Dutch King Gives Prince Harry a Cold Shoulder at Invictus Games

Prince Harry received a big snub from the Dutch King, Willem-Alexander, during his visit to the Netherlands for the Invictus Games.

The Duke of Sussex was all smiles as he shook hands with the Sovereign on the final day of the event, but the King's appearance was a last-minute one, leaving many to wonder if it was a sign of disrespect towards Harry and Meghan.

The two royals were accompanied by Mark de Cruyff, chairman of the ongoing tournament at The Hague.

They watched together a wheelchair basketball match between the Dutch and US team.

In one picture, King Willem-Alexander appears to be in stitches while Prince Harry speaks to him.

Fans of the Duke of Sussex were quick to react to the cheerful photographs, but some criticized the lack of respect shown to Harry and Meghan.

One fan commented that the snub came when they were not invited to stay on royal grounds or for dinner with the Dutch royals.

Another added that the King made sure to avoid a migraine by avoiding Meghan.

The Duke and Duchess of Sussex, who stepped back from royal duties and renounced their HRH titles, were not received by the Dutch royal family.

They were not given an audience with the King or offered a room in the royal palace, according to the Daily Mail.

The Dutch and British royal families have close links, as demonstrated in late March when King Willem-Alexander travelled to London alongside his wife Queen Maxima and Princess Beatrix to attend the service of Thanksgiving for Prince Philip.

After the ceremony, attended by several foreign royals, Beatrix also headed to a reception held in celebration of the 100th anniversary of the Anglo-Netherlands Society, where she was joined by the Queen's cousins the Duke and Duchess of Gloucester.

King Willem-Alexander is expected to attend the closing ceremony of the Games, taking place later today.

While this edition of the Games is ending today, the Duke has already whipped up excitement for the upcoming tournaments.

Next year, veterans and military personnel who have experienced physical or mental issues during service will take part in the Games in Düsseldorf, Germany.

But, as announced earlier today by the Duke, the Invictus Tournament will undergo a few key changes in 2025.

On that year, the Games are to return to Canada and take place in the cities of Vancouver and Whistler.

But, for the first time, they will include winter sports such as alpine skiing, Nordic skiing, skeleton, and wheelchair curling.

Announcing the news, the Duke said, “As Invictus continues to adapt and evolve, I am extremely excited to announce that the Invictus Games Foundation has selected Canada to host the first-ever winter hybrid Games in 2025.

The Invictus Games Vancouver-Whistler 2025 will offer a global platform to expand the range and profile of winter adaptive sports.

With deep respect, I am also pleased to share that the Games in Canada will be held in partnership with the First Nations, in the spirit of truth and reconciliation with indigenous communities.”

Despite the snub from the Dutch King, Prince Harry remained upbeat and focused on the future of the Invictus Games.

The event continues to bring together veterans and service personnel from around the world, providing them with a platform to showcase their skills and resilience.

The Invictus Games Foundation is committed to expanding the reach of the Games, ensuring that more people can benefit from the unique experience it provides.