Senior royals have been accused of disregarding British Armed Forces veterans partaking in the Invictus Games, because of the family’s ongoing spat with Prince Harry and his wife, Meghan Markle.
Athletes and veterans have voiced disappointment that Royals other than the Duke and Duchess of Sussex have made little mention of the event, which is being hosted in Germany.
According to a media strategist, the palace appears “mean-spirited and petty” as a result of this perceived snub.
“The ill will against Harry should not be held against the Invictus competitors,” said the PR expert. And former Royal Marine Ben McBean – the double-amputee Afghanistan veteran who inspired Harry to launch the games – said other Royals “should have just given the lads a shout-out”.
While RM McBean admitted to seeing “both sides” of the schism between Harry and his brother William, the Prince of Wales, he criticized the event’s lack of support for veterans. “It’s like when we went to Afghanistan, no one supported the war, but they supported the troops,” he said. It’s all the same.”
However, palace sources claim that members of the Royal family do not participate in each other’s professional endeavors.
It has been stated that Harry will not be expected to support William’s environmental crusade, the Earthshot Prize, and hence other royals have left Invictus to the Duke.
However, the circumstance is said to have irritated several of the British competitors competing in the games. They observe that prominent personalities, including senior members of the Royal family, are ready to wish individuals partaking in other international athletic events well.
According to a UK team official, although Invictus is growing every year, there may be more support at home. Especially because the Royal family had placed a strong emphasis on sports in the previous week.
William and Kate recently visited Rugby World Cup matches in France and, together with the Princess Royal, took part in Mike Tindall’s podcast, The Good, the Bad, and the Rugby.
The Prince and Princess of Wales were early supporters of the Invictus Games and were instrumental in its success. Their Royal Foundation, which was then shared with Harry, also contributed to the event.
However, the veterans taking part have observed the Royals’ perceived lack of interest. “The athletes find it bizarre but don’t want to get caught up in the royal crossfire,” a team insider said.
And, according to a media consultant who declined to be identified, the palace’s strategy to the Sussexes may be summed up as “ignore and distract.”
He said: “It’s ironic Buckingham Palace has had more to say about the Highland Games than the Invictus Games, despite the honorary military roles they hold.
“In doing so, the palace ends up looking mean-spirited and petty. The ill will against Harry should not be held against the Invictus competitors.”
The remarks came as Meghan and Harry cheered on athletes in the crowds at the Invictus Games yesterday (Wednesday, September 13), after walking hand-in-hand.
The Sussexes were seen sitting side by side clapping – and also reacting tensely to the game – as they watched wheelchair basketball with Australia supporters in Dusseldorf, Germany, on Wednesday morning.
During the morning, Harry hugged one competitor and shook hands with another. The couple walked in the Merkur Spiel-Arena holding hands, Harry in an Invictus Games polo top and pants and Meghan in a black top with white shorts and a white cardigan with gold buttons.
The Duke and Duchess of Sussex handed out awards to children on the basketball court and posed for photos with other guests.
Meghan came late to the Invictus Games on Tuesday, claiming she needed extra time to get their “little ones settled at home.”
