What adds to the intrigue is that Booth's appointment came just a fortnight after Prince Harry and Meghan Markle made an unannounced appearance in Vancouver, attending an ice hockey game alongside local dignitaries. Coincidence? Probably not. The seismic waves within the Invictus Games organization were caused by the abrupt departures of two senior executives, CEO Peter Lawless and Chief Commercial Officer Bill Cooper. Their exits from the organization were far from quiet farewells and left many within the Invictus community shocked and disheartened.
With the ship already taking on water, Booth's appointment as interim CEO has thrown another curveball into the mix, leaving staff even more demoralized. For those not familiar with Booth's background, he has been instrumental in Prince Harry's journey with the Invictus Games, playing a significant role in its inception alongside Harry. Now, Booth faces the daunting task of overseeing the 2025 games with just a little over a year to go.
However, his appointment hasn't provided the much-needed morale boost among Vancouver and Whistler staff, who are now grappling with rock-bottom morale, according to an insider. Morale has sunk to an all-time low, exacerbated by the sudden departure of their beloved bosses. Despite Booth's past work with the Royal Foundation and his apparently close relationship with Prince Harry, his appointment hasn't brought the optimism that was desperately needed.
The insider reveals that Booth had to make a promise to the staff, one that likely left Prince Harry and Meghan Markle less than thrilled. Booth committed to banning Meghan Markle from the 2025 Invictus Games event and urged Prince Harry to moderate his demands. He pledged to negotiate terms that would appease both sides, and this written promise, signed by Booth, has been carefully stored by the Invictus Foundation.
It's clear that while Prince Harry might make an appearance at the event, Meghan is most certainly not welcome. This move undoubtedly left Prince Harry and Meghan Markle frustrated, as their close associate made a decision that directly contradicted their desires.
A spokesperson for the Invictus Games clarified that Booth had been advising the team ever since they secured the bid for the 2025 games. This transition, they claim, was designed to ensure continuity of vision without causing disruptions to the team's ongoing efforts to bring the games to fruition. The entire team, they insist, is unwavering in its commitment to delivering a remarkable games experience in February 2025, with plans to welcome up to 550 competitors from potentially 25 nations.
Meanwhile, there is a growing movement in Canada to halt the upcoming Invictus Games. Angela Leon, a prominent figure in this pushback, claims to have spoken with individuals within the Canadian Invictus community who are eager to put an end to the event. Their reasons are clear: the event has become overwhelmingly centered on Harry and Meghan, turning what should be a celebration of courage and determination into a platform for the Sussexes to hog the spotlight.
Leon's criticism centers on the couple's apparent need to make grand appearances before the world, demonstrating their supposed compassion while simultaneously patronizing participants. She accuses them of invading the personal spaces of the competitors and manipulating the event to their advantage. There seems to be an alarming shift away from celebrating the achievements of the competitors, replaced by an overwhelming focus on the kind of "wokeness" that Meghan Markle champions.
Leon believes there is a glaring lack of respect for the participants themselves, as evidenced by Meghan's audacious attempts to discuss her family and friends as if they have any relevance to the event. Moreover, the notion of bringing their children to the games has been floated, despite having no legitimate right to be there.
If the Invictus Games are indeed losing their appeal, it may be because they have strayed far from their original purpose and have been hijacked by the Sussexes for their own self-serving agenda.
