Lawes was highly respected for his Olympic and Paralympic administration work in Canada. According to insiders, this decision significantly affected staff morale. A representative from the Invictus Games confirmed that Lawes had undergone a transition process and was no longer an employee but would retain his position as an ambassador. Another notable departure from the team is Bill Cooper, the former Chief Commercial Officer, who left in October. Cooper reportedly expressed his gratitude to colleagues for their support while also criticizing Invictus 2025 for his departure.
Lady C, in a recent YouTube video, made explosive allegations against Prince Harry and Meghan Markle, asserting that they had misappropriated $30 million intended for Invictus veterans. She claimed that a barrage of PR articles had been employed to divert attention away from the financial difficulties of Invictus Games.
Lady C further contended that the couple had charged the charity for various expenses, including lodging, food, and clothing. She alleged that the couple was facing reputational, financial, and professional difficulties, accusing them of orchestrating a multifaceted scandal.
Additionally, Lady C asserted that discontent had grown regarding the management of Invictus, with allegations that a substantial sum of money was diverted to Prince Harry and Meghan Markle instead of reaching the veterans. She questioned objections and collusion within the organization, emphasizing that the charity's mission was originally meant to assist veterans, not to facilitate self-promotion.
The alleged exploitation of Invictus veterans' funds by Prince Harry and Meghan Markle has prompted an ongoing investigation into the matter. It's worth noting that their desire to reintegrate into the royal family may be motivated by the protection it offers, potentially explaining their distancing from Scobey's forthcoming book, which is rumored to contain criticisms of the monarchy.
The upcoming Invictus Games, scheduled for February 2025 in Vancouver and Whistler, focusing exclusively on winter sports, are currently overshadowed by concerns about these recent developments. Staff members are worried that if the responsibility falls on Invictus 2025, the financial strain of the Sussexes' security and other expenses could detract from the intended purpose of honoring veterans.
Veteran players have expressed frustration at the alleged chaos behind the scenes of Prince Harry's passion project. The ongoing Royal Rift is said to have led to trivial and malicious behavior by certain individuals within the royal family, who seem to have disregarded the significance of the occasion.
