Prince Harry's brief return to the UK this week for a Service of Thanksgiving at St Paul's Cathedral, marking the 10th anniversary of the Invictus Games, was met with a notable absence of support from his father, King Charles, and brother, Prince William. Despite the Duke of Sussex personally extending invitations to the royal duo, they declined to attend the much-anticipated event in London on Wednesday.
In the latest episode of A Right Royal Podcast, hosted by Andrea Caamano, Emmy Griffiths, and HELLO!'s royal editor Emily Nash, guest Chris Ship, ITV News' royal editor, revealed that both King Charles and Prince William were given tickets for the service by Harry but still chose not to attend. "I understand that Harry did give his father and his brother a ticket for the event," Ship told the hosts.
The royal editor expressed his disappointment in the decision, stating, "I just think it's a big mistake for the royal family to not be involved." He added that the snub "clearly shows that there's a school of thought within both palaces, not just Buckingham Palace, but also Kensington Palace, where they just think Harry, over the past couple of years, has crossed the line to a point of no return."
The absence of King Charles and Prince William at the Invictus Games service stands in stark contrast to the inaugural opening ceremony in 2014, where Harry was supported by the then-Prince Charles, the Duchess of Cornwall, and his brother. The decision to decline the personal invitation has further highlighted the ongoing rift within the royal family.
A source close to the King, speaking to DailyMail, confessed that the monarch is still reeling from the barrage of explosive claims Harry and Meghan have made about the Royal Family over the last couple of years. "He doesn't need the drama in his life," the source said, adding, "Harry and Meghan have brought him, and the rest of the family, nothing but worries over the past few years."
Despite the lack of support from his father's side of the family, Prince Harry was surrounded by members of his late mother, Princess Diana's family. Charles Spencer, Diana's brother, her sister Lady Jane Fellowes, and nephews George McCorquodale, Louis Spencer, and Ned Spencer attended the service and were seen greeting Harry with hugs and kisses minutes before the service began.
The presence of Diana's family at the Invictus Games service serves as a reminder of the strong bond Harry shared with his mother and the support he continues to receive from her side of the family, even amidst the ongoing tensions with the royal family.
The decision by King Charles and Prince William to decline Prince Harry's personal invitation has once again underscored the deep divide within the royal family, which has been exacerbated by the Duke and Duchess of Sussex's departure from royal duties and their subsequent public criticism of the institution.
