Analysis: How the Sussexes Leverage the Invictus Games to Get Their Way
A trip to Nigeria, funded by taxpayers, in the wake of the African Parks scandal is part of the newest royal rebrand
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In 2023 of January during the Spare promotion tour, Prince Harry had a curious rejoinder when asked if he’d ever come back into the royal fold:
“Meghan and I had always wanted to continue to serve before our step back from the royal duties. If my father asks us for support across the Commonwealth, then that is certainly an open discussion”, Harry said.
To no surprise, except perhaps to Harry himself, no such ask or invitation materialized from King Charles. Harry wasn’t deterred. A year later, Charles’s cancer diagnosis was made public. Prince Harry made a quick trip to see his father for 30 minutes. In the days following, sources close to the Duke of Sussex let it be known that, yet again, he “was open to supporting” the royal family in their time of need:
The Duke of Sussex is willing to step into a temporary royal role while his father undergoes cancer treatment, it has been reported. Harry has told friends he would step into such a role while King Charles is unwell, according to The Times.
The duke and his father are said to have had several “warm exchanges” since the King’s illness was diagnosed, it was claimed. A royal source has also told the newspaper that Charles, 75, is keen to reconcile and see more of his son, and believes doing so would benefit the monarchy.
The source told The Times: “On all practical levels it makes perfect sense for the family to come together to support the King while he’s sick.
“Much has been said on both sides in recent years, but that has never diminished the fundamental bond of blood, and there are now pragmatic aspects to consider, with the King and Kate’s wellbeing paramount in this. The details of the Clarence House meeting and subsequent conversations are private, but the feeling is that this arrangement could work.”
Dear Readers, the query I had upon reading this obviously spoon-fed story was “Who’re the mystery people having feelings this arrangement, half-royal/half-influencer, could work”? And isn’t this the same arrangement the late Queen Elizabeth vetoed back in 2020 with the buy in from her son King Charles and grandson Prince William? I was right to be skeptical. The exact opposite happened. Many stories were written emphasizing Charles’d always keep the door open for his son. But as far as him becoming a part time royal? That was nothing more than flights of fancy from the Sussex camp.
Dear Readers, please know I don’t mean to sound callous. I find it profoundly tragic the plan of record to engage with his family relies on floating unworkable wishlists and desires to the press. In these instances, returning back to the royal fold and becoming royals again in some capacity’ve been the norm. But a new strategy’s been brewing since late last year after the Invictus Games in Dusseldorf: The new plan of record to force his family to acknowledge him and to be seen as “royal” now rests on using the Invictus Games. A two pronged approach is on the horizon: Makeshift royal tours to Africa and shouting from the rooftops about how exasperating it is that his family won’t accept his peace offerings or “help him” promote the Invictus Games. And, in my opinion, it’s a disservice to the individuals being helped.
Enter the Royal Rebrand
No one does an obvious PR Blitz quite like the Duke and Duchess of Sussex. I’m conditioned now to expect nothing short of rehashing old arguments and fights when they have something to promote. We’ve been aware for months now Prince Harry’d be visiting the UK on May 8th for an Invictus religious ceremony taking place in the crypt of St. Paul’s Cathedral. Every time one of these visits are on the calendar, we get the same spoon-fed stories to the press:
Step 1: There are stories about how Harry would love to meet up with his brother and father. In response, his father pretends his schedule is booked up.
Step 2: Exclusively sourced stories are written about how Harry NEEDS SECURITY NOW and if he doesn’t get it
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