The British government has pledged £26 million in its bid to host the 2027 Invictus Games, move which could force the Royal Family into some difficult decisions, amid ongoing tensions with the Sussexes.
A royal source suggested that the bid would place the Royal Family – particularly Prince William and his wife Kate, Princess of Wales – in a “difficult position”. It would be the first time the Invictus Games has returned to the UK since the Sussexes quit the UK.
Prince Harry founded the sports competition for wounded, injured and sick military personnel, both serving and veterans, in 2014. At the time, during the inaugural opening ceremony, then-Prince Charles, Camilla, and William appeared alongside Harry.
William and Kate were key figures in setting up the games and were understood to be “delighted that it has been a success”.
However, the Royal Family has not made a public statement on the Invictus Games for several years
Privately, in 2020, Prince William and Catherine made a generous £880,000 donation to the event.
In May, the Duke of Sussex is expected to attend a service at St Paul’s Cathedral in London, to mark the tenth anniversary of the Invictus Games.
It is “unlikely” he will be bringing his wife or their children, Prince Archie and Princess Lilibet, the Telegraph reports.
Royal insiders have suggested that Harry will most likely not be meeting with his brother Prince William or the Princess of Wales, following her cancer diagnosis announcement.
The Invictus Games has recently taken part in Dusseldorf, Germany, and the Hague, Netherlands.
Next year the Games will take place in Vancouver and Whistler, Canada.
The UK is currently competing with Washington DC to host the 2027 games.
Veterans minister Johnny Mercer has sought to get further private finance to help the bid, recently saying: “The vision the Duke of Sussex had to see that a decade ago had almost single-handedly transformed the lives of thousands of veterans, not only in the UK but globally, with up to 22 nations now involved in this incredible legacy.
“So yes, I want the Games. I want the Games because you actually have to be there to feel that incredible transformative power of the Invictus Games in these people’s lives being built.”
