Prince Harry’s Invictus Games is reportedly at risk of being cancelled despite his best efforts to drum up support and donations. The Duke of Sussex is currently in the UK to launch the official “One Year to Go” countdown for the event, which will take place in Birmingham next July.
Speaking on the Daily Expresso podcast, host JJ Anisiobi said a source has revealed the event, which is for wounded, injured or sick military service personnel and veterans, “could get cancelled”. He explained: “Invictus is a great idea, and it started off really well. I’ll start with this… it used to be sponsorship was the main way it was funded. In recent years, and for the Birmingham games, it’s now majority by whichever country is hosting the games.”
Prince Harry is in the UK to promote next year’s event (Image: Getty)
He continued: “The UK has underwritten £26m for next year’s Invictus Games. But they will only release that money if Invictus raise enough money for them to go ahead. Currently, the UK government has given them approximately £3m of that underwritten £26m, which means Invictus have got to raise a lot of money between now and next year for the games to ahead in its entirety.
“And it doesn’t seem to be going too well. Boeing, massive, huge company, not a company short of a few bob, they pulled out… that’s one huge sponsor already out.”
The host revealed that one of the main reasons Harry was in the UK was to drum up support and donations for next year’s event. However, he has been unsuccesful so far which has cast the games into doubt.
He said: “The Birmingham contingent are actively seeking commercial partners now, running around trying to get it. The organisers have launched a sponsorship programme and they are inviting businesses to register interest.
Harry’s 2027 Invictus Games is reportedly at risk of being cancelled (Image: Getty)
“Previously you’ve have people like Jaguar and Boeing involved. Invictus is now going to local Birmingham businesses, asking them for money.”
Presenter and comedian Mark Dolan replied: “This is a nightmare on wheels. This is catastrophic. And the reason why is this is all he’s got… Invictus is Harry, Harry is Invictus.”
The prince attended the Invictus Games Foundation’s event at Chatham House, in London, on Tuesday (July 7) where he delivered a speech which praised the importance of the event. He is also set to travel to Birmingham to front events celebrating the countdown to the games.
Despite initially planning on travelling with his wife, Meghan Markle, and their children, Archie and Lilibet, Harry eventually decided to come to the UK alone due to ongoing security disputes. His arrival in London earlier this week also coincided with the High Court rejecting his privacy lawsuit against Associated Newspapers Ltd.
Prince Harry‘s team has been approached for comment.