Meghan Markle is expected to attend the upcoming Invictus Games in Birmingham, and one royal expert believes she will use the opportunity strategically to reshape public perception and reinforce her influence within the royal-adjacent spotlight.
In a conversation with Daily Express UK, royal commentator Richard Fitzwilliams said that Meghan’s attendance is all but guaranteed, especially as speculation swirls that Prince Harry may extend invitations to both King Charles and Prince William.
“She will, of course, be expected to attend in Birmingham; not to do so would be a public humiliation,” Fitzwilliams said, suggesting her absence would draw negative attention. He further claimed, “However, the Invictus Games are Meghan’s trump cards and she is likely to play them ruthlessly. This involves approving moves towards ‘reconciliation’.”
According to Fitzwilliams, Meghan may be using the occasion as a carefully timed opportunity to align herself with positive headlines, particularly after months of critical media coverage and waning public favor in the UK. He described the potential PR benefits as something she “rather obviously needs.”
The Invictus Games, founded by Prince Harry in 2014, has long been seen as one of the most meaningful projects associated with the Sussexes. While it has historically focused on wounded service personnel and veterans, recent appearances by Meghan have drawn mixed reactions—some praising her support, others criticizing her presence as a distraction from the event’s core mission.
Reacting to the possibility of Meghan attending the Birmingham event, one royal fan commented online, “Please keep her away. The Invictus Games need to go back to being about the brave men and women who gave up so much to serve their countries.”
Fitzwilliams also addressed reports of a recent behind-the-scenes meeting between King Charles’ communications secretary and two senior aides from the Sussex camp, suggesting Meghan was fully aware and supportive of the interaction.
“However, the so-called ‘secret meeting’ between King Charles’s Communications Secretary and two of the Sussexes’ most senior aides obviously occurred with her full backing. We do not know who leaked it to the press,” he said.
As preparations for the Invictus Games continue, Meghan’s potential role remains in the spotlight—alongside renewed speculation over the state of royal family relations and whether this high-profile event could mark a step, or a setback, in any move toward reconciliation.