The primary reason cited for this sponsorship withdrawal is Disney's disagreement with Meghan Markle's involvement in the event, particularly her role in the closing ceremony. According to Disney, Meghan's contribution to the event doesn't align with her level of involvement. Moreover, Disney expressed concerns that Meghan's personal image was negatively impacting the brand of the Invictus Games, evident in the considerable number of dislikes on the Invictus trailer associated with her.
In September, Meghan Markle is set to join Prince Harry at the Invictus Games in Dusseldorf. During this event, she will assume a significant role, presenting the farewell show for families and competitors at the end of the two-week event. This role is expected to be emotionally charged. Prince Harry, on the other hand, will be delivering the closing speech.
It remains uncertain whether Prince Harry and Meghan will visit the UK during their time in Europe or if they will bring their children, Archie and their younger child, with them.
Prince Harry founded the Invictus Games in 2014, inspired by the Warrior Games in Colorado that he attended the year before. However, this recent sponsorship withdrawal suggests dissatisfaction among major investors due to Meghan's involvement, fearing it could harm the charity event's image.
Before this development, Prince Harry was seen attending the 2016 Invictus Games held at Walt Disney World Resort's ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex in Florida. The games are an annual paralympic-style competition for wounded and ill military servicemen and women. During this visit, Prince Harry engaged with competitors, watched volleyball matches, and interacted with children.
This recent decision by Disney to distance itself from Prince Harry comes after his revelations about his involvement in combat while serving in Afghanistan, which generated negative publicity and backlash from veterans and military leaders. Public relations experts have cautioned that these revelations could harm his public image and the reputation of the Invictus Games.
