In a surprising turn of events, King Charles III has sparked controversy by throwing a mandatory party for members of the royal family, while Prince Harry's Invictus Games service was taking place just a few miles away. The move has been seen as another snub towards Prince Harry, further straining their already tense relationship.

According to veteran royal reporter Tom Sykes of the Daily Beast, King Charles ordered all working royals, including Princess Anne and Prince Edward, to attend a garden party at Buckingham Palace. Notably absent from the guest list were Prince William and Kate Middleton. The lavish soirée took place on the great lawn of the palace in London, while Prince William hosted an impressive event at Windsor Castle earlier in the day.

It appears that King Charles did extend an invitation to his estranged brother Prince William and sister-in-law Kate Middleton, who has been undergoing chemotherapy for cancer and has been out of the public eye. However, the absence of the larger royal family from Prince Harry's event has raised eyebrows and led to criticism.

Various insiders have expressed their disappointment over the royal family's lack of support for the Invictus Games, an organization founded by Prince Harry that helps wounded, injured, and sick servicemen and women. A former courtier revealed that while King Charles is willing to be friendly and supportive of Prince Harry in his capacity as a private person and as his father, he is hesitant to align the institution with the Invictus Games.

Some believe that the royal family's absence from the event is a missed opportunity to build bridges with Prince Harry. The courtier argued that the Invictus Games is precisely the kind of charity that the royal family should be supporting, and abandoning it sends the wrong message to the public.

A military source also voiced their disappointment, highlighting that the Invictus Games was explicitly set up as an organization endorsed by the royal family. Denying it proper royal endorsement has left many feeling that it is not fair to the foundation and its cause.

The strained relationship between Prince Harry and King Charles was further evident as they did not cross paths during Prince Harry's recent visit to London. This absence speaks volumes about the ongoing difficulties they face, particularly in light of King Charles' current battle with cancer.

The rift between Prince Harry, 39, and King Charles, 75, first emerged when the prince and his wife, Meghan Markle, stepped back from their royal duties in 2020 and relocated to California, where they have been working on various media ventures. While Prince Harry remains dedicated to supporting injured veterans, Meghan Markle recently launched her own lifestyle company, American Riviera Orchard.

As the controversy over the royal snub intensifies, it remains to be seen how this latest development will impact the already strained relationship between Prince Harry and the royal family. The absence of support for the Invictus Games has left many questioning the wisdom of withholding support for such a worthy cause.