Prince Harry branded ‘embarrassing’ amid calls for King Charles to attend Invictus Games

The comments come after Prince Harry is expected to invite King Charles to open the Invictus Games when they return to the UK next year, in what could signal a significant easing of tensions between father and son.

The pair have met only briefly in recent years, but the move could see them appear together on stage in Birmingham, with Harry said to be keen to realise a long-held ambition of launching the Games alongside the King.

Speaking on The People's Channel, Royal Commentator Ian Lloyd said: "Well, if he can get the King to attend, it’s a win-win situation.

"It’s a win on a personal level because it would show the world that they’re getting along. And can you imagine the media attention with King Charles there? It would focus on the Games and help with publicity.

"Secondly, it would also be a win because you would have the British head of state in attendance. You can see how people like Donald Trump absolutely adore King Charles, he has real global significance.

"The King is also head of state of Australia, Canada and New Zealand, and they’re sending participants, so he may well want to attend for that reason too."

Nana fumed: "I think a lot of people in this country are looking at this and thinking, 'Harry is a spoilt brat,' and perhaps he could just bring the kids to see the King because that’s really what this should be about, not him.

"Given the way he’s slagged off this country and his own family, it’s all very embarrassing."

Mr Lloyd agreed: "I think the King is a very empathetic man. Last June, for instance, I don’t know whether you remember there was a photograph of the King bending down to kiss Sarah Ferguson’s hand in the paddock at Royal Ascot.

"He was very forgiving, and he involved Fergie in church services at Christmas and Easter.

"That wouldn’t have happened in the past. He is more forgiving than his mother or the Queen Mother they were very determined to keep people like the Duke of Windsor out. Charles is different.

"I also think he probably regrets very much not having seen his two grandchildren. He’s only met Lilibet once, I think, when she was just born. So I believe he would be very keen to bring things together.

"And I think Harry, likewise. There’s no guarantee the King will have a long reign or live as long as Queen Elizabeth or Prince Philip.

"Harry will know that once anything happens to the King, his chances of getting William, as head of state, involved in the Invictus Games are virtually nil."

Sources say King Charles and his youngest son appear keen to draw a line under their long-running rift, with the return of the Invictus Games to the UK next year seen as the ideal moment to reconcile.

Harry’s international sporting event for wounded service personnel and veterans is due to return to Britain for the first time since 2014, with organisers already contacting officials in competing nations and preparations for Birmingham 2027 said to be well under way.

One source said: “Prince Harry desperately wants Charles at Invictus and he wants him to open the Games alongside him.

"He wants it both for the Games and for their relationship. It’s his dream to have his father by his side. It feels appropriate, with Invictus returning to the UK and Charles being Head of the Armed Forces.”