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Mid-February, a curious story popped up in the Times of London. Their sources claimed that Prince Harry planned to return to the UK for a visit in May, specifically to attend an Invictus Games ten-year anniversary service at St. Paul’s Cathedral. It was ten years ago that the inaugural Invictus Games were held in London, much to the dismay of Harry’s brother. Within that Times piece, “sources” dropped another interesting piece of news/gossip: the UK was making a big push to host another Invictus Games, this time in Birmingham in 2027. Johnny Mercer, the minister for veterans’ affairs and a veteran himself, is a big supporter of Invictus and Prince Harry. Mercer even attended the games in Dusseldorf last year, and I believe that Mercer is very much behind this push to bring the games back to the UK.
The Times piece also claimed that Harry was interested in Birmingham’s bid and likely to move in that direction when it came to announcing the location of the 2027 games later this year. Which I don’t believe – while Mercer’s intentions might be above-board, everyone else in Salt Island is setting a trap. They’re desperate to “force” Harry and Meghan to come back, even if it’s three years from now and just for a ten-day Invictus Games. Well, the British government is baiting the trap really well, and in their new budget, they’ve allocated £26 million in funding to a potential Birmingham games:
💥 The Government has announced funding of up to £26million to back the UK’s bid to host the Invictus Games in 2027.
This demonstrates the UK Government's commitment to stand by and support the heroic Armed Forces community, says Defence Secretary @grantshapps. @WeAreInvictus pic.twitter.com/F7zJqR0s66
— Ministry of Defence 🇬🇧 (@DefenceHQ) March 6, 2024
Again, while I buy that Mercer and many people in the British veterans/defense community have good intentions, this is still a trap. This is still the Tory government trying to lure the Sussexes into a position where they’ll be compromised or endangered. The Tories know their media handlers are desperate for all things Sussex, so this is their attempt to have Harry and Meghan served on a silver platter, plus three years of headlines about “the king bans Harry & Meghan from returning to Britain for Invictus” and “William claims sole ownership of Invictus!” All in all, I hope this heavy-handed bait is pushed aside and Harry and the Invictus team choose another country. Washington, DC has bid for the games too.
Photos courtesy of Avalon Red, Cover Images.
Prinz Harry, Herzog von Sussex Closing Ceremony, am 16.09.2023 Invictus Games Duesseldorf, vom 09.09. – 16.09.2023 in Duesseldorf/ Deutschland. Â *** Prince Harry, Duke of Sussex Closing Ceremony, on 16 09 2023 Invictus Games Duesseldorf, from 09 09 16 09 2023 in Duesseldorf Germany Â,Image: 805975065, License: Rights-managed, Restrictions: imago is entitled to issue a simple usage license at the time of provision. Personality and trademark rights as well as copyright laws regarding art-works shown must be observed. Commercial use at your own risk., Model Release: no, Credit line: IMAGO/Anke Waelischmiller/SVEN SIMON / Avalon
Prince Harry speaking during the Invictus Games opening ceremony at the Merkur Spiel-Arena.
Featuring: Prince Harry
Where: Dusseldorf, Germany
When: 09 Sep 2023
Credit: PA Images/INSTARimages
**NORTH AMERICA RIGHTS ONLY**
Prince Harry speaking during the Invictus Games opening ceremony at the Merkur Spiel-Arena.
Featuring: Prince Harry
Where: Dusseldorf, Germany
When: 09 Sep 2023
Credit: PA Images/INSTARimages
**NORTH AMERICA RIGHTS ONLY**
The Duke of Sussex, watches the track and field finals at the Merkur Spiel-Arena during the Invictus Games
Featuring: Prince Harry, Duke of Sussex
Where: Dusseldorf, Germany
When: 11 Sep 2023
Credit: PA Images/INSTARimages
**NORTH AMERICA RIGHTS ONLY**
The Duke and Duchess of Sussex at the IG25 and Team Canada Reception at the Hilton Hotel during the Invictus Games in Dusseldorf, Germany.
Featuring: Meghan Markle, Duchess of Sussex
Where: Dusseldorf, Germany
When: 15 Sep 2023
Credit: PA Images/INSTARimages
**NORTH AMERICA RIGHTS ONLY**
The Duke and Duchess of Sussex at the IG25 and Team Canada Reception at the Hilton Hotel during the Invictus Games in Dusseldorf, Germany.
Featuring: Prince Harry, Duke of Sussex and Meghan Markle, Duchess of Sussex
Where: Dusseldorf, Germany
When: 15 Sep 2023
Credit: PA Images/INSTARimages
**NORTH AMERICA RIGHTS ONLY**
The Duke and Duchess of Sussex at the sitting volleyball final at the Merkur Spiel-Arena during the Invictus Games.
Featuring: Prince Harry, Duke of Sussex, Johnny Mercer
Where: Dusseldorf, Germany
When: 15 Sep 2023
Credit: PA Images/INSTARimages
**NORTH AMERICA RIGHTS ONLY**
The Duke and Duchess of Sussex meet Ukrainian athlete Yuliia Paievska during a medal ceremony at the Invictus Games
Featuring: Prince Harry, Duke of Sussex and Meghan, Duchess of Sussex meet Ukrainian athlete Yuliia Paievska
Where: Dusseldorf, Germany
When: 15 Sep 2023
Credit: PA Images/INSTARimages
**NORTH AMERICA RIGHTS ONLY**
Closing ceremony of the Invictus Games.
Featuring: Prince Harry, Duke of Sussex, Meghan, Duchess of Sussex
Where: Dusseldorf, Germany
When: 16 Sep 2023
Credit: PA Images/INSTARimages
**NORTH AMERICA RIGHTS ONLY**
Closing ceremony of the Invictus Games.
Featuring: Prince Harry, Duke of Sussex
Where: Dusseldorf, Germany
When: 16 Sep 2023
Credit: PA Images/INSTARimages
**NORTH AMERICA RIGHTS ONLY**
Closing ceremony of the 2023 Invictus Games at the Merkur Spiel-Arena in Dusseldorf
Featuring: Prince Harry, Duke of Sussex
Where: Dusseldorf, Germany
When: 16 Sep 2023
Credit: Dutch Press Photo/Cover Images
**NOT AVAILABLE FOR PUBLICATION IN THE NETHERLANDS OR FRANCE**
Prince Harry, Duke of Sussex and Meghan Markle, Duchess of Sussex share a beer during day 6 of the Invictus Games at the Merkur Spiel-Arena in Dusseldorf
Featuring: Prince Harry, Duke of Sussex, Meghan Markle, Duchess of Sussex
Where: Dusseldorf, Germany
When: 15 Sep 2023
Credit: Dutch Press Photo/Cover Images
**NOT AVAILABLE FOR PUBLICATION IN THE NETHERLANDS OR FRANCE**
