The King has stepped in to help reinstate Uganda’s participation in Prince Harry’s Invictus Games after the country withdrew from the tournament.
Charles, 77, was “moved” by General Kainerugaba’s consideration of his opinion and encouraged the chief to proceed with preparations for the country’s participation in the games, according to Sir Clive Alderton, the King and Queen’s principal private secretary.
The General has now approved participation in the upcoming Games, which was founded by the Duke of Sussex in 2014 and will next be held in 2027 in Birmingham, following a telephone phone call with Sir Clive, it was revealed on Monday.
Chris Magezi, the spokesperson for Uganda People’s Defence Forces (UPDF), wrote on social media: “The decision follows a telephone conversation between General Kainerugaba and the Principal Private Secretary to His Majesty The King and Her Majesty The Queen of the United Kingdom, the Right Honourable Sir Clive Alderton K.C.V.O.”
The country withdrew its participation last week, saying it would not compete without the King’s approval, and condemning “Harry-Meghan nonsense”.
It came after a letter was sent by the Lord Chamberlain to senior stakeholders on behalf of King Charles clarifying the Sussexes’ status as “private citizens” following their return to the UK. Prince William responds to Harry and Meghan Markle’s Diana tribute
Uganda pulls out of the Invictus Games
Last week, Uganda’s military chief announced that the country would be withdrawing from Prince Harry’s Invictus Games, saying they would not participate in an event without King Charles’ approval.
General Muhoozi Kainerugaba, the son of the Ugandan president and head of the country’s armed forces, revealed the news in a post on X.
“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 the social media platform.
According to The Times, when asked about the motives behind his announcement, Kainerugaba said: “I have factions in the Ministry of Defence that support that Harry-Meghan nonsense. I had to quash it straight away. I support the monarch. Period.”
The news came two months after Uganda’s Defence Minister appeared alongside Harry at an Invictus event in London to announce the country’s entry to the Games.
On 7 July in London, Uganda was officially welcomed as the 26th Invictus community nation and the very first from East Africa.
The Invictus Games is next scheduled for Birmingham in 2027, with Harry set to attend the first Invictus Spirit Awards on 17 September in London.
King Charles and Prince Harry latest
The Duke and Duchess of Sussex said they were a “little surprised” after being caught off guard by the King’s formal reiteration last week that they will be treated as “private citizens” after returning to the UK. It’s understood Harry and Meghan’s team were told around an hour before the letter was made public.
Harry’s father Charles asked the Royal Household’s most senior officer the Lord Chamberlain to write to senior stakeholders within the Government and the military setting out guidelines on their status.
A spokesman for Harry and Meghan said: “We were a little surprised not to have been told about this in advance.”
Meghan has now shared the first glimpse of the family’s arrival in the UK, taking to Instagram on Sunday with a wholesome video of Prince Archie, seven, and Princess Lilibet, five, enjoying countryside life.
