Fresh blow for Prince Harry days after King’s letter clarifying his and Meghan’s royal status
Prince Harry has been dealt another blow this week, with Uganda pulling their team out of his beloved Invictus Games taking place in Birmingham next year.
It comes just days after King Charles issued a letter clarifying the Duke and Duchess of Sussex’s status as “private citizens” and not working royals.
Prince Harry has been dealt another blow this week, with Uganda pulling their team out of his beloved Invictus Games taking place in Birmingham next year. Andrii Khodkov/Apostrophe/Global Images Ukraine/Getty Images
In what appears to be a direct result of that, Uganda’s military chief General Muhoozi Kainerugaba announced they will not be taking part.
“In order not to be construed as being opposed to His Majesty King Charles III of the United Kingdom, whom we deeply revere, Uganda hereby withdraws from the Invictus Games,” he wrote in a post on X.
“We shall not participate in anything that does not have His Majesty’s approval.”
When asked what motivated his decision, General Kainerugaba, son of Uganda’s president, told UK newspaper The Times it was to put the monarch of the Commonwealth country first.
General Muhoozi Kainerugaba (pictured) said he wanted to “quash” the “Harry-Meghan nonsense”. Getty
Uganda’s military chief General Muhoozi Kainerugaba announced they will not take part in next year’s Invictus Games out of allegiance to King Charles. X/Muhoozi Kainerugaba
“I have factions in the Ministry of Defence that support that Harry-Meghan nonsense,” he told the publication.
“I had to quash it straight away. I support the monarch. Period.”
It’s not exactly clear if this is Kainerugaba’s personal view, or that of the government and country at large, but Ugandan government spokesman Alan Kasujja said the decision was entirely in the general’s hands.
“General Kainerugaba decides whether or not the UPDF [Uganda People’s Defence Force] participates in the Invictus Games,” he told BBC.
“What you saw is his stated position. If it changes, he will let the world know.”
Prince Harry with Ugandan officials at the Chatham House event in London announcing the country would become the 26th nation involved in next year’s Invictus Games. Instagram/weareinvictusgames
Uganda was announced as the 26th country – and first East African nation – to take part in the 2027 Invictus Games, during a July 7 event with Prince Harry in London counting down to next year’s event.
Ugandan Defence Minister Kiryowa Kiwanuka attended the event and praised the Duke of Sussex and his work at the time.
“This milestone reflects our shared commitment to wounded, injured and sick servicemen and women who have sacrificed greatly in service to our nation,” Kiwanuka said.
A Buckingham Palace told multiple UK media outlets the King supported all organisations and efforts for wounded service personnel.
Invictus Games said it hadn’t received any official notification of the withdrawal before the social media post and was seeking clarification over the matter.
Prince Harry has reportedly invited King Charles to the Invictus Games in Birmingham next year. Samir Hussein/WireImage
Prince Harry’s tournament for wounded or ill servicemen and women will take place in the UK for the first time since 2014’s inaugural games in London.
The Duke of Sussex is said to have already invited King Charles to the event and reportedly asked his dad to be involved in opening the games, though this has not been confirmed by either party.
The move comes just two days after a letter about the Sussexes was sent on behalf of King Charles by the Lord Chamberlain to government departments, military officials and Lord Lieutenants.
It emphasised that any upcoming public appearances or charity events by the couple should not be treated as royal engagements at any level.
The move comes just two days after a letter about the Sussexes emphasised they remain “private citizens” and not working royals. AP/AAP
“The charitable work of the Duke and Duchess is a personal matter for them both and undertaken in their private capacity,” the letter stated.
The letter from the monarch was sent out for the avoidance of doubt after Harry and Meghan moved back to the UK two weeks ago for “an extended stay”.
Their return comes six years after they gave up their roles as senior working members of the royal family in 2020 to move to North America for a private life and “financial independence”.
They had first pitched a half-in, half-out approach to royal life, which was rebuked by the late Queen Elizabeth, then-Prince Charles and Prince William during an emergency meeting dubbed the Sandringham Summit.
It emphasised that any upcoming public appearances or charity events by the couple should not be treated as royal engagements at any level. AP
King Charles’ letter indicates the agreement made at the time is still in place, with the couple not to use their royal titles, such as His/Her Royal Highness (HRH), in any of their business arrangements.
They will continue to operate separate from the royal household.
Prince Harry and Meghan were said to be “a little surprised” not to have had further warning before the letter was sent out, being given just a one-hour heads up.
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