Prince Harry met with King Willem-Alexander of the Netherlands on the final day of the Invictus Games.
The prince, dressed in a dark blue suit and blue shirt, warmly greeted the Dutch head of state.
Both men exchanged handshakes and smiles as they posed for a quick photo before entering the venue where veterans and service personnel from around the world were competing in the last events of this year’s games.
Mart de Cruyff, chairman of the ongoing tournament at The Hague, accompanied the two royals.
Later, Harry and King Willem-Alexander were seen inside the stadium, watching a wheelchair basketball match between the Dutch and US teams.
However, it seems that the Dutch royals have snubbed Harry and Meghan Markle.
They were not invited to stay at the palace or join the royal family for dinner, which is a well-known tradition.
This silence from the Dutch royals was quite noticeable, as pointed out by one reader.
In contrast, King Willem-Alexander had traveled to London last month with his wife Queen Maxima and his mother, Princess Beatrix, to attend Prince Philip’s service of Thanksgiving.
This act of respect was praised by an online user who compared it to Harry’s absence, stating that the Dutch king showed more respect for his grandfather than Harry did.
The Harkles, as they are sometimes called, faced mockery for leaving behind their senior royal status.
Journalist Angela Mollet commented on the couple’s unusual choice not to stay at the Dutch palace during their visit.
She compared it to their time in Australia when they lived at the governor-general’s house.
Mollet referred to recent treatment from Meghan as symbolic, implying that their actions were reflective of their current situation.
Mollet also discussed the attention that would be on Harry during the trip and expressed hope that it wouldn’t overshadow the importance of the Invictus Games for the soldiers and armed forces personnel participating.
Meanwhile, Harry’s request for the Home Office to provide him and his family with the same level of protection as when he was a working member of the royal family was ridiculed.
Royal commentator Hugo Vickers suggested that Harry could simply pay for private security using the earnings he and Meghan Markle have accumulated since leaving their royal roles.
Vickers explained that security decisions are made by Scotland Yard, not the royal family, and if Harry has the financial means, he should be able to afford his own protection.
He also highlighted the existing security measures at Windsor and in London, emphasizing that Harry would already have sufficient protection in those locations.
In conclusion, Prince Harry’s warm welcome to King Willem-Alexander at the Invictus Games was met with speculation and criticism.
The Dutch royals’ apparent snub of Harry and Meghan, along with discussions about security arrangements, added further complexity to their visit.
As the games continued, attention remained on Harry, but it was hoped that the focus would shift back to the important event and the participants it aimed to honor.
