Continuing security issues could hinder the participation of Prince Harry and Meghan Markle in the Invictus Games slated for 2027 in Birmingham, United Kingdom. Prince Harry, the Duke of Sussex and founder of the games, is currently mired in a disagreement with the Home Office regarding the protection of his family during their visits to the UK. The Invictus Games is a sports competition established for ill, injured, and wounded military personnel and veterans.
In 2024, Prince Harry, based in Montecito, California, failed to win a High Court case against the government over his claim to state-funded police security. He insisted that without adequate security measures, he could not safely bring his children, five-year-old Prince Archie and three-year-old Princess Lilibet, to the UK.
While he received approval to appeal the ruling in May, a failed appeal could compel Harry to attend the games solo due to safety concerns for his family. His proposal to pay for police protection privately was rejected, with the court decreeing that protective security should not be purchasable by affluent individuals.
Prince Harry has reportedly informed Meghan about the potential risks of her joining him without security in the UK.
For the first time since its London debut in 2014, the Invictus Games will return to the UK, with Birmingham announced as the 2027 host city. The announcement was made at a special event at the National Exhibition Centre (NEC) in Birmingham, featuring a flag-raising ceremony and a wheelchair sports demonstration. The bid for the games, worth around $33.28 million, was funded by the UK government and not the financially strained Birmingham City Council.
Harry and Meghan’s first public appearance as a couple was at the 2017 Invictus Games in Toronto, and Meghan has since attended every competition. However, the persistent security issues could prevent her from joining Harry at the 2027 Birmingham games. A royal expert has speculated that Harry may have to attend alone, providing Meghan with a plausible excuse to sidestep a potentially chilly reception.
In a statement, Prince Harry praised Birmingham for securing the games and highlighted the city’s strong ties to the military community. He asserted that these connections made Birmingham a front-runner from the start and expressed his belief that the people of Birmingham would honor their veteran and service community.
Birmingham, known for its strong military connections, is home to the Queen Elizabeth Hospital, the Royal College of Defence Medicine, and the Defence Medical Rehabilitation Centre. These organizations are expected to extend full support to the Invictus Games competitors and their families.
The importance of the games to the local community was highlighted by Veterans Minister Al Carns at the NEC announcement event. He also noted that Birmingham would draw substantial attention. Carns underlined the consistent bravery and selflessness of our armed forces, stressing our commitment to supporting service members and veterans who are wounded, injured, or sick. The Invictus Games are a means of providing ongoing support to those dealing with illness or injury.
Despite the enthusiasm surrounding the games, the unresolved security issues for Harry and Meghan persist. Prince Harry’s legal battle over security arrangements is ongoing, with his lawyers contending that the decision to refuse state-funded protection was illegal and inequitable. Conversely, the government asserts that security should be tailored and evaluated on an individual basis.
The legal dispute over Harry’s security arrangements began when he and Meghan relocated to the United States after stepping back from their roles as senior working royals. They have since not been entitled to the same taxpayer-funded protection as working royals. Harry’s legal team argues that this decision leaves his family vulnerable during UK visits. In a recent statement, Harry voiced 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.”
New sports, including pickleball, laser run, and esports, will be featured in the 2027 Invictus Games. The event is scheduled for July at the NEC and is expected to draw competitors and spectators from across the globe.