The Duke of Sussex has reportedly invited his family to attend the next Invictus Games ceremony in Birmingham.

The Duke has reportedly issued an olive branch to his father (Image: Getty)

The Invictus Games is Prince Harry’s most impressive charitable achievement. He founded it in March 2014 to help wounded, injured or unwell military personnel, both serving and veterans. It is a fine achievement and its first decade was commemorated with a ceremony at St Paul’s Cathedral.

It has been reported that he will invite the King and senior royals to the forthcoming Invictus Games in Birmingham in July 2027. Prince Charles, the Duchess of Cornwall and Prince William attended the opening ceremony in 2014, so the fact that Queen Camilla turns 80 on the day of its finale seems irrelevant. This invitation, which will apparently be sent shortly, will undoubtedly be seen as a gesture of reconciliation by the Sussexes.

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This clearly places the King in an extremely difficult position, which is precisely what it is meant to do and probably why the venue was chosen.

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He is Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces and Invictus is a major military charity. Also, as head of state, he is a symbol of national unity. If he accepts, he would be putting duty above what obviously is a painful public rift between him and his family and the Sussexes. It will be argued that that is his job.

The Sussexes have established an extremely high international profile. However, Harry revealed recently that he and his father are not speaking and it has been reported that he and William have not spoken since Queen Elizabeth’s funeral. There is a deep and bitter rift in the Royal Family caused by the Sussexes brutal attacks on the world’s most high-profile institution, which they knew could not give detailed replies to their accusations. These included racism and callousness.

“Reconciliation” sounds so simple as everyone obviously supports it. However, it might involve extremely serious problems for the Royal Family, who rightly do not trust the Sussexes. If the King accepted it, this would involve public contact with Harry and almost certainly Meghan and his grandchildren, Archie and Lili.

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From what we know now, it would seem certain that William and Catherine would not attend. The photo opportunities which transpired would be of immeasurable use to the Sussexes brand. It has been reported that they have included the HRH titles on their children’s passports and would like them to have the choice to become working royals, though this is not a scenario which the King, or William, is likely to contemplate.

The Sussexes have clearly no desire to return to royal duties. However, despite the chaotic mismanagement of their affairs including the bizarre “twerking video” which was apparently released to show a pregnant Meghan was “authentic”, they remain as ambitious as ever.

What would undoubtedly appeal to them would be to be invited to an occasional high-profile royal event. Trooping the Colour, Royal Ascot, and garden parties come to mind as possibilities. They would, once more, become the centre of media attention, which would suit them, but not the Royal Family.

Harry’s fury at losing automatic police protection was clear in his recent BBC interview. However, if he visits Britain as a guest of the Royal Family, he does receive it. He has undoubtedly been traumatised by his mother’s death and sees threats, even from courtiers. There has always been the possibility of compromise on this issue.

The-then Prince of Wales attended the Invictus Games opening ceremony back in 2014 (Image: Getty)

As a non-working royal, Harry has no right to wear his uniform on state occasions. An exception was made when he attended the Vigil for Queen Elizabeth and this could happen in the future. He might also be permitted to lay a wreath or have one laid on his behalf at the Cenotaph. This would mean a great deal to him as he served for 10 years in the military, including two tours of duty in Afghanistan.

In normal circumstances, the obstacles to reconciliation would seem surmountable. However, the last five years have been extremely difficult for the Royal Family, because of illness and because of the Sussexes’ brutally destructive behaviour as well as Andrew’s disgrace.

Their greatest sin was to make Queen Elizabeth’s last years difficult ones. Their interview on Oprah, much of which has since been discredited, did considerable damage to the monarchy at a time when Prince Philip, who died the next month, was in hospital. They have learnt little; only last week, interviewed in an interminably lengthy podcast, Meghan spoke again about her “truth”.

The truth is they have never faced questioning about any of their claims about the Royal Family. The have simply twisted the truth to suit themselves. Further trouble for the Royal Family came with the Harry and Meghan docuseries for Netflix, which had huge ratings. Then came Harry’s memoir Spare and the interviews promoting it and new revelations made headlines around the world.

The pair haven’t shied away from criticising the Royal Family (Image: Getty)

Unsurprisingly, King Charles evicted the Sussexes from Frogmore Cottage as a response. King Charles is battling cancer and the Princess of Wales is in remission. These devastating blows to the Royal Family led to a pause of hostilities with the Sussexes, although after Harry’s interview with the BBC it looked as though they might be resumed. Any family, in this situation, would welcome a truce.

If however, the King made concessions, it would have to be with the agreement of William and that is hard to imagine. There would be another consequence. The polls consistently show that the Sussexes have become toxic in Britain. Except among the young, their ratings are simply terrible.

If we saw them attending royal events, it would enrage many ardent monarchists. After their betrayal of the Royal Family, many would rightly view their presence with horror.

The invitation to attend Invictus represents a direct challenge to King Charles. Much will hinge on how he replies and what subsequently happens.