Three months after his last visit to the U.K.—during which time he briefly saw his father, King Charles, following Charles’ diagnosis with cancer in early February—Prince Harry is reportedly heading back to his home country in May for the 10-year anniversary celebration of the Invictus Games, the organization he founded in 2014 as a multi-sport event for wounded, injured, and sick servicemen and servicewomen, both veterans and those actively serving.
While in the U.K., The Mirror cites royal author Tom Quinn as saying that Harry will have another “short and formal” meeting with his father while there. During their February meetup, the two spent about 30 minutes together at Clarence House, Charles and Queen Camilla’s home in London. “Charles always keeps a tight schedule and had a planned itinerary to leave London to rest and recuperate in Norfolk,” a source told The Sun in February, referring to Sandringham, the royal family’s property there. “He is very fastidious about timekeeping, but it was significant that he delayed the flight to Sandringham when he knew Harry was visiting.”
The short visit was kept so brief, The Times of London reports, because the King was tired from his outpatient cancer treatment that took place on Monday, February 5, the day before Harry’s visit on Tuesday.
“I’m sure Harry would have loved to have spent much more time with him, but he’s quite respectful of his dad going through this treatment,” The Sunday Times’ royal editor Roya Nikkhah told Good Morning Britain.
As for the Invictus Games event, “the dates and details are being kept very hush-hush,” The Mirror reports, but the tenth anniversary service is reportedly set for May 8 at St. Paul’s Cathedral in London, which is, interestingly, where Harry’s parents, then Prince Charles and Princess Diana, were married on July 29, 1981. It’s unclear at the moment as to whether Meghan Markle will join her husband for the occasion, but Harry “is certain to attend,” the outlet reports.
“Both Harry and Meghan are listed as guests and a speech has been scheduled, but there is still a question mark over whether Meghan will make an appearance,” a source said. “Her name has been penciled in as a TBC [to be confirmed].”
The Mirror also reports that “Harry is currently in negotiations with the British government to get them to host the Games in Birmingham in 2027.” This follows Harry’s vow to visit family in the U.K. frequently, which he made following Charles’ diagnosis in February.
“Harry and Meghan are also reportedly hoping to boost their public image in the U.K., and there is speculation the couple will use the grand event in central London to try and ‘repair relations’ with the public and with the royal family,” The Mirror writes of the Invictus Games celebration.
