Adding to the intrigue was the timing of Booth's appointment, coming just two weeks after Prince Harry and Meghan Markle made an unannounced appearance in Vancouver to attend an ice hockey match, accompanied by local officials. Coincidence? Perhaps not.The turmoil within the Invictus Games organization was further fueled by the sudden departure of two senior executives, CEO Peter Laws and Commercial Director Bill Cooper. Their exit was far from discreet and left many within the Invictus community both shocked and frustrated.
With Booth taking over as interim CEO, morale among the Vancouver and Whistler staff plummeted, exacerbated by the unexpected loss of their beloved bosses. For those unfamiliar with the Booths, they played a pivotal role in Prince Harry's journey and the formation of the Invictus Games. However, Booth now faces the daunting task of overseeing the 2025 Olympics, which are just over a year away. Despite his past work with the Royal Foundation and his apparent close relationship with Prince Harry, his appointment hasn't brought the much-needed optimism.
Insiders reveal that Booth had to make a promise to the staff, and here's where it gets interesting. He pledged to ban Meghan Markle from the 2025 Invictus Games and called on Prince Harry to moderate his demands. This pledge aimed to negotiate terms that would satisfy both sides, and the written promise, signed by the Booths, has been carefully kept by the Invictus Foundation. It's clear that while Prince Harry may still make an appearance at the event, Meghan is definitely not welcome.
This move undoubtedly disappointed Prince Harry and Meghan Markle, as their close associates took a stance that directly opposed their wishes. An Invictus Games spokesperson clarified that the Booths had been considering advising the team since they won the bid to host the 2025 Olympic Games. They claim this transition is designed to ensure continuity of vision without disrupting ongoing efforts to bring the games to fruition. The entire team remains unwavering in their commitment to delivering a remarkable gaming experience by February 2025, with plans to welcome up to 550 competitors from a potential 25 countries.
Meanwhile, in Canada, there is a growing movement to postpone the upcoming Invictus Games. Angela Leon, a prominent figure in the protest, claims to have spoken to individuals in the Canadian Invictus Community who are eager to put an end to the event. Their reasons are clear: the event has shifted its focus primarily to Harry and Meghan's back-to-back appearances. What should have been a celebration of courage and determination has become a platform for the Sussexes to garner more attention.
Leon's criticism revolves around the couple's apparent need to make grand appearances to demonstrate their supposed compassion while patronizing the participants. She accuses them of invading the contestants' personal space and manipulating the event for their benefit. It appears that the emphasis has shifted from celebrating the achievements of the competitors to an excessive focus on the kind of wokeness that Meghan Markle advocates.
Leon believes there is a clear lack of respect for the participants themselves, evidenced by Meghan's bold attempt to involve her family and friends as if they had any involvement in the events. Furthermore, the idea of bringing their children to the games was raised, despite having no legal right to be there.
If the Invictus Games have indeed lost their appeal, it may be because they've strayed from their original purpose and been appropriated by the Sussexes for their own agenda.
