The Invictus Games were meant to be a powerful celebration of resilience, courage, and the indomitable spirit of wounded veterans. However, thanks to Meghan Markle and Prince Harry, the true stars of the event—the veterans—were pushed into the background while the self-absorbed royal exiles hogged the spotlight. The public’s response? Empty seats. Lots and lots of them.
Despite grand claims that 40,000 people attended the opening ceremony, footage from the event painted a much bleaker picture. Entire sections of the stadium sat eerily vacant, making it look more like a Tuesday morning gym class than an international sporting event. Even with performances from global stars like Katy Perry and Chris Martin, the crowds were embarrassingly sparse. But can you really blame people for staying away? When an event meant to honor veterans is hijacked by two fame-hungry former royals who’ve never served a day in their lives, it’s bound to leave a bad taste.
Harry took the stage, but instead of rallying support for the veterans, he decided to take a thinly veiled swipe at Donald Trump. “At this moment, when there is no shortage of crises, no absence of uncertainty, no lack of weak moral character in the world,” he said. Sound familiar? It was a not-so-subtle jab at Trump, who had recently called Meghan “terrible.” But what does this political sideshow have to do with honoring veterans? Absolutely nothing. Yet, when have Meghan and Harry ever let relevance stand in the way of their personal agenda?
Even insiders within the Invictus organization are fed up. One anonymous source put it bluntly: “They have become a distraction, overshadowing the veterans who should be at the center of it all.” And that’s the problem in a nutshell. The Invictus Games are no longer about the veterans; they’re about Meghan’s latest designer outfit and Harry’s never-ending victim narrative.
The “Meghan Effect” is real, but it’s not what her PR team wants you to believe. Instead of drawing crowds, she seems to repel them. Despite millions of dollars in taxpayer funding, fans simply didn’t show up. Maybe because they realized this event was less about honoring heroes and more about yet another Sussex PR stunt. Social media had a field day, with users pointing out the obvious: “Empty, empty, and more empty. Where are the crowds?” one user quipped. “Tickets must have cost too much. Oh wait, no one wanted them,” another joked.
While real veterans had to fund their own travel, Meghan and Harry luxuriated in a $10,000-a-night penthouse and arrived in gas-guzzling SUVs. Let’s talk numbers: Canadian taxpayers were forced to cough up $30 million for this event. And what did they get in return? Half-empty stadiums, veterans overshadowed by a royal soap opera, and Meghan’s wardrobe dominating the headlines instead of the athletes. Meanwhile, veterans who actually earned the spotlight had to pay for their own accommodations. Why honor their sacrifices when you can fund Meghan’s latest luxury outfit?
It’s clear from the dismal turnout that people are tired of the Meghan and Harry show. Many veterans and their families openly refused to attend, unwilling to participate in what they saw as a grift disguised as charity. One veteran summed it up perfectly: “I would never support an event that lets these two exploit us for their own gain. The veterans should be the focus, not them.”
And that’s the real tragedy. The Invictus Games were meant to honor true heroes. Instead, they’ve turned into a vanity project for two people who seem to care more about their image than the veterans they claim to support. The public has spoken—with their wallets, their feet, and their empty seats. Maybe it’s time for Harry and Meghan to finally take the hint: nobody is buying what they’re selling anymore.
