Prince Harry’s Invictus Games “could get cancelled” despite the royal’s best efforts to raise support and money for the biennial event during his five-day visit to the United Kingdom.
The Duke of Sussex is currently in the UK to celebrate the one-year countdown to the 2027 Invictus Games in Birmingham, which will feature multiple sporting events for wounded, injured and sick military service personnel.
However, a royal expert has raised concerns about Harry’s passion project, claiming a source has come forward with a concerning prediction.
“Invictus is a great idea, and it started off really well,” Daily Expresso host JJ Anisiobi began, however it “could get cancelled” as it struggles to secure the funding needed to stay afloat.
“It used to be [that] 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,” he added.
According to the host, the UK has underwritten £26 million ($50 million) for next year’s Invictus Games in Birmingham, but will only release that money if Invictus raises enough money for them to go ahead.
“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,” he added.
According to Anisiobi, one of the main reasons Harry is currently in the UK is to drum up support and donations, however he has allegedly been struggling.
“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.
“Previously you’ve [had] people like Jaguar and Boeing involved. Invictus is now going to local Birmingham businesses, asking them for money.”
Speculation regarding Invictus Games potentially getting the axe was echoed by American journalist Paula Froelich on her Uncensored podcast.
“There is a chance that the Games will be postponed. If they are postponed, the Games will be cancelled. If they are cancelled, it is over,” she said, after receiving information from a well-placed source.
“He is in London and England to meet up with corporate leaders and basically beg for cash,” she added.
Prince Harry attended the Invictus Games Foundation’s event at London’s Chatham House on Tuesday, where he stressed the importance of the event in a moving speech, and is set to ring in the one year to go celebration in Birmingham on Friday.
The royal’s wife, Meghan Markle, will travel to the UK with her children, Prince Archie and Princess Lilibet, to join her husband, but will no longer attend any public events alongside the Prince.
After a week of mixed reports, it was revealed that the Duchess of Sussex will fly to the UK this week but has pulled out of the Invictus Games event in Birmingham.
‘ The preceding article may include information circulated by third parties ’
‘ Some details of this article were extracted from the following source www.skynews.com.au ’
