He also watched the sitting volleyball finals from the stands. It was his first appearance since his recent presence in the UK for his unlawful information gathering case against Mirror Group Newspapers.
"Thank you, hashtag Duke of Sussex Prince Harry, for all you do to help our wounded, ill, and injured service members," wrote the U.S. Army Recovery Care Program on Instagram. However, the prince was met with boos from veterans as he made a speech at the 2023 Warrior Games closing. "My spirit is renewed, so thank you every single one of you," Harry remarked to the crowds before receiving loud applause.
Many fans and veterans expressed their discontent with Harry speaking at the Warrior Games closing. The U.S. Army ARCP posted a tweet with a photo of Prince Harry, saying, "Thank you, Duke of Sussex Prince Harry, for all you do to help our wounded, ill, and injured service members." The post sparked outrage on Twitter, with people criticizing Harry's presence. Angry tweets questioned the appropriateness of Harry, a British prince, standing on a podium and telling Americans what to think or feel.
Critics highlighted Harry's alleged drug abuse, the investigation into his American visa application by Homeland Security, and his disclosure of his kill count in his book. They voiced concerns about a foreign prince interfering in American laws and military organizations. Some commenters expressed disappointment that Harry, as a mentally ill and intellectually deficient foreign prince, was given a platform to speak to American veterans.
The comments heavily criticized both Harry and the decision to allow him to speak at the military event. Some believed it was a PR stunt to prevent his deportation, while others argued that a foreign Duke had no business presenting himself as worthy of speaking to American veterans. The backlash highlighted the potential consequences of Harry's decision to speak at a military event, as it risked upsetting and disrespecting the service members and veterans.
The Warrior Games, now in its 13th year, is an annual event that celebrates the indomitable spirit of wounded, ill, and injured active duty and veteran U.S. military service members from all branches. The event shares similarities with Prince Harry's Invictus Games, which he established in 2014. Like the Warrior Games, the Invictus Games provide a platform for wounded servicemen and women to compete against other nations in various events.
The next Invictus Games are scheduled to take place in September, following cancellations in 2020 and 2021 due to the pandemic. In April 2022, Meghan and Harry attended the Invictus Games in the Netherlands. The event marked their third appearance together at the games.
