Royal expert says King’s absence could damage ties with veterans unless Harry apologises
King Charles may choose to decline an invitation to the 2027 Invictus Games in Birmingham, with Queen Camilla’s birthday reportedly among the reasons under consideration.
Former royal press officer Dickie Arbiter told The Sun’s Royal Exclusive that the monarch has several “excuses” at hand to avoid the event, should he be invited by his estranged son, the Duke of Sussex. “There is precedent,” Arbiter explained. “Camilla’s birthday also falls during Invictus. So yes, they have excuses.”
Still, Arbiter warned that the King’s nonattendance could send the wrong message, particularly in his role as Commander in Chief. “It would be a bad fit if there was no representation from the King,” he said, noting that the issue extends beyond family tensions and into the King’s duty to veterans.
The remarks follow reports that the Duke of Sussex hopes to offer an “olive branch” by inviting both his father and the Prince of Wales to the Games.
Yet Arbiter remains doubtful of any reconciliation without a direct and heartfelt apology from Harry. “He’s got a lot of ground to make up — and the ground is with a capital A: Apology,” he added.
