Prince Harry‘s Invictus Games could face an uncertain future, with royal commentator Mr Mark Dolan claiming next year’s Birmingham event could be the last edition of the competition.
Speaking on the latest Daily Expresso podcast episode, Mr Dolan said Harry’s recent fundraising efforts had brought in around $2.2 million (£1.7million), but questioned whether that would be enough to secure the Games’ future. “Well, it isn’t, and it’s entirely possible that next year, Birmingham 2027 could be the last Invictus Games,” Mr Dolan said.
Mr Dolan said he did not want the event to disappear because of the people who compete in it, praising injured Servicemen and women who have returned from military service and taken part despite physical injuries, lost limbs and PTSD.
“Invictus is a good cause, and the people involved are the best of us,” he said.
But he argued that the cost of staging the Games presented a significant challenge, claiming it costs more than $100,000 (£74,750) per participant to organise.
“It’s very expensive to put on,” Mr Dolan said, before questioning whether money spent staging the event could instead be directed towards practical support for veterans, such as mobility vehicles or accessible housing.
He acknowledged Harry’s fundraising achievement but argued it remained relatively small compared with the money previously associated with Invictus.
“Well done for raising 1.7, 1.8 million pounds, two point something or other million dollars,” Mr Dolan said. “That’s a great achievement. But it is a drop in the ocean compared to the kind of money that was floating around Invictus in Canada, in Vancouver, for the last Games.”
Mr Dolan also claimed sponsorship had become an issue, linking this to the controversy surrounding Harry and Meghan. He argued that the couple’s public profile could make potential sponsors more cautious about associating themselves with Invictus.
“Harry is Invictus. Invictus is Harry,” Mr Dolan said during the episode, arguing that the organisation had become closely tied to the Duke’s public identity.
He went further, saying: “If you think about his brand, it’s essentially dependent on Invictus.”
Mr Dolan suggested there could be another outcome if the funding problems continue, claiming there was pressure within Invictus to remove Harry as the organisation’s face.
“Either Birmingham next year is the last Invictus, right? Or Harry is turfed out,” he said.
He then suggested potential replacements could include Mike Tindall or David Beckham, although those were Mr Dolan’s suggestions rather than announced plans for the organisation.
Mr Dolan also discussed Harry’s hopes for the 2027 Games, including the possibility that his father would attend. He said Harry had identified Invictus 2027 as what he was most excited about when asked about his future plans.
“That is probably the greatest moment for Harry’s brand,” Mr Dolan said of the possibility of King Charles attending.
Later in the episode, Mr Dolan returned to Harry’s recent fundraising appearance, saying he found it notable that Harry had identified Invictus 2027 as his next major event.
“Are you telling me that the next big thing that he’s looking forward to is the best part of a year away?” Mr Dolan asked.
The Birmingham Games are currently the focus of Harry’s plans for 2027, but Mr Dolan’s comments raise the possibility of a major crossroads for the competition, either through funding pressures or a change in Harry’s role. The episode itself does not establish that Birmingham 2027 will definitely be the final Invictus Games.
Andy Burnham urged to set up ‘war register’ of civilian volunteers as WW3 fears explode
Andy Burnham has been urged to establish a civilian volunteer register in case Britain comes under attack.
Andy Burnham has been urged to establish an emergency register (Image: Getty)
Andy Burnham has been urged to establish an emergency register of civilian volunteers who could be called upon if Britain comes under attack. The Liberal Democrats have called for the creation of a formal network of civilians willing to assist in the event of a major emergency or attack on the UK. The party’s defence spokesperson said the UK “urgently” needed this network and also called on politicians to be “more direct” with the public concerning the dangers facing the UK.
The proposed register would allow people to voluntarily put their names forward to help during a crisis. A Liberal Democrat spokesperson said: “Countries like Finland and others already have these kind of registers out there, and I think it’s something a lot of people would be very willing to sign up to if we gave them the option.” The proposal comes as NATO continues to strengthen its defences along its eastern flank, while senior European figures have warned that Russia‘s increasingly confrontational actions could create further risks for NATO members.
The spokesperson said other countries have these kind of registers (Image: Getty)
The Liberal Democrats have also argued for the creation of a new position of Civilian Readiness Secretary saying the UK should do more to organise non-military resources before a crisis develops.
The proposal comes against a backdrop of heightened concern across Europe about Russia’s actions. NATO says Russia’s war against Ukraine and hostile activities affecting Allied countries have changed Europe’s security environment.
French President Emmanuel Macron has also warned that the threat of attacks by Russia against Europe and France has intensified.
Macron said last week: “In recent weeks, the threat — particularly the Russian hybrid threat — facing Europeans and France has intensified.”