Prince Harry has arrived without his wife Meghan Markle at St Paul’s Cathedral in central London, to mark the tenth anniversary of the Invictus Games.
However, several big-hitting royals are not in attendance, including the King, Prince William, Princess Kate or any of the other senior royals, inlcuding Harry’s aunts and uncles. A spokesman for the duke said that the King would not be meeting with his son at any stage during Prince Harry’s UK visit, due to the monarch’s “full programme”.
Ten years ago, when the Games were launched, the then-Prince Charles, his wife Camilla, and Prince William were all in attendance.
However on this occasion none of the senior royals are celebrating with the Duke of Sussex. The only royals guests of note are Earl Spencer, Princess Diana’s brother, and Louis Spencer, Prince Harry’s cousin. Actor Damian Lewis will recite the Invictus poem.
Charles and Harry last met soon after the King announced his cancer diagnosis in February and his son, who now lives with his family in California, rushed from America to see his father.
A spokesperson for the duke said: “In response to the many inquiries and continued speculation on whether or not the duke will meet with his father while in the UK this week, it unfortunately will not be possible due to His Majesty’s full programme.
“The duke of course is understanding of his father’s diary of commitments and various other priorities and hopes to see him soon.”
Harry spent Tuesday in the capital attending a summit that reflected on the 10th anniversary of the Invictus Games which stages sporting events for wounded, sick or injured veterans or serving military to aid their recovery.
He told delegates at the event, held at the Honourable Artillery Company’s headquarters on the edge of the City of London: “Sometimes you… look back and go ‘Look at what we’ve done’.
“But also given the state of the world, there is so much more to do and I think a lot of uncertainty – but what we’ve created is a global community.”
According to ITV royal editor, Chris Ship, Meghan Markle is steering clear of Blighty due to her public pronouncements about members of the royal household.
The last time Harry and Meghan were seen at St Paul’s was for the Platinum Jubliee in 2022, where the pair were both cheered and booed by onlookers.
