Omid Scoby, a strong supporter of the Sussexes, shared this update on social media. According to Scoby, while Harry will be present throughout the games, Meghan will join him later, specifically for the closing ceremony, before returning to the United States.
A spokesperson for the Duke and Duchess of Sussex expressed their delight in attending the Invictus Games 2023 in Dusseldorf next month. Harry will be there from the outset, and Meghan will join him during the competition, culminating in both of them being present at the closing ceremony.
Subsequent to this announcement, a video from the 2022 Invictus Games in the Netherlands has gained viral attention on social media. The video appears to depict members of the public seemingly ignoring Meghan during the event. On the inaugural day of the 2022 Invictus Games, the Sussexes participated in the Jaguar Land Rover driving challenge at Sweder Park. Meghan was attired in a black tweed jacket with gold buttons by Celine, accompanied by casual jeans. While Harry was actively engaged in the competition, Meghan cheered him on from the sidelines. She was positioned near a group of five individuals, talking animatedly and gesturing, yet it appeared that no one in the group was engaging with her.
Speculation about Meghan's attendance in Germany arose, with some suggesting it was linked to the health of Prince Philip. There are various opinions regarding their motivation for attending, including the desire to maintain a united front for contractual obligations with Netflix. Meghan's presence is seen by some as an opportunity for photo opportunities, irrespective of her marital status.
Critics argue that Meghan and Harry's involvement has shifted the focus of the Invictus Games from a competition of honor, sacrifice, respect, and service among service members to a more self-promotional affair. They point to instances where Meghan's presence seemed to overshadow the veterans and the event itself, such as when Harry and Meghan held hands and appeared inseparable during the previous year's games.
Questions have also been raised about what Harry and Meghan truly bring to the Invictus Games at this stage, given that it was originally intended as a friendly competition for veterans but has increasingly become associated with the couple's public image. As a result, calls have been made to reevaluate their roles in the event, with suggestions to either remove Harry as a patron or restrict Meghan's involvement.
Some critics argue that Meghan's contribution to the games seems limited, characterized mainly by her extravagant attire, superficial charitable gestures, and speeches. They contend that her presence tends to eclipse the focus on the soldiers themselves. Harry's role in allowing this shift has been met with criticism as well.
