The Duke of Sussex is reportedly hoping to extend an 'olive branch' to his father King Charles
King Charles faces a difficult dilemma as his estranged son Prince Harry is expected to bring his Invictus Games to the UK in 2027.
Speaking on The Sun’s Royal Exclusive on June 25, former Buckingham Palace press officer Dickie Arbiter said that the 77-year-old monarch has many “excuses” to skip the Invictus Games Birmingham in 2027 should he receive an invite.
“There is precedent,” Arbiter said, adding, “Camilla’s birthday also falls during Invictus. So yes, they have excuses.”
However, the royal expert noted that “it would be a bad fit if there was no representation from the King, because he is Commander in Chief.”
Arbiter explained that the situation is “a very difficult and sensitive one because it’s not just about the relationship of the King with his younger son. It’s also his relationship with servicemen — the veterans.”
The comments come amid reports from The Mail on Sunday that the Duke of Sussex is hoping to extend an “olive branch” by inviting his father and brother, Prince William, to the next games.
But Arbiter believes reconciliation is unlikely unless Harry offers a genuine apology.
“He's got a lot of ground to make up — and the ground is with a capital A: Apology,” Arbiter said.