Prince Harry hits back at bombshell new Invictus Games claims with fiery statement | Royal | News

Prince Harry has responded to some explosive new allegations about his Invictus Games initiative in an upcoming royal book. His upcoming book, Betrayal: Power, Deception and the Fight for the Future of the Royal Family, is serialized by his excerpts. Times MagazineTom Bower delves into the tense relationship between the Houses of Sussex and the Houses of Windsor.

The magazine cites internal concerns, including claims from Dominic Reid, former chairman of the Invictus Foundation, that the sport and competitors were being overshadowed and the Games were becoming a “Harry and Meghan show”. He also cites poor attendance at the events and alleges crowded “stuffing” for the cameras, as well as claiming that contestants and families were overshadowed by tightly managed photo opportunities.

A spokesperson for the Invictus Games Foundation said: “It is disappointing to see The Times prioritize commentary driven by a long-established agenda over a true understanding of the Invictus Games and the community it supports.

“The Foundation exists to support the recovery and rehabilitation of wounded, wounded and sick service personnel and veterans from around the world.

“Attempting to question the legitimacy of competitors or diminish the experiences of those living with both physical injuries and invisible wounds such as PTSD is a profound disrespect for the men and women for whom the Games were created.

“The focus must remain where it belongs: on the courage, recovery and friendship of those who serve.”

The Invictus Games is a passion project of Prince Harry and was first launched in 2014 with the aim of helping wounded, wounded and ill military personnel, both serving and veterans, both physically and mentally.

In the book, Mr Bower makes some explosive claims about how Meghan wants to use Prince Harry’s Invictus Games platform as “a global stage for the genuine adoration and cheering of fans”.

She writes: “Meghan needed a global stage for true adoration and fan cheer. Luckily, Harry agreed that she could take part in the Invictus Games, which he was about to open in Canada. He alerted his Instagram followers just before flying to Vancouver on a private jet.”

He told how Harry and Meghan “insisted” on being addressed as “Ma’am and Sir” and claimed organizers saw them as “offensive”.

He claimed Games Chief Executive Nick Booth was “parachuted into office” following the sacking of two Canadian executives who were “angry” at Harry and Meghan.

Mr Bower writes: “Booth was classified as a sycophant by the sacked executives. As Harry’s doorman, Booth used the prince as a ‘charming presence’, aka a fundraiser to get more money, manipulate TV coverage and direct media focus towards Harry and Meghan’s glamor.”

He claims departing executives found Meghan “a distraction for injured veterans” and claims one of them said: “She’s a gem, not a rehab. Harry can’t decide whether Invictus should be designed for the Olympics or a more intimate warrior’s game that embraces the military family.”

Managers allegedly warned that the contest would “once again be ignored by the media following the star-studded opening pop concert at BC Place stadium.”

Mr Bower claimed: “Their criticism was echoed by Dominic Reid, the long-serving chairman of the Invictus Foundation. Reid admitted past coverage was ‘disappointing’.”

“He acknowledged that the media had completely ignored the competitive aspect of the event. Reid accused Invictus leaders of allowing the games to become the Harry and Meghan show. But Nick Booth did not seem concerned with Harry’s encouragement. Booth was focused on the opening ceremony to attract global attention.”