Royal Family's lack of support for Prince Harry's Invictus Games branded 'petty'

14 March 2024 , 11:34

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Royal family lack of Invictus support for Prince Harry looks 'mean spirited and petty'

Prince Harry is set to be hurt again as the royal family's lack of support for the Invictus Games is branded as 'mean spirited and petty'.

The Games, which began in 2014, will celebrate their 10th anniversary this year with a celebration in London in May. Yet the lack of support from the Royal Family has been noted previously by those taking part and could be set to be an issue again. At the 2023 games in Germany, there were no senior royals present or showing support, leaving Harry and Meghan to champion the games alone.

At the inaugural Games in London in 2014, King Charles, Queen Camilla and Prince William all turned out for the opening ceremony. And memorably the late Queen appeared in an unforgettable video alongside Harry to promote the 2016 event. Yet it appears that since Harry and Meghan's decision to step back from royal life in 2020, the Royal Family's public support for the Invictus Games has waned .

READ MORE: Prince Harry and William to reunite for award ceremony honouring mum Diana

Lack of support from the royal family for the Invictus Games and Prince Harry has been labelled as 'mean spirited and petty'

Athletes and veterans competing in the event last year for injured servicemen and women have previously expressed frustration to The Telegraph that there has been little acknowledgement of them, especially in comparison to events such as the Highland Games in Scotland.

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An anonymous UK media strategist told the outlet: "It's ironic Buckingham Palace has had more to say about the Highland Games than the Invictus Games, despite the honorary military roles they hold. In doing so, the palace ends up looking mean-spirited and petty. The ill will against Harry should not be held against the Invictus competitors."

The Mirror has approached Kensington Palace and The Sussexes for comment on this story.

Prince Harry and Meghan Markle have seen support for the Invictus Games fade since 2020 compared to previous years where the royal family showed their support (Getty Images)

The comments come ahead of Harry and William reuniting tonight to honour their beloved mother. The Prince of Wales is expected at the Diana Legacy Awards ceremony, introduced in 2017 to celebrate the life of the late princess on the 20th anniversary of her death. The heir will attend at the Science Museum in person where he will give a speech. Winners of the awards, handed out to people aged between nine and 25 who improve others’ lives, will also get to meet his brother who will join via a separate video call.

Last year the princes did not speak the other's name while recording separate video messages recorded more than 5,000 miles apart. Instead, their offices were forced to organise separate appearances with The Diana Award charity.

Niamh Spence