For the past decade, Prince Harry has championed the Invictus Games, celebrating thousands of wounded veterans. For the last seven years, he has done so alongside his wife, Meghan Markle.
Launched in 2014 to support veterans after the Iraq and Afghanistan conflicts, the Games now host 23 nations over nine days with 11 sports. Since stepping back as working royals, Harry and Meghan have built a deep connection with competitors and their families, which was evident at the 2025 Games.
During the Games held in Vancouver and Whistler, Harry was approachable and engaged with everyone he met. Despite having bodyguards and staff around him, he made attendees feel at ease, whether they were introducing service dogs, sharing stories, or asking for selfies.
Team UK competitor Jules Bail, who served as a flight nurse in the RAF and now deals with PTSD and a traumatic brain injury, described this connection: “Harry has experienced what we’ve experienced, and that creates an unbreakable bond.” Jules shared how Meghan gave her a heartfelt hug during their first meeting, making her feel like an old friend.
Clare Price, whose husband Mac MacLaren competed for Team UK, sat with Harry during wheelchair rugby and sitting volleyball. She playfully teased him for remaining neutral during a match between Team UK and Team Nigeria. Mac credited Harry with encouraging him to participate in the Games in 2014, saying it had changed his life.
Beyond competition, the Invictus Games foster unity and support. Richie McCaw, former All Blacks rugby captain, praised Harry for creating an environment where everyone felt seen and supported. “Harry’s passion makes every competitor feel valued,” Richie noted.
Harry’s closing speech acknowledged the ongoing need for the Games in a world still marked by trauma. “As much as we wish these Games weren’t necessary, I understand why they are still needed, perhaps more than ever,” he said. Team USA’s Ashley Christman echoed these sentiments, calling Harry a driving force behind the community and purpose the Games provide.
While Meghan returned home after five days to be with their children, Archie and Lilibet, she played an active role in the event. She attended breakfasts, took selfies, spoke with young attendees, and gifted a competitor her Montclair gloves. Harry has expressed a desire for their children to attend future Games, which could strengthen the family’s bond with the event.
The 2027 Games, set to return to the UK for the first time since 2014, may be a significant milestone. However, Harry is currently appealing a High Court decision regarding the level of security his family should receive in the UK, citing concerns for their safety. “The UK is central to the heritage of my children,” he explained in his witness statement. “I cannot put my wife in danger, nor unnecessarily put myself in harm’s way.”
Harry’s hope is to attend the 2027 Games with Meghan and their children. As he concluded his 2025 closing speech with “bring on Invictus Birmingham 2027,” it’s clear he sees the upcoming Games as another meaningful chapter in the journey of the Invictus community.
