Prince Harry celebrates Invictus Games anniversary with St Paul’s Cathedral service after Charles 'snub'
The Duke of Sussex has arrived at the service of thanksgiving at London’s St Paul’s Cathedral to celebrate the 10th anniversary of his Invictus Games.
Harry, 39, has travelled back to the UK to commemorate the milestone with members of the Invictus Games family and mark the decade-long support competitors in the paralympic-style tournament have received.
He has not been joined on the trip by his wife Meghan Markle or their children, Archie and Lilibet.
During the service, Harry will give a reading and actor Damian Lewis will recite the Invictus poem.
As he got out of his car wearing a navy suit and his military medals, he smiled and waved as cheers rang out among well-wishers, who had been waiting to catch a glimpse of him.
His arrival came just minutes after King Charles was flanked by a huge contingent of royals in a show of unity at this afternoon's Buckingham Palace garden party, which is taking place just two miles away. However, despite his royal relatives not attending the service, family members who did join were his uncle Earl Charles Spencer and his aunt Lady Jane Fellowes, both siblings of the late Princess Diana.
The duke was warmly greeted by the Dean of St Paul's, the Very Reverend Andrew Tremlett, before being escorted to his seat under the cathedral’s great dome. Crowds had gathered around crash barriers to see the duke's car pull up, and there was a large number of journalists, photographers and cameramen covering his every move.
There was speculation that Harry would see his father, King Charles, during his visit to the UK, but a spokesman for Harry confirmed on Tuesday, 7 May, that the monarch, 75, had a “full programme” and a meeting would not happen.
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 Harry 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.”
It is thought that King Charles has been receiving his cancer treatment as an outpatient midweek and he hosted the first Buckingham Palace garden party of the season on Wednesday.
Wearing a grey suit and light blue waistcoat, Charles could be seen smiling to the crowds as he entered the garden with the Queen. They were joined by Princess Anne, the Duke and Duchess of Edinburgh and the Duke and Duchess of Gloucester.
Meanwhile it is also not expected that Harry will be seeing his older brother Prince William during his return trip.
Today William carried out investitures at Windsor Castle today – as film director Sir Ridley Scott was made a Knight Grand Cross at Windsor Castle by the Price of Wales.
The 86-year-old, whose filmography includes Gladiator, Blade Runner and Alien, has been recognised for services to the UK film industry.
Former England goalkeeper Peter Shilton was also recognised during Wednesday’s investiture ceremony, along with Lionness Mary Earps.
Not long after it was confirmed that Harry and Charles won’t be meeting, the King announced a ceremony to celebrate his son William taking charge of Harry’s former helicopter regiment next week. It was officially confirmed that William would take charge in August 2023.
It’s been confirmed that next Monday the monarch will attend a ceremony to announce William, 41, as Colonel-in-Chief of Harry’s former regiment, Army Air Corps.
The event is to take place in front of an Apache, which is the type of helicopter that Harry flew when serving in Afghanistan. The Prince of Wales, who worked as a pilot for the East Anglian Air Ambulance service between 2015 and 2017, is to take to the skies in the helicopter.
