Prince Harry shares behind-the-scenes video from UK trip after Royal Family 'snub'
Prince Harry arriving at St Paul's Cathedral on May 8 for the service
Getty
Prince Harry has shared a new behind-the-scenes video from his trip to the UK last month, following his family’s decision to “snub” the 10th anniversary of the Invictus Games.
The Duke of Sussex spent three days in Britain last month to commemorate the sporting event, which was founded by Harry in 2014 when he was a working royal.
During the short trip, the Duke attended a service at St Paul's Cathedral, composed of both veterans and celebrities, including actor Damian Lewis and former triple jumper Jonathan Edwards.
However, whilst there were plenty of famous faces to be seen, members of the Royal Family were noticeably absent, with just Princess Diana’s siblings, Charles Spencer and Lady Jane Fellowes making an appearance at the service.
Prince Harry arriving at St Paul's Cathedral on May 8 for the service
Getty
No senior members of the Royal Family attended the event, as the King held a garden party at Buckingham Palace the same afternoon. King Charles was joined by Camilla, Prince Edward, the Duchess of Edinburgh and Princess Anne at the royal residence.
Despite the “snub”, in a recently released video, the Duke appears to have been in good spirits, with footage showing him laughing and joking with veterans and celebrities.
He waves to crowds outside the venue before warmly greeting the Dean of St Paul's the Very Reverend Andrew Tremlett, speaking with his uncle Earl Spencer and sitting next to his mentor Mark Dyer.
In the three-minute video shared online, the Duke can also be seen giving a speech from the pulpit where he quoted a verse from the bible, saying: “To each is given the manifestation of the Spirit for the common good.”
PRINCE HARRY LATEST:
Thank you to everyone who joined us earlier in May to celebrate 10 years of changing lives and saving lives at the #InvictusGames Foundation.
— Invictus Games Foundation 💛🖤 (@WeAreInvictus) May 31, 2024
Here's a look back at the Service of Thanksgiving from St Paul's Cathedral to celebrate that #IAM10 and #IAMHere. pic.twitter.com/An9clmatfE
Prince Harry attended the Invictus Games service at St Paul's CathedralGettyAfter leaving the event, the duke spoke with members of the public who were eagerly waiting outside.
Aside from words from Harry, Lewis also spoke to the audience and recited a reading of Invictus by poet William Ernest Henley, a work which has been closely linked to the sporting event.
“It matters not how straight the gait, how charged with punishments the scroll, I am the master of my fate, I am the captain of my soul,” he said.
The UK Invictus Games Team vice-captain also spoke, delivering a poem about the Games had changed her life. “Thank you Invictus, for giving me my life back,” she tearfully read aloud.
King Charles receives a gift during his visit to the Gibraltar Barracks in MinleyPA
King Charles stepped out in Minley, Hampshire the same day as the Invictus Games service
GettyAhead of the trip, a spokesperson for Prince Harry confirmed that the Duke would not be meeting with his father during his visit to the UK.
The spokesperson said: “In response to the many inquiries and continued speculation on whether or not the Duke will meet with his father while in the UK this week, it unfortunately will not be possible due to His Majesty’s full programme.
“The Duke of course is understanding of his father’s diary of commitments and various other priorities and hopes to see him soon.”
King Charles and his youngest son last met in February, days after it was announced that the monarch had been diagnosed with cancer.