Prince Harry attended the Invictus Games anniversary without his wife, Meghan Markle, and their children. However, he received support from his late mother, Princess Diana’s siblings, Earl Spencer and Lady Jane Fellowes.
The Duke’s father, King Charles III, was notably absent, hosting a garden party nearby. The monarch’s decision to “snub” his son’s event has raised eyebrows, with royal experts noting that it shows how sour their relationship has become.
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Princess Diana’s Siblings Support Prince Harry At The Invictus Games Anniversary
Members of Princess Diana’s family, including her brother, Charles Spencer, and her sister, Lady Jane Fellowes, Harry’s cousins Lara Spencer, Louis Spencer, and George McCorquodale showed up to support prince Harry.
This is Diana’s heir. pic.twitter.com/3evgfrCpuW
— Alexis is sowing discord in the West (@ArchewellBaby) May 8, 2024
During the commemoration of the Invictus Games anniversary, Prince Harry received heartfelt support from Princess Diana’s siblings, Earl Spencer and Lady Jane.
As they arrived at St. Paul’s Cathedral, they engaged in warm conversation with their nephew, who was spotted warmly embracing his late mother’s family members, visibly delighted by their presence.
Meanwhile, King Charles, who was absent at the event despite being just two miles away, hosted the first garden party of the season at Buckingham Palace, joined by other senior royals, excluding the Prince and Princess of Wales, who had other engagements and ongoing health treatment, respectively.
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Earlier, Harry’s spokesperson asserted that Charles was too busy to meet his youngest son during his brief stay in the UK. However, according to the DailyMail, Palace sources have claimed that no official requests for a meeting had been initiated.
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Prince Harry Maintains Close Bond With Princess Diana’s Siblings
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Despite known tensions with the Windsor family, Harry has maintained a close bond with his mother’s relatives, particularly his aunt, Lady Jane. As the middle sister among Diana’s siblings, she has served as a trusted confidante and stabilizing presence in the Duke of Sussex’s life.
Notably, she was invited to give a reading at Harry’s wedding to Meghan in 2018 and was among the first to meet their son Archie.
In his memoir “Spare,” Harry also expressed profound gratitude to Lady Jane, her elder sister, Lady Sarah McCorquodale, and Earl Spencer; however, he did not mention his father, King Charles, brother William, or late grandmother, Queen Elizabeth II.
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In addition to his aunt and uncle, Harry found himself among a diverse group of dignitaries, politicians, and close allies.
According to the DailyMail, his lawyer, David Sherbourne, and former army officer Mark Dyer, who provided crucial support following Diana’s passing, were among those present for the event.
Akshata Murty, wife of Rishi Sunak, Minister of State for Veterans’ Affairs Johnny Mercer, and former Olympic champion triple jumper Jonathan Edwards were also in attendance.
The Invictus Games’ Anniversary Ceremony Proceeded Without A Hitch
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During the event, Harry sat beside his mentor, Mark Dyer, and exchanged words with his uncle, Earl Spencer. The service commenced with the hymn “Praise My Soul The King Of Heaven.”
The Dean of St Paul’s addressed the congregation, stating: “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.”
He continued, “We give thanks for the inspiring vision and compassion that formed the foundation and, chiefly, for the resultant decade of profound and transformational work.”
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They Referenced Wars Happening Around The World
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The Dean lamented the toll of war and terror and prayed for global justice and unity, adding: “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,” he concluded, per the DailyMail.
A reading from 1 Corinthians 12:4-11 was delivered, and actor Damian Lewis recited the Invictus poem by William Ernest Henley.
Prince Harry Greets Royal Fans After The Invictus Games Anniversary Event
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Exiting the cathedral after the event, Harry engaged with the sizable crowds, notably chatting with fans from New York about their visit to the UK for a wedding.
Playfully, he asked if the wedding was “in there?” referring to St Paul’s Cathedral.
Amid the enthusiastic crowd, Harry interacted with a royal fan holding two phones for photos, Itkingly asking: “Why have you got two phones? it doesn’t make sense!”
As he made his way through the crowd, chants of “We love you, Harry” resounded, and excitement filled the air until he departed in a Land Rover.