For the last 10 years, Prince Harry has used his platform to support wounded veterans through his Invictus Games which he started back in 2014.
Now, on the 10 year anniversary of the games, Prince Harry is returning to where it all started, his home country England. And the Royal family has chosen not to take an interest in the event, even though he reportedly extended an invitation to his father and his brother.
In a statement released by the Prince’s team, Harry revealed that despite hoping to meet up with his father as he steps back into his public duties after battling an undisclosed form of cancer, King Charles proved too busy.
“In response to the many inquiries and continued speculation on whether or not The Duke will meet with his father while in the U.K. this week, it unfortunately will not be possible due to His Majesty’s full program. The Duke of course is understanding of his father’s diary of commitments and various other priorities and hopes to see him soon.”
Further, no members of Harry’s immediate family attended the Thanksgiving service where the prince performed a reading. According to People, the Service of Thanksgiving took place at St. Paul’s Cathedral where King Charles and Princess Diana got married in 1981.
Neither King Charles nor Prince William attended the event in support of Harry or the Invictus Games.
The last time Harry met with his father was in February 2024, when news was first made public of the King’s cancer diagnosis. Harry flew from California to London where he quickly met with his father in private.
While talking with Good Morning America after meeting with his father, Prince Harry revealed he learned about his father’s cancer diagnosis in a phone call with him. “I spoke to him. I jumped on a plane and went to go see him as soon as I could,” Harry revealed.
EXCLUSIVE: Prince Harry to @ReeveWill on visiting King Charles after cancer diagnosis: “I love my family. The fact that I was able to get on a plane and go see and spend anytime with him, I’m grateful for that.” https://t.co/yDp82WU7Bk pic.twitter.com/lO0cebeO9i
— Good Morning America (@GMA) February 16, 2024
“Look, I love my family,” he continued. “The fact that I was able to get on a plane and go and see him and spend any time with him, I’m grateful for that.”
However, when asked how his father was fairing as he began his cancer battle, Prince Harry said, “That stays between me and him.”
It remains unclear if Prince Harry has had a chance to reconnect with his sister-in-law Princess Catherine who is also battling cancer.