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Prince Harry is set to host the Invictus Games for the first time in a decade, and several royal experts anticipate that Meghan Markle will make the trip to support him. According to People magazine, the Duke of Sussex’s Paralympic-style sports event will be held in Birmingham, England, in July 2027, selected over Washington, D.C. The upcoming Invictus Games will take place in February 2025 in Vancouver and Whistler, Canada.
If the Duchess of Sussex attends, it will mark her first visit to the U.K. since Queen Elizabeth II passed away in 2022.
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It’s still uncertain if Meghan Markle will travel to the U.K. for the Invictus Games in 2027. (Astrida Valigorsky/Getty Images) “There’s zero chance of Meghan missing the Invictus Games,” Christopher Andersen, author of “The King,” told Fox News Digital. “I expect she will be there briefly, but without [their children] Prince Archie and Princess Lilibet. Security concerns for Meghan and Harry are valid; however, the rest of the royal family and British courts view it differently.”
“The sentiment in the U.K. is that the Sussexes are no longer working royals, and thus not entitled to state-funded police protection,” Andersen remarked. “Harry has one last legal appeal available, but it seems unlikely to succeed.”
While many royal enthusiasts hope Meghan’s possible appearance could prompt reconciliation, royal expert Hilary Fordwich believes that reconciliation is not imminent.
Catherine, Princess of Wales, Prince William, Prince of Wales, Prince Harry, Duke of Sussex, and Meghan, Duchess of Sussex, leave Westminster Hall after paying their respects to Queen Elizabeth II, the longest-reigning monarch of England, who died in 2022. (EMILIO MORENATTI/POOL/AFP via Getty Images)
“Prince William clearly articulated his feelings about Meghan Markle, as highlighted by Harry in his memoir ‘Spare,’ before getting into a physical altercation at Kensington Palace in 2019,” Fordwich revealed to Fox News Digital. “Harry recounted that William described Meghan as ‘difficult,’ ‘rude,’ and ‘abrasive’—traits that are generally viewed negatively in British society. The royal family hasn’t seen any reason to change their opinions on Meghan Markle.”
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Harry’s relationship with his family has been fraught, seeing little of his father, King Charles III, since he and Meghan stepped back from royal duties in 2020 to move to California. At that time, they cited the intrusive nature of the British press and racist attitudes as significant factors in their decision to exit their senior royal roles.
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Prince Harry’s memoir “Spare” was released in January 2023. (JUSTIN TALLIS/AFP via Getty Images) Harry has elaborated on his challenging relationship with his family through various interviews, a documentary, and his memoir.
“It appears the Games may be overshadowed by the ongoing royal discord, especially with other royals likely not in attendance,” royal expert Richard Fitzwilliams shared with Fox News Digital. “While there’s always a chance for increased harmony by 2027, I wouldn’t hold my breath!“
When Prince Harry established the Invictus Games, he received support from his father, then Prince Charles, and his brother, Prince William. (Max Mumby/Indigo/Getty Images)
“For a considerable time, Meghan has faced significant unpopularity in Britain,” Fitzwilliams noted. “Additionally, the resolution may hinge on security concerns, as Harry is set to appeal against the ruling to revoke the police protection he and his family enjoyed as senior working royals.”
The Duke and Duchess of Sussex expressed their grievances in the Netflix docuseries “Harry & Meghan,” which premiered in December 2022. (Jonathan Brady/PA Images via Getty Images)
“If he wins, they both could attend,” Fitzwilliams added. “However, their unpopularity in the U.K. has intensified, largely due to their attempts to monetize their royal status and their harsh criticisms of the royal family. Given their poor polling, it is likely Meghan may choose to stay away.”
The royals have had zero reason to change their feelings regarding Meghan Markle. — Hilary Fordwich, royal expert
Harry’s legal struggle regarding his security in the U.K. began over four years ago. The 39-year-old prince asserted that he and his family face danger during visits to his home country due to hostility directed towards him and Meghan, 42. He highlighted the relentless pursuit by the British media.
In response, a government lawyer stated that Harry had received fair treatment and still received protective services on certain occasions. The lawyer mentioned that a security detail had safeguarded the prince in June 2021 when he was pursued by photographers after visiting ill children in London.
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Prince Harry is adamant about securing his family’s protection while they are in the U.K. (Max Mumby/Indigo/Getty Images) In February, High Court Judge Peter Lane ruled that the committee’s decision, which allowed for “bespoke” security on an as-needed basis, was neither unlawful nor irrational.
The panel’s ruling was sanctioned by the Royal and VIP Executive Committee, which comprises royal staff, members of the Metropolitan Police, and various government officials.
Andersen noted that the royal family could easily address this issue, allowing the Duke and Duchess of Sussex to travel to the U.K. without complications—if they chose to do so.
Meghan, Duchess of Sussex, and Prince Harry, Duke of Sussex, embrace a competitor at the Invictus Games on April 17, 2022, in The Hague, Netherlands. (Patrick van Katwijk/Getty Images)
“Since this is a singular event and not indicative of a broader policy shift, it’s evident that accommodations could be made,” Andersen argued. “The king could rectify the issue with a simple command, granting Harry and his family royal protection or, alternatively, personally financing it.”
The world’s most affluent and influential family certainly possesses the resources to ensure the safety of Harry, Meghan, and their children while they are in town. Yet, the ongoing family strife complicates matters.
Meghan Markle, an American actress, became the Duchess of Sussex upon her marriage to Prince Harry in 2018. (Ben STANSALL – WPA Pool/Getty Images)
“Let’s hope that by 2027, when Birmingham hosts the Invictus Games, reconciliation will have occurred,” Andersen concluded. “If both sides remain entrenched in their respective positions, the likelihood of King Charles, Prince William, Kate Middleton, or any royals attending the Invictus Games—despite them being held so close to the royal family’s residence—is negligible.”
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Prince Harry initiated the Invictus Games in 2014 as a Paralympic-style competition to inspire military veterans globally as they navigate life after injuries sustained in combat. Harry himself served as a captain in the British Army.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
