Concerns about security could affect the participation of Prince Harry and Meghan Markle in the 2027 Invictus Games in Birmingham, United Kingdom (UK). The Duke of Sussex, who initiated the sports event for wounded, injured, or sick military personnel and veterans, is currently in a tussle with the Home Office over security provisions for his family during UK visits.
Prince Harry, a resident of Montecito, California, failed in a High Court challenge against the government regarding state-funded police protection in February 2024. His claim was that without adequate security measures, he could not safely bring his children, Prince Archie, five, and Princess Lilibet, three, to the UK.
While he was allowed to appeal the decision in May, a failure in this appeal might force Harry to attend the games alone due to concerns for his family’s safety. His offer to personally fund police protection was rejected, the court stating that wealthy individuals should not be allowed to “purchase” security services.
Prince Harry has warned Meghan of the risks of her accompanying him without security in the UK.
The 2027 Invictus Games will be held in Birmingham, marking the event’s return to the UK for the first time since its inception in London in 2014. The announcement was made during a special event at the National Exhibition Centre (NEC) in Birmingham, which included a flag-raising ceremony and a demonstration of wheelchair sports. The bid for the games, costing $33.28 million, was funded by the UK government, not the financially challenged Birmingham City Council.
The Invictus Games are particularly significant for Harry and Meghan, who were first publicly seen together at the 2017 games in Toronto. Meghan has been present at every Invictus Games since then. However, ongoing security concerns may stop her from accompanying Harry to Birmingham in 2027. A royal expert suggested that Harry would likely attend alone, providing a plausible explanation for Meghan to avoid a potential frosty reception.
In a statement, Prince Harry praised Birmingham for winning the bid to host the games, underlining the city’s solid connections to the armed forces community. He stated that these connections made Birmingham a strong candidate from the start, expressing confidence that the people of Birmingham would fully celebrate their respect and admiration for their veterans and service community.
Birmingham, with its profound connection to the armed forces, is home to the Queen Elizabeth Hospital, the Royal College of Defence Medicine, and the Defence Medical Rehabilitation Centre. These institutions are expected to provide strong support for the Invictus Games competitors and their families.
Veterans minister Al Carns attended the announcement event at the NEC, emphasizing the games’ importance for the local community and noting that Birmingham would attract significant attention. The minister stated that the armed forces consistently show bravery and selflessness, and the government is committed to supporting wounded, injured, and sick service members and veterans. The Invictus Games are one of many ways they provide ongoing support to those dealing with illness or injury.
Despite the excitement around the games, the unresolved security issues surrounding Harry and Meghan remain a point of contention. The legal battle over security arrangements continues, with Harry’s lawyers arguing that the decision to deny state-funded protection was unlawful and unfair. The government, on the other hand, asserts that security should be tailored and evaluated on a case-by-case basis.
The legal dispute over Harry’s security arrangements started when he and Meghan withdrew from their roles as senior working royals and relocated to the United States. They are no longer entitled to the same taxpayer-funded protection as working royals since then. Harry’s legal team has argued that this decision leaves his family vulnerable during UK visits. In a recent statement, Harry voiced his concerns, saying, “All it takes is one lone actor, one person who reads this stuff, to act on what they have read… whether that is a knife or acid … they are genuine concerns for me.”
The 2027 Invictus Games will introduce new sports, including pickleball, laser run, and esports. The event will be held at the NEC in July, attracting competitors and spectators from around the globe.
