In July 2027, the Invictus Games will be held in Birmingham, England’s Midlands region, presenting King Charles III with a potentially difficult decision regarding his attendance. The games, which will run for two weeks, offer the monarch multiple opportunities to show support for wounded veterans—a cause that transcends the ongoing rift between him and his younger son, Prince Harry.
Royal experts believe that King Charles’s presence at the event is not only expected but necessary to demonstrate support for the Invictus Games’ mission. His absence might be conspicuous, as it was in May when he chose not to attend a service of thanksgiving in honor of Invictus at St Paul’s Cathedral in central London.
Afua Hagan, a well-known U.K. royal commentator, spoke to Newsweek about the implications of King Charles’s attendance at the games. She stated, “Charles should 100 percent go because it’s not about Prince Harry and the falling out or anything else. It’s just about wounded veterans. When we’re discussing Invictus, it often gets lost, but it’s about those veterans. It’s about the power of sport.”
Hagan also highlighted the sacrifices made by veterans, emphasizing the need for greater recognition and support: “When we look at how wounded veterans are regarded and treated, I honestly think we should do much, much better by them. I mean, some of them have literally given their health to their country. Some of them have given the best of themselves to their country. They must be much better regarded.”
While the Invictus Games offer a significant opportunity for Birmingham to showcase its hospitality, there are concerns about whether the city can afford to host the event. Birmingham, Britain’s second-largest city, declared itself effectively bankrupt in part due to the financial strain of hosting the Commonwealth Games in the summer of 2022.
“If Birmingham can afford it, then I think it’s great,” Hagan said. “But look what happened to Birmingham when they hosted the Commonwealth Games. It literally went bankrupt, and that is my concern. I think the Invictus Games is a brilliant thing, and it’s going to be amazing to see it in Birmingham. I think it’s great that Harry’s bringing it home. But my only point is budget.”
Last week, Birmingham was announced as the future host city for the Invictus Games, beating Washington, D.C., in a competitive bid. This decision carries weight as Prince Harry, who resides in the United States, passed up the opportunity to bring the tournament to his new home country. Instead, he chose to return the event to the U.K., despite his and Meghan Markle’s challenging public perception, with YouGov polling in August 2023 showing net favorability ratings of -36 for Harry and -47 for Meghan in Britain.
One of the challenges posed by the Invictus Games is the potential overshadowing of other royal events. The Sussexes have faced criticism in the past for their events “upstaging” or “overshadowing” traditional royal engagements. With two weeks of intense media coverage focused on Harry and Meghan, the royal family may find themselves grappling with how to maintain their visibility.
However, Harry could mitigate this issue by scheduling the games toward the end of July. By this time, the royal family’s public engagements would likely be winding down as King Charles prepares for his traditional August retreat at Balmoral in Scotland.
The 2027 Invictus Games will not only be a test of Birmingham’s capabilities as a host city but also a significant moment for the royal family. King Charles’s decision on whether to attend the event will be closely watched and could serve as a gesture of reconciliation or further highlight the ongoing tensions between the monarch and Prince Harry. Regardless of personal dynamics, the importance of supporting the Invictus Games’ mission to honor and uplift wounded veterans remains paramount.
