Prince Harry and Meghan Markle face ongoing security concerns that could impact their attendance at the 2027 Invictus Games in Birmingham, United Kingdom (UK). Harry, the Duke of Sussex, who founded the sporting competition for wounded, injured, and sick military personnel and veterans, is embroiled in a dispute with the Home Office over security arrangements for his family during visits to the UK.
In February 2024, Prince Harry, who resides in Montecito, California, lost a High Court challenge against the government regarding his right to state-funded police protection. He argued that he could not safely bring his children, Prince Archie, five, and Princess Lilibet, three, to the UK without proper security measures.
He was granted permission in May to appeal the decision. Still, if this appeal fails, Harry may be forced to attend the games alone due to fears for his family’s safety. Harry’s request to pay privately for police protection was denied, with the court ruling that wealthy individuals should not be permitted to “buy” protective security.
Prince Harry has undoubtedly warned his wife Meghan of the danger of her accompanying him without security in the UK.
Birmingham was announced as the host city for the 2027 Invictus Games, marking the first time the event will return to the UK since its inception in London in 2014. The announcement was made during a special event at the National Exhibition Centre (NEC) in Birmingham, where a flag-raising ceremony and a demonstration of wheelchair sports took place. The UK government funded the $33.28 million bid for the games, not the financially troubled Birmingham City Council.
The Invictus Games hold special significance for Harry and Meghan, as they were first publicly seen together at the 2017 games in Toronto. Meghan has attended every Invictus Games competition since then. However, ongoing security issues may prevent her from accompanying Harry to Birmingham in 2027. One royal expert remarked that Harry is likely to attend alone, which could be a convenient reason for Meghan to avoid facing a potentially cold reception.
In a statement, Prince Harry congratulated Birmingham on securing the bid to host the games and emphasized the city’s strong connections to the armed forces community. He noted that these ties made Birmingham a strong contender from the beginning and expressed confidence that the people of Birmingham would wholeheartedly celebrate the respect and admiration for their veteran and service community.
Birmingham, known for its deep connection to the armed forces, is home to the Queen Elizabeth Hospital, the Royal College of Defence Medicine, and the Defence Medical Rehabilitation Centre. These institutions are expected to support the Invictus Games competitors and their families robustly.
Veterans minister Al Carns attended the announcement event at the NEC, highlighting the games’ importance for the local community and pointing out that Birmingham would attract significant attention. The minister pointed out that our armed forces consistently demonstrate courage and selflessness in their roles, and we are committed to supporting wounded, injured, and sick service members and veterans. The Invictus Games are one of the many ways we provide ongoing support to those dealing with illness or injury.
Despite the excitement surrounding the games, Harry and Meghan’s unresolved security issues remain a point of contention. Prince Harry’s legal battle over security arrangements continues, with his lawyers arguing that the decision to deny state-funded protection was unlawful and unfair. The government, however, maintains that security should be bespoke and considered on a case-by-case basis.
The ongoing legal dispute over Harry’s security arrangements began after he and Meghan stepped back from their roles as senior working royals and moved to the United States. Since then, they have not been entitled to the same taxpayer-funded protection as working royals. Harry’s legal team has argued that this decision leaves his family vulnerable when visiting the UK. In a recent statement, Harry expressed his concerns: “All it takes is one lone actor, one person who read this stuff, to act on what they have read… whether that is a knife or acid … they are genuine concerns for me.”
The 2027 Invictus Games will feature new sports, including pickleball, laser run, and esports. The event will be staged at the NEC in July, drawing competitors and spectators from around the world.