King Charles III intervened after Uganda pulled out of the Invictus Games last week in a brutal blow to Prince Harry.
While the monarch was “moved” by the country’s decision to abstain from the charity event in an effort “not to be construed as being opposed to” Charles, the 77-year-old king clarified he took no issue with their participation.
According to Chris Magezi, the spokesperson for Uganda People’s Defence Forces, Charles’ top adviser “encouraged the CDF to proceed with preparations for UPDF’s participation in the games” during a recent phone call.
Magezi subsequently tweeted that the country would take part in the charity event after all.
“The Chief of Defence Forces (CDF) and Senior Presidential Advisor for Special Operations, General Muhoozi Kainerugaba, has approved UPDF participation in the upcoming Invictus Games next year in Birmingham, United Kingdom,” he wrote Monday.
“Kainerugaba appreciated the King’s message and clarity provided by Buckingham Palace on the subject, promising that the UPDF would resume preparations to participate in the upcoming games.”
Reps for Charles and Harry did not immediately respond to Page Six’s requests for comment.
News initially broke last week that Uganda was withdrawing, with Kainerugaba announcing, “We shall not participate in anything that does not have His Majesty’s approval.”
Additionally, he told the Times UK, “I have factions in the Ministry of Defense that support that Harry-Meghan [Markle] nonsense. I had to quash it straight away. I support the monarch. Period.”
His “nonsense” comment came on the heels of Harry, 41, and his wife, Meghan Markle, relocating to the United Kingdom with their two kids.
More than one week after the duo touched down in England with Prince Archie, 7, and Princess Lilibet, 5, Charles released a statement clarifying their status as “private citizens with commercial and charitable interests” — not a working royal.
He wrote, “It is well known that in January 2020 the Duke and Duchess stepped down from undertaking representative duties on behalf of the Sovereign, and are no longer working Members of the Royal Family.”
Harry and Markle, 45, have taken issue with the label, per People, as they consider themselves “public figures.”
The Duke of Sussex reportedly blamed his dad’s announcement for Uganda’s short-lived exit, with a source telling ITV News, “Sadly, the only people who will suffer are the Invictus Games competitors.”
The former military pilot launched the charity event in 2014, with the organization throwing a biennial multi-sport event for wounded, injured and sick military service personnel.
Thursday’s Invictus Spirit Awards will be Harry’s first official engagement since departing Montecito, California, followed by the WellChild Awards later this month.
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