King Charles III reportedly delivered a clear message of rejection to his son, Prince Harry, by orchestrating a royal garden party at Buckingham Palace that directly clashed with the Duke of Sussex’s Invictus Games anniversary service in London. This move is seen by many as a deliberate snub, highlighting the ongoing rift within the royal family.
According to veteran royal reporter Tom Sykes of the Daily Beast, King Charles mandated the presence of all working royals – including Princess Anne and Prince Edward, though notably excluding Prince William and Kate Middleton – at a garden party hosting 5,000 guests at Buckingham Palace. This grand event was scheduled to occur precisely when Prince Harry was holding a service at St. Paul’s Cathedral to mark the 10th anniversary of the Invictus Games, an event for wounded, injured, and sick servicemen and women that is deeply personal to Harry.
Prince Harry arriving at St Paul's Cathedral for the Invictus Games 10th anniversary service.
The timing of King Charles’s lavish garden party, held on the great lawn of Buckingham Palace, raised eyebrows as it directly coincided with Harry’s service taking place just a few miles away. Earlier that same day, Prince William had also hosted a significant event at Windsor Castle, further filling the royal schedule and seemingly leaving no room for any royal attendance at the Invictus Games service.
King Charles III and Queen Camilla hosting a garden party at Buckingham Palace.
Despite extending an invitation to his brother William and sister-in-law Kate Middleton, who is currently undergoing cancer treatment, Prince Harry attended the Invictus Games service solo, with no royal family members present to show support. The most prominent figure participating in the ceremony was actor Damian Lewis, who delivered a moving recitation of William Ernest Henley’s poem “Invictus,” the inspiration behind Prince Harry’s initiative.
Meghan Markle, Duchess of Sussex, was also absent from the London event, remaining at their home in California. A former courtier, speaking to The Daily Beast, suggested that King Charles is willing to engage with Harry on a personal level, “as his dad,” but is unwilling to lend the official backing of the monarchy to the Invictus Games.
This stance, while perhaps perceived as logical within royal circles, is viewed by some as a misstep. The source questioned why the royal family would seemingly “boycott this terrific charity that is headed by the king’s son,” especially given the public perception of royals engaging in charitable work. The absence is seen by many as a missed opportunity for reconciliation and a “classic example” of self-inflicted damage to their public image.
King Charles III meeting guests at the Buckingham Palace garden party amidst Prince Harry's Invictus Games service.
Another military source echoed this sentiment, expressing disappointment that King Charles has distanced himself from the Invictus Games. They emphasized that the Invictus Games was originally established as an organization with royal endorsement and that withdrawing this support is “not fair to deny the foundation proper royal endorsement.” The source further lamented the lost potential of the Invictus Games to serve as a “bridgehead” in mending the fractured relationship between Prince Harry and the royal family.
Prince Harry giving evidence, highlighting his dedication to service amidst family tensions.
The scheduling conflict and lack of royal attendance at the Invictus Games service further underscore the ongoing estrangement between Prince Harry and his father, King Charles. Their failure to meet during Harry’s recent visit to London, attributed to the King’s busy schedule, reinforces the narrative of a royal family divided and a missed opportunity for healing.
Prince Harry and King Charles during a past public event, showcasing their once closer relationship.
Since stepping down from royal duties in 2020 and relocating to California with Meghan Markle, Prince Harry has continued his commitment to supporting wounded veterans through the Invictus Games. Despite his dedication, the recent events suggest that bridging the gap with the royal family remains a significant challenge.
Prince Harry and Meghan Markle holding hands, symbolizing their life outside royal duties.
The palace has not officially commented on the scheduling of the garden party or the absence of royals at the Invictus Games service, leaving the perceived snub to speak for itself and fueling further speculation about the state of the royal family’s internal dynamics.
