The move to replace Prince Harry was prompted by the belief among some organizers that his presence was drawing too much attention to himself rather than shining the spotlight on the athletes, which is the primary focus of the Invictus Games.
The Duke of Sussex, who played a pivotal role in founding the prestigious event back in 2014, is set to attend the 2023 edition of the games in Dusseldorf, Germany. He is scheduled to deliver a speech at the closing ceremony on September 16th and will be present for the entire seven days, starting on September 9th. His wife, Meghan Markle, will also be joining him but will arrive later.
However, Royal biographer Angela Levin has revealed insider information suggesting that the Invictus Games organizers are looking to distance themselves from Prince Harry due to concerns that he and Meghan Markle tend to hog the spotlight. According to Levin, some organizers feel that they are being used for publicity rather than having the focus on the athletes, which is the core mission of the Invictus Games.
Levin's statements imply that there might be a growing sentiment among some organizers and even people in Canada to stop supporting the games in the future if Prince Harry's presence continues to overshadow the participants. Despite the incredible positive impact the games have had on wounded, injured, and sick veterans, some are now reportedly questioning their association with Prince Harry and Meghan Markle.
Before heading to Germany, Prince Harry is expected to visit London to attend the WellChild Awards on September 7th, where he will be involved in presenting awards. However, Meghan will not be accompanying him, citing prior commitments related to their children, Archie and Lilibet.
Levin also remarked that Meghan's presence at such events can sometimes be off-putting to representatives of the Invictus Games. She claimed that Meghan chooses to stay away from the UK because she is aware that she is not well-liked there and feels anxious when she is not in control of a situation. Consequently, she has opted to arrive later during the Invictus Games rather than attending from the outset.
