Prince William and Princess Kate are “unlikely” to attend Prince Harry’s 2027 Invictus Games in Birmingham, an expert has said. It was reported weeks ago that the Duke of Sussex, 40, agreed to invite the Royal Family to the competition, which is an event run by The Invictus Games Charity, founded by the prince in 2014 to help wounded ex-servicemen and women.
While it is not yet known whether the royals will attend the event, which is just under two years away, a royal expert believes that Prince Harry’s brother and sister-in-law will not be there. Although there is a long way to go until the event, it is well-known that the brothers have not seen eye to eye in recent years, with reports suggesting they are no longer on talking terms and this is not believed to change anytime soon.
It is believed that although the rift began before Harry quit royal life in 2020, it had become progressively worse, with the final straw between the siblings reported to be Harry’s 2023 memoir Spare.
Talking exclusively to Express.co.uk about the 2027 event, royal expert Richard Fitzwilliams said: “Prince William and Catherine are not thought likely to attend.
“I strongly doubt Princess Anne will attend. However, there is a long time to go and anything could happen!”
Fitzwilliams also said that if Harry’s father King Charles, 76, does not attend, then it is likely he will send royals to attend on his behalf.
Although unconfirmed, Fitzwilliams said the monarch could send Harry’s cousins Princess Eugenie and Princess Beatrice, who reportedly still get on well with the prince.
The expert said: “Invictus, which Harry founded, is an important military charity. We don’t yet know if the King, who is commander in Chief of the Armed Forces, will attend.
“We do know that if he does not, he is certain to be represented. He might ask Beatrice and Eugenie, both of whom get on with the Sussexes, to represent him.
“This would be quite within his right as monarch, although it would obviously be seen as a snub. In any event, they (Eugenie and Beatrice) are expected to attend.”
The 2027 event will be held at the National Exhibition Centre (NEC) in Birmingham from July 10 until July 17.