Meghan Markle's attendance will depend on whether the Duke and Duchess of Sussex feel the security provision on offer is sufficient
Prince Harry is dreaming of a triumphant return to the UK that culminates with him standing shoulder to shoulder with his father, King Charles, at the Invictus Games in 2027.
The Duke of Sussex founded the sporting competition for wounded and recovering military personnel and veterans in 2014, when he was still a working member of the Royal Family.
Since leaving the monarchy in 2020, Harry has continued to champion the Invictus Games and taken the organisation global with events held in the Netherlands, Germany and Canada over the last four years.
The Games will return to the United Kingdom next year, the first time they have been held in the country of Harry’s birth since the inaugural competition in 2014.
Those close to the Duke of Sussex have openly admitted Prince Harry would relish King Charles attending the Invictus Games in Birmingham next July.
Last month, Prince Harry carried out several engagements in the UK as part of a pre-planned visit.
However, not everything lined up as the Duke of Sussex hoped.
After Harry’s team announced that he was staying at Buckingham Palace, having accepted an invitation from the King, the Palace issued a statement outlining that the duke had left his decision too late and would no longer be allowed to stay at the royal residence.
The Duke of Sussex also did not bring his wife, Meghan Markle, along to any of the public engagements he carried out due to ongoing security fears.
Prince Harry has so far been unable to secure a breakthrough in his case for security provision in the UK following a court case defeat against the Home Office.
However, in the end, Harry did get the meeting with King Charles he craved, and the monarch was reunited with his grandchildren, Archie and Lilibet, for the first time in four years.
Meghan Markle and Queen Camilla were also present at the reunion, but no details regarding what was discussed have been released.
The Duchess of Sussex was recently accused of revealing information about the meeting with King Charles at a party by Martha Stewart.
However, Meghan’s team disputed the claim, stating that Ms Stewart was “confused” and did not interact with the Duchess of Sussex at the event.
Prince Harry's next visit to the UK will likely be in September when he attends the WellChild Awards ceremony.
The Duke of Sussex travels to London annually for the engagement, but he is not expected to bring his wife or children.
After that, Prince Harry’s subsequent trip to the UK is expected to be for the Invictus Games 2027.
By then, the Duke of Sussex will hope his security situation in the UK has changed, as it is currently under active official evaluation, following a newly ordered government threat assessment.
Until the review dictates otherwise, Prince Harry must continue to give 30 days’ notice before travelling to the UK so his security needs can be vetted on an individual, case-by-case basis.
Meghan Markle has consistently joined her husband at the Invictus Games events across the world and will want to support Prince Harry in Birmingham.
Her attendance will depend on whether she and Harry feel the security provision on offer is sufficient.
On the other hand, King Charles’s attendance will hinge on the plans around Queen Camilla’s 80th birthday.
The Invictus Games will run from July 10 to July 17. The opening ceremony on July 10 is the most likely time King Charles will step out alongside his youngest son.
The closing ceremony of the Invictus Games on July 17th falls on Queen Camilla’s birthday, meaning there is little to no chance of any senior royals attending Harry’s event.
The calendar clash is not an ideal situation for the Duke of Sussex, King Charles or Queen Camilla; however, Harry will remain hopeful that the monarch will show public support for his organisation during its seven days in the West Midlands.
