Prince Harry and Meghan Markle reportedly have a strategic backup plan should their ongoing efforts to reconcile with King Charles fail, according to a new royal report. The Duke and Duchess of Sussex are believed to be considering using their connection to the Invictus Games as a “trump card” in their increasingly strained relationship with the Royal Family.
In a conversation with Royal Insider, royal commentator Richard Fitzwilliams suggested the couple may use their involvement with the Invictus Games—a charitable sporting event for wounded and disabled veterans—as a form of leverage if peace talks stall.
“However, the invitation to Invictus, an important military charity, is a trump card which the Sussexes will use, and they can, as is clear, be utterly ruthless,” Fitzwilliams explained. He added that the couple could potentially leak details of any royal meetings to advance their own media agenda, especially as they face critical decisions about their commercial partnerships.
“Leaking the details of the meeting might suit their agenda. They have declared they are ‘frustrated’ by this. But need attention with so much at stake with their Netflix contract soon due for renewal,” he said. The latest meeting between representatives of the Sussexes and King Charles took place last week on a private club terrace in London.
Prince Harry did not attend in person but was represented by Meredith Maines, his chief communications officer and head of his household in Montecito, California, and Liam Maguire, head of the couple’s UK public relations team. King Charles was also not present but was represented by his communications secretary, Tobyn Andreae.
Sources close to the matter said there was no “formal agenda” for the meeting but noted that “there were things both sides wanted to talk about.” The reported tension between the Sussexes and the Royal Family has persisted since Harry and Meghan stepped back from official royal duties in 2020.
Their move to the United States and subsequent interviews, documentaries, and public statements have further strained ties. The couple’s renewed interest in re-engaging with royal circles is seen by some commentators as part of a larger strategy to maintain their public relevance and media presence, especially amid speculation surrounding the future of their lucrative deals with Netflix and other platforms.
Whether the Invictus Games will become a bargaining chip in this ongoing royal drama remains to be seen, but experts suggest that the Sussexes are prepared to use every tool at their disposal if diplomacy fails.