Harry blames King’s letter for Uganda Invictus Games withdrawal

Prince Harry believes a letter released on behalf of his father King Charles is the reason Uganda decided to pull out of the Invictus Games.

The letter clarified Harry and Meghan’s positions as non-working royals, as they moved back to the UK from the United States.

A source told People the letter was interpreted as advice by the Ugandan government, and was inevitably going to impact participating Invictus Games countries.

“They made it very clear that the reason they pulled out was a direct result of perceived guidance from the Lord Chamberlain. This was an unintended or intended consequence of the letter — and that was always going to happen,” the source said.

“The only people suffering as a result are the competitors from Uganda who would have been taking part in next year’s Invictus Games.”

ITV and the Telegraph have also reported sources that echo Harry’s sentiments.

The letter detailed the agreements previously made during the “Sandringham Summit” in 2020, including that neither Meghan nor Harry should use their royal HRH styles and that courtesies, particularly ones involving public funds, should be routed through Buckingham Palace instead of directly to the Duke and Duchess.

A Ugandan official, General Muhoozi Kainerugaba, said on Thursday that the African nation would no longer be attending the Invictus Games, which were founded by Prince Harry.

His reasoning was Uganda did not want to be seen as siding with the Sussexes amid ongoing tensions between them and the royal family.

“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,” Kainerugaba said.

“We shall not participate in anything that does not have His Majesty’s approval.”

Labelling the royal rift as “that Harry-Meghan nonsense”, Kainerugaba’s announcement came only months after Uganda joined the games, becoming the 26th country to do so.

The Invictus Games will make its return in Birmingham and take place from July 10 to 17, 2027.