A group of 50 veterans from 10 countries participating in the upcoming Invictus Games in Canada has issued a stern warning to Prince Harry and Meghan Markle, urging them to steer clear of the event.
The veterans accused the couple of exploiting the Games for personal and financial gain, betraying the royal family, and tarnishing the military community.
The scathing letter, which was leaked to the media, expressed deep disappointment and disgust at the couple’s actions and statements following their departure from royal duties to the U.S. with their children.
The letter lambasted Prince Harry and Meghan Markle for allegedly using the Invictus Games, founded by Prince Harry and Princess Catherine in 2014 as a platform to showcase wounded, injured, and sick service personnel and veterans, as a means to boost their own brand and lucrative deals with Netflix and Spotify.
The veterans were particularly incensed by the couple’s explosive interview with Oprah Winfrey, where they levied serious allegations against the royal family, including charges of racism, lack of support, and isolation, which the veterans deemed as slander against the monarchy and the British press.
Expressing a sense of betrayal and abandonment, the veterans criticized Prince Harry for allegedly straying from the values and ethos of the military that he once championed.
They emphasized that the Invictus Games should not be overshadowed by the presence of the couple, as it is a platform to honor and support veterans and their families.
The letter urged Prince Harry and Meghan Markle to respect their wishes and refrain from attending the Games scheduled for September 2024 in Toronto, after being postponed twice due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
The backlash against the couple has been swift, with public and media criticism labeling them as greedy, selfish, and hypocritical, given their opulent lifestyle juxtaposed with claims of humanitarianism and environmental activism.
Questions have been raised about their commitment to the Invictus Games, despite Prince Harry’s continued advocacy post-monarchy.
While the couple has not directly responded to the veterans’ letter, sources close to them have vehemently denied accusations of exploitation, asserting their dedication to social justice, mental health, and environmental causes through various projects and initiatives.
The controversy surrounding the letter has cast a shadow over the impending Invictus Games, set to host 500 athletes from 20 nations engaging in 12 adaptive sports.
The event aims to highlight the resilience and camaraderie of veterans and their families, offering a platform for reconciliation and healing.
Amidst the tension, hopes linger for a potential resolution between Prince Harry and the veterans, who share a profound bond and history that transcends the current discord.