The Duke and Duchess of Sunset, Harry and Meghan, have encountered a significant setback in their aspirations to contribute to the UK’s bid for hosting the Invictus Games in Birmingham in 2027.
Veterans Minister Johnny Mercer has made a firm decision to exclude them from the event, a move reportedly endorsed by Prime Minister Boris Johnson and King Charles.
This unexpected turn of events has left the royal couple feeling stunned and enraged, given their desire to play a pivotal role in the veteran-focused competition that Harry established back in 2014.
Mercer, a former army officer and Afghanistan War veteran, has explicitly expressed his opposition to involving Harry and Meghan in the Invictus Games initiative.
He cited their perceived lack of regard and dedication to both the armed forces and the British populace as reasons for his stance.
The Invictus Games hold special significance for Harry, serving as one of his most cherished projects and a poignant connection to the UK following his and Meghan’s departure from the Royal Family to the United States last year.
Despite securing lucrative deals with entertainment giants Netflix and Spotify, the couple has been striving to uphold their influence and relevance on the global stage, particularly in the UK.
Leveraging the Invictus Games as a platform to advocate for their causes and maintain their public presence, Harry and Meghan had also planned to mark the event’s 10th anniversary in The Hague, Netherlands, in 2022.
However, Mercer’s resolute decision has dashed their hopes, a move supported by governmental and monarchical authorities increasingly disenchanted by the couple’s recent actions and statements.
Mercer’s stance against Harry and Meghan’s involvement in the UK’s bid to host the Invictus Games in 2027, projected to incur £26 million in costs and attract participants and spectators from 20 nations, underscores his emphasis on honoring the veterans and their achievements above all else.
He has vocalized his desire for the event to spotlight the UK’s military heritage and values rather than serve as a stage for the couple’s personal narratives and brand promotion.
Expressing skepticism towards Harry and Meghan’s allegiance to the armed forces and the British populace, Mercer has adamantly opposed Meghan’s potential return to the UK, deeming her a divisive and disruptive presence responsible for inflicting harm upon the royal family and the nation.
Reacting to Mercer’s decision, Harry and Meghan have been left feeling indignant and slighted, viewing the exclusion as a snub and an act of betrayal.
Accusations of selfishness and disloyalty towards the Invictus Games and the supportive veteran community have been leveled against the couple.
Reports suggest that Harry and Meghan are contemplating legal recourse against Mercer and the government, intending to issue a statement denouncing the decision and expressing their outrage.