London, England – Prince Harry’s visit to the UK to mark the 10th anniversary of the Invictus Games has taken an unexpected turn as he will not be seeing his father, King Charles, during his trip. The Duke of Sussex’s spokesperson cited the King’s busy schedule as the reason for this missed meeting, stating that Prince Harry hopes to see him soon. Similarly, Prince William will also not be present at an upcoming Invictus event, with both senior royals occupied with other commitments.
Prince Harry’s visit comes at a poignant time as King Charles is undergoing cancer treatment, and Prince William recently visited him in February following his diagnosis. Despite the family circumstances, Prince Harry remains understanding of his father’s situation and expresses his desire to reconnect soon. The Duke is in the UK to participate in celebrations for the Invictus Games, an event that honors wounded and injured service personnel, both current and former.
Amidst the commemorative events, which include a service at St Paul’s Cathedral where Prince Harry will be involved, notable absences from the royal family are evident. King Charles, Prince William, and Catherine, the Princess of Wales, who is also receiving treatment for cancer, will not be present at the service. Following his time in London, Prince Harry is set to visit Nigeria with his wife, Meghan, the Duchess of Sussex, after an invitation from Nigeria’s chief of defense staff.
Looking ahead, potential venues for the 2027 Invictus Games are under consideration, with Birmingham in the UK and Washington DC in the US shortlisted. In the midst of these celebrations, King Charles has begun a gradual return to public engagements after his cancer diagnosis, though the extent of his participation in upcoming royal events remains uncertain. The King’s medical team has allowed him to resume public appearances as he continues his treatment, highlighting the delicate balance between personal health and public duties for the royal family.