‘We'd be delighted if members of the royal family were able to attend': Prince Harry's team goes off script during Invictus interview
Harry helped set up Invictus in 2014 as an Olympics-style international sporting event for injured and wounded servicemen and women across the globe.
The first ever winter edition of the Invictus Games took place in Whistler and Vancouver in February this year and featured athletes from 23 different countries.
The next edition of the Invictus Games is set to take place in 2027 in Birmingham, marking the event's return to Harry's native United Kingdom for the first time since the inaugural London games.
Last week, Helen Helliwell, CEO of the Invictus Games in Birmingham, sat down with People magazine and revealed her hopes that Harry's estranged relatives will show up in Birmingham.
The iconic American tabloid typically reports on the Sussexes positively and has been granted rare exclusives from Harry and Meghan.
'They've been supporters of Invictus since inception in 2014,' Ms Helliwell told the magazine.
"Again, we're two years away, and it's too soon to confirm who's going to be there.
'But obviously, we'd be delighted if members of the royal family were able to attend and would very much welcome their presence in a couple of years' time.'
While the royal family has supported Harry's signature organisation since its inception, no senior royals have appeared at any Invictus event since the Sussexes left royal duties five years ago.
The entire monarchy also noticeably snubbed a major service in London to celebrate a decade of Invictus at St Paul's Cathedral last year.
Instead, Harry was supported at the event by his uncle Earl Spencer and his aunt Lady Jane Fellowes from Princess Diana's side of the family.
Meanwhile, Harry's wife Meghan Markle still allegedly refuses to return to the UK without an apology from the monarchy for perceived mistreatment.
The comments come after fresh speculation the rift between Harry and King Charles is finally starting to thaw.
Over the weekend, Harry's new chief communications officer, Meredith Maines, and UK-based PR rep Liam Maguire were photographed meeting with the King's top aide, Communications Secretary Tobyn Andreae, near Clarence House.
The meeting, first revealed by The Mail on Sunday, reportedly had "no formal agenda" but there were "things both sides wanted to talk about".
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