Royal Family members are prepared to step in for Prince Harry at the Invictus Games in the UK if a new royal patron is needed, according to a source close to the monarchy.
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.
However, Prince Harry rarely returns to the country of his birth and has not been back since he lost his court appeal over his security provision in May 2025.
Following the defeat, the Duke of Sussex said he would not bring his wife and children to the UK with the current level of security provided to his family.
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.
|REUTERS
It has cast doubt over whether Meghan Markle, Prince Archie and Princess Lilibet will attend the Invictus Games in Birmingham in 2027.
An insider close to the monarchy has said that if Prince Harry also opts not to attend the sporting competition, the Royal Family will put forward a member of the Firm to replace him as Patron of the Invictus Games.
They told the Mail: “If Harry were to resign as patron of Invictus, I’m sure they would have no trouble finding a new royal patron.”
It comes as 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 rarely returns to the country of his birth and has not been back since he lost his court appeal over his security provision in May 2025.
|REUTERS
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 said: “The duke has become an increasingly divisive figure, particularly in the Armed Forces. And that is not good for Invictus.
“We are all about bringing people together and inspiring those who have suffered hardship.
The Duke of Sussex’s popularity in the UK has also nosedived over the last five years.
|REUTERS
“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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