On Wednesday, May 8th, King Charles assertively reminded Prince Harry of his position within the royal hierarchy.
Despite Prince Harry's attendance at a church service in England commemorating the 10th anniversary of his Invictus Games, the king orchestrated a mandatory garden party at Bingham Palace, strategically ensuring the absence of other royal family members from the service. This move underscored who held the reins of power, as reported.
All active royals, including Princess Anne and Prince Edward, received invitations to the grand Gathering on the Great Lawn, which accommodated 5,000 guests. Charles, while expressing readiness to offer personal support to Harry as his father, signaled reluctance to endorse Invictus again through the institution, as per insider sources.
While this dynamic might seem rational within palace circles, it risks puzzling those less concerned with royal intricacies. To outsiders, the reluctance to support a noble cause, particularly one led by the king's own son, appears shortsighted. The sentiment among many is that by sidelining Invictus, the royal family is cutting off a valuable avenue for reconciliation between Harry and the monarchy. "Invictus is the bridgehead," remarked a source, suggesting its potential for fostering familial reconnection.
Harry had hoped to reconcile with his father during his London visit, but his packed schedule reportedly rendered this impossible, leading to speculation about the king's intentions. Some interpreted this as a subtle message of unwelcome, akin to a "quietly elegant" megaphone declaration, as humorously phrased by Lowry Turner on GB News. The discussion veered into accusations of Harry manipulating the narrative to his advantage, with Emily Carver of GB News suggesting he was attempting to play the victim. Despite Harry's trip being ostensibly for the Invictus Games event, his decision not to bring his family and the subsequent demand to meet with his father fueled skepticism about his motives.
Royal expert Angela Lan opined that while attending the garden party might not have been feasible for Harry, he could have made a concerted effort to arrange a brief meeting with his father. However, Lan lamented Harry's perceived inflexibility and refusal to compromise, painting a somber picture of familial estrangement. Lan also speculated that Harry's desire to meet with the king was primarily to bolster his public image ahead of his trip to Nigeria with Meghan Markle, insinuating that he sought the appearance of royal endorsement for his endeavors.
