Prince Harry is facing calls to step back from his role with the Invictus Games over “worrying” developments, a source has claimed.
The Duke of Sussex founded the sporting competition in 2014 and last year celebrated its 10th anniversary with an event at St Paul’s Cathedral in London.
Prince Harry and Meghan Markle flew to Canada in February this year to support the first ever winter edition of the games.
The next Invictus Games will be hosted in Birmingham, UK in 2027 with Prince Harry expected to attend the competition in the country of his birth.
The Duke of Sussex founded the sporting competition in 2014 and last year celebrated its 10th anniversary with an event at St Paul’s Cathedral in London.
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However, some with links to the Invictus Games feel that the Duke of Sussex should step away from his role as Patron of the organisation due to his divisive reputation in the UK.
Prince Harry stepped down as a working royal in 2020 and is no longer on speaking terms with senior members of the monarchy.
The Duke of Sussex’s popularity in the UK has also nosedived over the last five years.
A source close to the Invictus Games Foundation told the Mail: “The duke has become an increasingly divisive figure, particularly in the Armed Forces. And that is not good for Invictus.
The Duke of Sussex's popularity in the UK has plummeted over the last five years.
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“We are all about bringing people together and inspiring those who have suffered hardship.
“Now, Invictus is firmly established, it might be better if the duke took a step back.”
They added: “It is worrying that such a worthy event seems to be used for PR [public relations] purposes.
“Normally, senior members of the Royal Family would want to attend. It goes without saying that they support the Forces to the hilt, so it would be unfortunate if they felt unable to because of Harry’s presence.”
Prince Harry stepped down as a working royal in 2020 and is no longer on speaking terms with senior members of the monarchy.
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A source close to the Royal Family said: “If Harry were to resign as patron of Invictus, I’m sure they would have no trouble finding a new royal patron.”
Rob Owen, chief executive of the Invictus Games Foundation, said regarding Prince Harry: “We are proud to have the Duke of Sussex as the patron and founder.
“The Invictus movement stems from his ideas and his passion for the international community of wounded, injured and sick service personnel and veterans, borne out of his military service experience, and his understanding of the power of sport to change lives and save lives.
“The spotlight he brings to the community, and to our work, has changed the perceptions of mental health, of military personnel, and of disability worldwide.”