Uganda has announced its withdrawal from Prince Harry’s Invictus Games, a move attributed to recent guidance issued by Buckingham Palace regarding the Duke and Duchess of Sussex’s royal status.
On Monday, Buckingham Palace, on behalf of King Charles III, circulated a letter to senior stakeholders confirming that Prince Harry and Meghan Markle should be regarded as private citizens and not working members of the Royal Family despite their return to the UK. The letter explicitly stated that the Sussexes are not to use their HRH styles, which remain in abeyance, and they do not represent the sovereign during public appearances.
A spokesperson for the Sussexes expressed surprise at the timing and nature of the letter, stating: “We were a little surprised not to have been told about this in advance.” The publication of the letter reportedly caught the couple off guard.
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Gen Muhoozi Kainerugaba, son of the Ugandan President and the nation’s military chief, announced on social media Uganda’s decision to withdraw from the forthcoming Invictus Games. He emphasised respect for King Charles as the motivating factor, writing: “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. We shall not participate in anything that does not have His Majesty’s approval.”
In an interview with The Times, General Kainerugaba explained his decision by referencing internal disputes within Uganda’s Ministry of Defence concerning the “Harry-Meghan nonsense,” affirming his unequivocal support for the monarch.
A source close to the Sussexes told ITV, “Intended or unintended, this is clearly a consequence of the Lord Chamberlain’s guidance regarding the Duke and Duchess of Sussex that was rushed out without consultation on Monday. Sadly, the only people who will suffer are the Invictus Games competitors.”
The letter from the Lord Chamberlain, the King’s senior official, was prompted by requests for clarity on the Sussexes' royal status and was distributed to government officials, the military, and lord lieutenants across the United Kingdom.
While King Charles was reportedly pleased to reunite with his family members upon their return, he remained firm that the Sussexes would not hold working royal roles, dismissing any notion of a mixed status.
Uganda’s withdrawal highlights the wider international implications arising from the Royal Family’s current dynamics and underscores the respect afforded to the monarch globally within official and military circles.