Prince Harry is due to return to the UK in May for an Invictus Games service, as the Government has launched a £26 million bid to host the event in Birmingham in 2027.
The Duke of Sussex will return to British soil in May to attend a service at St Paul’s Cathedral in London to mark the 10th anniversary of the Invictus Games, just weeks after making a 24-hour visit following his cancer diagnosis. father.
Harry, 39, opened the games in March 2014 at London’s Copper Box stadium and was able to see them held again in the UK after the Government launched a £26m bid to host the event.
A source claimed that Harry “feels comfortable returning to the British-based Invictus Games,” according to the Expressindicating that the Duke of Sussex would also attend after making several appearances at last year’s games in Germany.
The source added: “We understand that the Games have always had the support of the rest of the Royal Family.”
Prince Harry will return to the UK in May for an Invictus Games service, as the government launched a £26 million bid to host the event in Birmingham in 2027.
Prince Harry was emotional when giving the closing speech at the Invictus Games 2023
The Duke of Sussex watches the wheelchair rugby final at the Merkur Spiel-Arena during the Invictus Games in Dusseldorf, Germany, last year.
Rt Hon Johnny Mercer, Minister for Veterans Affairs, has been campaigning to host the Games in the UK again and today shared the “fantastic news” about the Government-backed bid.
Mercer, who was flown to Birmingham for treatment after being wounded in Afghanistan, said he wants “this “To be the best country in the world, to be a veteran, I want us to become world leaders in recovering from conflict.”
He added: “There is no greater institution in this country that has done that than the Invictus Games.” I want to work hard now to make a truly world-class bid to bring these games back to the UK and have a recovery festival around that event.
“I want us to lead the world when it comes to caring for veterans and this gives us a very good hook to make sure that’s the case.”
He previously told Times: ‘It seems like the right time and place. The greatest power of recovery has always been in sport, it has always been in Invictus and the Duke of Sussex led the way when he organized these Games ten years ago.
“Returning to the UK seems like a natural return to circle and we will do everything we can to win the bid.”
Prince Harry will announce where the games will be held in 2027 later this year. The anniversary event in May which he will attend is not linked to the UK’s bid for the games.
A supporter of Birmingham’s bid told the Times that “this could provide a timeline for the duke and the rest of the royal family to find a way to come together in support of a worthwhile cause.”
Richard Potter, veteran and member of the British team at the Invictus Games, said of the importance of the games: “I think it cannot be understated how important the games have been to my journey.”
“And at the risk of getting emotional, I won’t say too much, but, you know, I started this journey in a very dark place, and here I am.”
This comes after Prince Harry lost a High Court challenge against Home Office over the decision to downgrade his taxpayer-funded personal security when he visits Britain, his spokesman said last week.
The Duke of Sussex took legal action over the move by the Executive Committee for the Protection of Royalty and Public Figures (Ravec) after he was told he would no longer receive the “same degree” of publicly funded protection when in office. United Kingdom, which would include any visits related to Invictus Games.
The Duke and Duchess of Sussex with Veterans Affairs Minister Johnny Mercer watch the sitting volleyball final at the Merkur Spiel-Arena during the Invictus Games in Dusseldorf, Germany, on September 15.
Rt Hon Johnny Mercer (pictured), Minister for Veterans Affairs, has been campaigning to host the Games here again and today shared the “fantastic news” about the Government-backed bid.
His lawyers had claimed that he was “singled out” and treated “less favorably” in the February 2020 decision by the body, which falls under the jurisdiction of the Ministry of the Interior.
But at a hearing in London in December, the Government insisted that Harry, 39,’s claim should be dismissed, arguing that Ravec was entitled to conclude that the duke’s protection should be “tailor-made” and considered ” case by case”.
Two months later, retired High Court judge Sir Peter Lane has ruled on the case this morning, saying: “The application for judicial review is refused.”
But a spokesman for Harry said he would appeal, adding that he was “not asking for preferential treatment, but rather a fair and legal application of Ravec’s own rules.”
Last month, Harry was in Canada for Vancouver Whistler 2025’s One Year to Go celebrations, which aimed to raise awareness of the Invictus 2025 Games, which will take place between February 8 and 16 next year.
While in Canada, the Duke of Sussex spoke with Good Morning America reporter Will Reeve about King Charles’ shocking cancer diagnosis, his life with his family in California, and his thoughts on becoming a U.S. citizen.
The Duke of Sussex revealed he was “grateful” to have seen his father Charles III in person during a brief 24-hour visit to the UK and hopes the diagnosis can have a “reunifying effect” on the Royal Family.
Reeve, son of the late Superman actor Christopher Reeve, who was paralyzed in 1995, said: “I have also found in my own life that one type of illness in the family can have a galvanizing or reunifying effect for a family.” Is that possible in this case?
The Duke of Sussex during interview in Whistler with ABC correspondent Will Reeve
Prince Harry was seen alongside American TV host Will Reeve in Whistler on February 14.
Meghan was bundled up and sported a navy blue hat as she smiled at Harry.
Harry replied: ‘Absolutely. If I’m sure. In all these families I see day by day, once again, the strength of the family unit coming together.
‘I believe that any illness unites families. “I see it again and again and that makes me very happy.”
When asked how he had “processed the fact that there is so much going on with your family and where you come from,” Harry said, “I have my own family, like all of us, right? My family and my life in California are like are.’
But the Duke of Sussex has already promised he would return to Britain soon, saying: “I have other trips planned which would take me through the UK or back to the UK.” I’ll stop by and see my family as much as I can.’
During his brief visit to the UK last month following the King’s shocking cancer diagnosis, which was discovered by doctors when the monarch was being treated for an enlarged prostate, but his specific diagnosis is unknown.
Harry flew to London on a 10-hour British Airways commercial flight from Los Angeles to Heathrow on February 6, arriving at the royal residence at 2:42 p.m.
He then spent around 45 minutes chatting with his father, in what is believed to have been their first formal meeting in 15 months, before the King and Camilla were driven to Buckingham Palace, where a helicopter was waiting to take them back to Sandringham. in Norfolk.
The duke is not believed to have seen his brother William or sister-in-law Kate Middleton, who is recovering from abdominal surgery and is on extended leave.