencing the speculation surrounding Prince Harry and Meghan's previous visit to Britain. "It all seems like public pressure and it's really not the way the royal family has traditionally operated."
Veteran royal correspondent Richard Kay echoed the sentiment, finding it "unusual" for an engagement to surface so far in advance, given that royal diaries are typically planned six months ahead. Kay suggested that Harry might be attempting to bypass royal aides who manage his father's schedule, whom the Duke reportedly views as unsympathetic.
"It does feel like Harry is trying to bounce his father into something ahead of time," Kay commented. He acknowledged that the King would likely want to support the armed forces, a cause the royal family is closely identified with, and that the Invictus Games are a significant achievement for Harry. However, Kay added, "if it is being used just to promote himself, that would grate a bit."
Prince Harry founded the Invictus Games in 2014 while he was a working royal. The event, which he initially shared through The Royal Foundation with Prince William and Catherine, is delivered in partnership with the Ministry of Defence. The next Invictus Games are scheduled to take place in Birmingham from July 10-17, 2027, marking the event's return to Britain since its inaugural games in London.