The deep rift between Prince Harry and his family is casting a shadow over the Invictus Games, claim veterans who have been ‘caught in the royal crossfire’.
The Duke of Sussex’s time with the army in Afghanistan inspired him to launch the sporting event in 2014, but the Prince and Princess of Wales were central to its initial success.
The couple’s now-defunct foundation, which they formed with the duke, gathered sponsors and spent huge sums of money to get Invictus up and running.
Nine years ago, Harry, his father and brother stood as united as they did attended the opening ceremony and several events at the games London – but the new king and his heir have had no involvement since Harry met Meghan.
Despite Harry’s passion for Invictus, which continues to grow, officials say there are plenty of available seats at the Merkur Spiel-Arena in Dusseldorf. Some believe the involvement of the King, William and Kate would change that.
The Prince and Princess of Wales both attended the Rugby World Cup in France last week, while King Charles and Queen Camilla and other senior royals were at the Highland Games.
A Team GB insider said The Daily Telegraph: ‘The athletes think it’s bizarre, but don’t want to get caught in the royal crossfire.’
Harry whispers into his wife Meghan’s ear as they attend the Invictus Games in Dusseldorf
William, Charles and Harry attend the very first Invictus Games in London in 2014
Invictus is growing bigger every year, but veterans feel the absence of other royals
Meghan smiles at the crowd at an event last night
The Duke and Duchess of Sussex cheer on the US team as they watched basketball at the Invictus Games yesterday
At a certain point the tension becomes too much for Harry when he looks away during the game
Harry, who launched the games nine years ago, points out something to his smiling wife
The Duchess of Sussex hands out medals to the winning US wheelchair basketball team
The Duchess hugged some of the tournament’s stars
Harry and Meghan at the wheelchair basketball medal ceremony
The Duchess of Sussex was very vocal as she watched one of the events yesterday
This year’s games in Germany are the largest ever, involving 22 countries and more than 500 athletes. Harry was there from start to finish, joined in the applause, danced in the crowd and joked about drinking beer at the end of the day.
He was cheerful in the days before Meghan arrived, high-fiving children and singing Sweet Caroline.
But there is no word from his family in Britain.
Double amputee Ben McBean, who was on the same return flight from Afghanistan as Harry in 2008 and inspired the Duke to launch Invictus, said he understood both sides of the ‘rift’ between the brothers. But he added that they should have put aside their differences.
He told The Daily Telegraph: “They should have just called the boys out. It’s like when we went to Afghanistan: no one supported the war, but they supported the troops. It is the same’.
Palace sources reportedly say that members of the royal family never interfere with the professional endeavors of others, and they would not expect the Duke to do so. voice support for William’s Earthshot Prize for example.
A critic of Harry said: ‘Harry never supported any of the latest ones William‘s projects, not Earthshot when he is president of African Parks and climate change advocate… but they insist William must support Invictus. I’m so tired of this nonsense’.
The Prince and Princess of Wales both attended the Rugby World Cup in France last week
Harry and Meghan share a private moment
Harry and Meghan are now the only two royals involved in the Games. William and Kate had supported it in the past
Meghan attends the medal ceremony and presents a medal to the winning team
The Duke and Duchess of Sussex are seen during the wheelchair basketball final between the United States and France
Prince Harry speaks enthusiastically with a Team GB supporter
Meghan, Duchess of Sussex meets Nigerian athlete Glory Essien during day three of the Invictus Games
Earlier this month, King Charles attended the Highland Games with Camilla – an event that was a firm favorite of his late mother, Queen Elizabeth II.
They were joined by Anne, Princess Royal and her husband Sir Timothy Laurence at the games which have been part of Scottish culture for hundreds of years.
Critics claim the royal family’s ‘ill will’ towards Harry should not be used against the disabled veterans taking part.
The Prince and Princess of Wales played an important role in the early stages of the Invictus Games.
The Royal Foundation, shared by Prince Harry at the time, invested significant sums in the event.
Meanwhile, Harry’s brother Prince William continued his charity work in London yesterday, visiting a construction site to discuss the mental health of construction workers.
His sister-in-law Kate has also made royal visits this week and went to HMP High Down in Surrey on Tuesday to learn more about the work of an addiction charity.
King Charles III visited Tomintoul in the Cairngorms, where he was welcomed by primary school children and community stalwarts.
An anonymous British media strategist said: ‘It is ironic that Buckingham Palace has more say in the Highland Games than the Invictus Games, despite the honorary military roles they play.
“It makes the palace look mean-spirited and mean-spirited. The ill will against Harry should not be used against the Invictus competitors.”
King Charles and Queen Camilla attend the Braemar Highland Gathering on September 2
William and Camilla laugh during the opening ceremony of the Invictus Games in 2014
The Invictus Games are one of the major projects that Prince Harry has continued since his departure from the royal family.
He was given a hero’s welcome in Germany by those present at the latest edition of the competition he founded for wounded and disabled military veterans.
Harry arrived at the event, followed by dozens of excited schoolchildren who had been given time off from their studies to attend.
He has said he plans to attend as many events as possible during the weeklong competition.
On Tuesday, Meghan Markle joined the Duke at the games at the Merkur Spiel-Arena, where the pair were seen smiling and delighted as they watched numerous sporting events.
The Duchess was seen wearing a stars and stripes badge yesterday as she cheered on her home country during the wheelchair basketball match between the US and France.