The royal family are invited to Prince Harry's Invictus Games in 2027 for potential reconciliation. Photo / Getty Images
The royal family are invited to Prince Harry's Invictus Games in 2027 for potential reconciliation. Photo / Getty Images
The royal family would be “very much welcome” at Prince Harry’s Invictus Games in 2027, the event’s chief executive has said.
The Duke of Sussex is expected to invite his father and other family members to the games in the hope it will prove an opportunity for reconciliation.
It hasbeen claimed that he sent email invitations to Buckingham Palace last month, in order to give the King the maximum chance to include the event in his busy schedule.
It would mark the first time any member of the royal family has joined the Duke at the sporting fixture for sick and injured service personnel since the inaugural event in London in 2014.
Helen Helliwell, chief executive of the Invictus Games in Birmingham, said they would be most welcome.
Helen Helliwell, Invictus Games chief executive, said the family would be "very much welcome". Photo / Getty Images
Asked if she hoped the King, as head of the Armed Forces, would attend, she told People magazine the royal family were “supporters of the Armed Forces. They’ve been supporters of Invictus since inception in 2014”.
She added: “We’re two years away, and it’s too soon to confirm who’s going to be there. But obviously, we’d be delighted if members of the royal family were able to attend, and would very much welcome their presence in a couple of years’ time.”
Helliwell said she would also be delighted if the Duke and Duchess of Sussex were to attend, as expected.
“We will be delighted if they come over for the year out and for the games,” she added.
“We are so far out it’s impossible for one individual to confirm their plans, but we would be delighted if the Duke were able to come.”
She added: “I’ve seen the impact. His passion is unsurpassed. He really brings a magical sparkle dust to his interactions, and there is a really special relationship with him and the community. So, we will be super excited to host him in Birmingham as well.
Members of the royal family's attendance at the games would mark the first time any apart from Prince Harry have done so since the 2014 event in London. Photo / Getty Images
“He founded it and put on the first games in 2014. That was his vision, that’s been realised, and it’s just grown and grown and grown.
“So to have it back in the UK for this eighth iteration, I think, is really special. I think it’s going to be a really special moment for the whole country. But particularly, I think a real sense of pride for him in seeing just how far that movement has come.”
Buckingham Palace has declined to discuss the possibility of royal attendance at the July 2027 games, insisting diaries are not planned that far in advance.
However, the Telegraph understands such a potential reconciliation has been discussed at the most senior level, with palace aides aware the event could prove a timely opportunity to mend bridges.
It is not yet known whether the Duchess of Sussex or their children, Prince Archie and Princess Lilibet, who by then would be 8 and 6, would join the Duke in the UK.
During his recent legal battle with the Government over security, he said he did not feel able to bring his children back to this country and could not put his wife “in danger like that”.
But with the UK hosting the event, it is thought there may be a way to ensure any Sussexes who attend are incorporated under the wider police protection umbrella.
