Prince Harry cuts lonely figure at St Paul’s Cathedral for Invictus Games service after family snub
Prince Harry has arrived at St Paul’s Cathedral in London for tonight’s special service celebrating the 10th anniversary of the Invictus Games – and came dressed in a smart suit with his military medals
Prince Harry has arrived at St Paul’s Cathedral for tonight’s special service celebrating the Invictus Games after failing to reunite with his royal relatives during his UK trip.
The event is commemorating the 10th anniversary of the Invictus Games, which Harry set up in 2014 to support injured servicemen and women. Tonight’s service will feature a reading from the Duke of Sussex and actor Damian Lewis will read a poem. Harry arrived at the Cathedral without any members of the Royal Family, following the announcement King Charles is too busy to reunite with his son. Harry also wasn’t joined by his wife Meghan Markle as she decided to remain in America instead of returning to the UK.
King Charles supported by huge royal turnout at party minutes before snubbed Harry’s UK event
Harry waved as wellwishers cheered as he entered the cathedral (
Image:
AFP via Getty Images)
As he got out of his car wearing a navy suit and his military medals, he smiled and waved as cheers rang out among wellwishers, 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.
Other notable guests at the service included his cousin Louis Spencer, the Prime Minister Rishi Sunak’s wife Akshata Murty and his lawyer David Sherbourne. Also there was and former Army officer Mark Dyer, who acted as the duke’s mentor, playing the role of a supportive big brother figure for Harry after Diana’s death.
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 next to Mr Dyer and exchanged a few words with his uncle Earl Spencer.
Harry on arriving at the cathedral (
Image:
Getty Images for Invictus Games)
Harry’s uncle Earl Spencer at St Paul’s today ( Image: Getty Images for Invictus Games)
The service began with the hymn Praise My Soul The King Of Heaven The Dean of St Paul’s told the congregation: “We gather this evening to offer grateful thanksgiving to Almighty God for the work of the Invictus Games Foundation, and in this their 10th anniversary year, we celebrate the tremendous achievements of the numerous competitors across 23 nations. We give thanks for the inspiring vision and compassion that formed the foundation and, chiefly, for the resultant decade of profound and transformational work.
“We lament the pain, cost and indignity of war and terror, and pray for a world where justice shall reign and where the nations will find their longed for unity. We recall, with admiration, the skill and determination of those who seek to repair, rehabilitate, and reclaim the lives of those living with serious illness or injury: changing and saving lives.”
The Duke of Sussex landed in the UK on Tuesday. As part of his trip, he has so far taken part in The Invictus Games Foundation Conversation titled “Realising a Global Community” and met up with his millionaire pal Guy Monson.
The Royal Family at a Buckingham Palace garden party today ( Image:
Harry had been hoping to see his father during his trip, but it has been revealed that won’t be happening. A spokesperson for the Duke of Sussex said yesterday: “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.” A source previously told The Mirror: “Harry has kept in regular contact with his father on several occasions and made no secret of his desire to see him when he can.”
Harry is set to join Meghan in Nigeria tomorrow to take part in talks about the Invictus Games. It’s believed Meghan and Harry will visit Camp Wu Bassey, an Army barracks in Abuja, during their trip. Here, they will be treated to a banquet with military officials.
The Sussexes have a large team who will no doubt be accompanying them to Nigeria. Miranda Barbot, a PR expert who previously worked with Barack Obama, has recently been promoted by Meghan and Harry to vice-president of programmes and media operations at Archewell. It’s believed she will be helping to plan the couple’s tour of Nigeria and will likely accompany them on the trip.
Harry and Meghan are also set to meet with servicemen and their families while in Nigeria. The African country joined the Invictus Community of Nations in 2022 and became the first African country to join the Invictus movement.