Prince Harry's latest announcement sparks furious backlash in Birmingham

Harry and Meghan with Invictus athletes/Birmingham council hall/rubbish in Birmingham/Prince Harry

Harry's Invictus announcement sits before an uneasy financial backdrop for Birmingham and its council

PA
James Saunders

By James Saunders


Published: 24/07/2024

- 10:58

'I think he's clinging on to the Invictus Games now because it's the last thing he has left,' lamented one local

Prince Harry has been slammed by some furious locals after announcing the 2027 Invictus Games will be held in Birmingham.

The Duke of Sussex had praised the city as "formidable" and talked up its Armed Forces ties when it was selected to host the Games - pipping Washington DC to the post.


Harry had said: "We have no doubt the people of Birmingham will join in celebrating the unwavering respect and admiration we have for our veteran and service community, showing the world how their courage ignites hope and unites us all - something your city knows well."

And despite a generally positive reception to the news, some residents have reacted with scorn - not least in light of a taxpayer-funded £26million bid for the event amid a staggering £300million budget cuts drive after Birmingham City Council went bankrupt.

Prince Harry presents a Invictus Games medal to the United Kingdom's Mark Ormrod after he won sliver in Toronto 2017

The Invictus Games will return to the UK for the first time since their first edition in 2014

PA

One resident, 36-year-old Charlotte Bell, said she harboured concerns over public finances with libraries forced to close throughout the UK's Second City.

She said: "I just hope the council isn't going to start ploughing money into improving the facade of Birmingham, making it look nice, when that money could be used to save our libraries and support services," speaking to the Mail.

While others took aim at the Duke and Duchess of Sussex directly; despite noting the event would "bring in lots of money", 70-year-old Margaret said: "The less said about them, the better."

And in a scathing lament of Harry's fortunes since his controversial departure from his duties as a working royal, another resident claimed the Games were "the last thing he [the Duke of Sussex] has left".

READ MORE ON PRINCE HARRY:

Meghan and Harry at the Invictus Games

70-year-old Margaret said "the less said about the Sussexes, the better"

PA
The Duke of Sussex speaking during the closing ceremony of the Invictus Games in Dusseldorf, Germany

The Duke of Sussex speaking during the closing ceremony of the 2023 Invictus Games in Dusseldorf, Germany

PA

Steven Dawes, 67, said: "I'm a royalist, but I think he's burnt his bridges. I think he's clinging on to the Invictus Games now because it's the last thing he has left.

"It's a shame, really. He will rue the day he left the Royal Family."

And one more local, 72-year-old Steve Winchurch from nearby Dudley, jabbed: "I like Prince Harry and I think he's a good bloke. I'm not sure about his missus, though. I think he's done a good job. I'm glad we got the Invictus Games, in the end."

The next Invictus Games will be held in Vancouver, Canada, in 2025 before the event takes place in Birmingham in 2027.

Birmingham City CouncilBirmingham City Council declared itself bankrupt last yearGetty

But Helen Helliwell, CEO of the Invictus Games Birmingham 2027, spoke of her pride at bringing Harry's landmark military sporting event to the city, just five years after it hosted the Commonwealth Games.

Helliwell said: "I am honoured our bid has been selected, bringing the Invictus Games back to the UK.

"At NEC Birmingham, we’ll host the most cohesive, sustainable event in Invictus Games history with all sports, ceremonies, and accommodation on one fantastic site.

"Beyond the Games, our legacy programs will benefit communities nationwide, from adaptive sports to arts and employment."

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