King Charles has reportedly extended an invitation for Prince Harry to stay at Buckingham Palace during his upcoming visit to the U.K. in September, according to royal experts cited by Fox News Digital.
The invitation coincides with the annual WellChild Awards, an event Prince Harry attends each year. British broadcaster and photographer Helena Chard told Fox News Digital that the gesture is perceived as an olive branch from the King to gradually rebuild his relationship with Prince Harry. However, Chard noted that palace staff reportedly oppose the invitation, citing lingering resentment over Harry’s past public criticisms of the royal family.
Buckingham Palace and Archewell, the Sussexes’ office, have not publicly commented on the report. The invitation follows a rare reunion between King Charles and Prince Harry in July at Highgrove House, the King’s country estate. During that meeting, the King saw his grandchildren, Prince Archie and Princess Lilibet, for the first time since 2022. Queen Camilla was also present at the gathering.
Separate reporting from the Daily Mail indicates Prince Harry is seeking to involve King Charles in next year’s Invictus Games in Birmingham. The Duke of Sussex, who founded and serves as patron of the event, is believed to want his father to attend the opening or closing ceremony, as well as sporting spectacles. A source cited by the Daily Mail stated that Harry is determined to make the 2024 Games the best ever and that having the King present would mean “the world” to him.
The Invictus Games, a multi-sport event for wounded, injured, or sick armed services personnel, is scheduled to take place in Birmingham next summer. The event is seen as a potential step toward further reconciliation between the two men, following years of strained relations after Harry and his wife, Meghan, Duchess of Sussex, stepped back from royal duties in 2020.
Royal experts and sources differ on the motivations behind the reported invitation. Some suggest it reflects King Charles’ desire to reconnect with his grandchildren, while others question why the King would extend an olive branch given lingering tensions. The outcome of Prince Harry’s visit, including whether he accepts the invitation to stay at Buckingham Palace, remains uncertain.
The reported developments follow Prince Harry’s recent visit to the U.K., which was marked by both public appearances and private meetings. The Sussexes’ relationship with the royal family has been a subject of significant media attention since their departure from senior roles, including Harry’s public criticisms of the monarchy in interviews and his memoir.