PRINCE Harry will ask dad King Charles to open his Invictus Games when it returns to the UK next year — in a major thawing of relations.
The pair have had two brief meetings in recent years but the olive branch could see them both on stage in Birmingham, where Harry will “fulfil a dream” with the King at his side for the opening ceremony.
Sources say Charles and his youngest son appear keen to end their lengthy feud.
And next year’s UK return of Harry’s games for wounded personnel and veterans would be the perfect time to seal their reconciliation.
Organisers have contacted officials in competing nations and preparations for Birmingham 2027 are said to be in full swing.
A source said last night: “Prince Harry desperately wants Charles at Invictus — and he wants him to open the games alongside him.
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“Harry wants it to happen both for the games, and for their relationship. It’s his dream to have his father by his side.
They appear to want a reconciliation and the games are a perfect opportunity for them to work alongside each other.
Source
“It is appropriate because Invictus is returning to the UK for the first time since 2014, and given Charles is Head of the Armed Forces.
“Invictus always invites Heads of State but Harry wants to go further with Charles involved in the opening ceremony.
“The games represent a cause close to both’s hearts.
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“They appear to want a reconciliation and the games are a perfect opportunity for them to work alongside each other.
“The sight of them on stage when it opens would be heart-warming and in the spirit of the occasion.
“People helping to plan the games are convinced it will happen and are planning for Charles to play a role in the opening ceremony.”
Duke of Sussex Harry quit royal life six years ago and his book Spare, published three years ago, enraged Charles because of harsh criticism of the Royal Family.
The pair have had only two brief meetings in recent years.
Once a captain in the Blues and Royals, Harry called double amputee Ben McBean and other soldiers the “real heroes” after sharing a flight home in 2008 from the first of his two tours to Afghanistan.
The Warrior Games in the US in 2013 inspired him to set up his Invictus Games in 2014.
The inaugural event — with sports including wheelchair basketball, archery, athletics and sitting volleyball — took place at the Copper Box Arena in East London.
‘It would be fitting’
Charles, Camilla, William and Kate attended to support around 300 competitors from 13 countries.
The games have since expanded and taken place in the US, Canada, Australia, Netherlands and Germany.
They return to the UK with a glittering opening at Birmingham’s NEC on July 10 next year, and will run until July 17 — the day Queen Camilla turns 80.
Our source added: “The games are planned way in advance, and there have been meetings and conference calls about the 2027 Invictus pretty much since the last ones in Vancouver finished.
“Planning committees are aware of Camilla’s birthday and hope Charles will be able to do the opening and attend events while still honouring commitments to his wife.
“And Harry is across every detail of what is going on with Invictus.
“He is buoyed with the thought of opening the games with his father, and there are hopes that other royals will attend. It would be fitting as they are in Birmingham.”
The Vancouver games in February 2025 involved 534 competitors from 23 nations.
That opening ceremony saw Harry go on stage to welcome participants, plus musical performances from Katy Perry, Nelly Furtado and Coldplay’s Chris Martin.
Harry said then: “Today, and for the next week, warriors unite.
“In this moment of difficulty and division, we gather here in Vancouver in the spirit of unity.
“We represent 23 nations. At the Invictus Games, we gather in mutual respect, competing fiercely but believing in one another.”
Organisers of the Invictus Games Birmingham 2027 will issue invitations to members of the Royal Family in due course
Spokesman for Invictus
Harry, now based in Montecito, California with wife Meghan, 44, and children Archie, six, and Lilibet, four, last saw the King in September when they had a 53-minute chat at Clarence House.
We revealed that Harry had joked afterwards he was shocked by how formal the meeting was.
Harry was whisked into the London mansion in a Land Rover to see his dad — and went straight from the meeting to an Invictus Games reception.
After his UK visit, Harry’s spokesman said the Prince had “loved” being back in the country.
Their previous get-together was in February 2024 when Harry flew to London after the announcement of Charles’s cancer diagnosis.
That meeting, also at Clarence House, was understood to have lasted 35 minutes.
Last week we told how Harry was desperate for the King to be reunited with his grandchildren.
Charles last met Archie and Lilibet when they visited the UK for Queen Elizabeth II’s Platinum Jubilee in June 2022.
Last night spokespeople for Buckingham Palace and for Prince Harry declined to comment.
A spokesman for Invictus said: “The Royal Family have been longstanding supporters of the Invictus Games since its inception in 2014, with The Duke of Sussex as the Founding Patron of the Invictus Games Foundation.
‘Welcome their presence’
“While it is too early to confirm who will attend in 2027 as invitations have not yet been sent out, organisers of the Invictus Games Birmingham 2027 will issue invitations to members of the Royal Family in due course, and we would very much welcome their presence.”
Meanwhile, Harry is waiting for a review of the decision to remove his security during UK visits.
He has insisted it is not safe to bring his family back to the country of his birth because he cannot guarantee their safety.
The Home Office review is considering whether he should get automatic police protection.
