Prince Harry is said to be keen for King Charles to open the Invictus Games when the international sporting event returns to the United Kingdom next year, viewing the monarch’s involvement as a powerful gesture of unity and support for wounded veterans.

The Duke of Sussex, who founded the Games in 2014, reportedly believes that the King’s presence would underscore the importance of the event and honour the service of injured and ill members of the armed forces.

The Invictus Games, which were established by Prince Harry after his own military service in Afghanistan, have grown into a major international competition celebrating resilience, recovery and rehabilitation through sport.

The event has been hosted in several countries since its inception, and its planned return to the UK is seen as a symbolic moment for the movement and its participants.

Those familiar with the preparations say Prince Harry regards the Games as his most significant charitable legacy and hopes that a royal opening by King Charles would highlight their national importance.

Such a role for the monarch would also be consistent with the King’s longstanding support for the armed forces and veterans’ causes.

While no formal announcement has been made regarding the opening ceremony, the prospect of the King’s involvement has attracted attention amid ongoing public interest in the relationship between Prince Harry and the Royal Family.

Organisers have emphasised that the focus remains firmly on the competitors and the wider message of courage and recovery that the Invictus Games aim to convey when they return to British soil next year.