Prince Harry attributes Uganda's Invictus Games withdrawal to King Charles' letter

Prince Harry is reportedly blaming a recent letter from King Charles for Uganda's decision to withdraw from the 2027 Invictus Games, a multi-sport event for injured service members founded by Harry in 2014. A source close to the Sussexes told ITV News that the letter, issued by the Lord Chamberlain without prior consultation with Harry and Meghan, has had unintended consequences for the Games participants.

The royal communiqué, released on Monday, reiterated that Harry and Meghan remain non-working members of the royal family and are "private citizens with commercial and charitable interests" despite their recent return to the United Kingdom. Uganda’s Chief of Defence Forces, General Muhoozi Kainerugaba, announced the country's pullout, stating the decision was made to avoid appearing opposed to King Charles, whom he said Uganda "deeply revere."

"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 wrote on social media.

Kainerugaba added that factions within Uganda’s Ministry of Defence supporting the Sussexes' activities had to be "quashed" and affirmed his support for the monarch.

Harry and Meghan have not publicly responded to the letter, though sources describe their reaction as frustration over the wording. The couple, who recently returned to the UK with their children, have previously indicated a preference to be described as "public figures" rather than "private citizens with commercial and charitable interests."