Prince Harry sad loss after first UK appearance post-High Court ruling | Royal | News
Prince Harry kicked off the first engagement of a five-day visit to the UK by heading to central London for an Invictus Games Foundation event at Chatham House. The Duke of Sussex arrived 25 minutes early and looked pensive as he was greeted by PR consultant Miranda Barbot and security guard Christopher Sanchez.
The special conference forms a key element of the “One Year to Go” celebrations for the Invictus Games, scheduled to take place in Birmingham in 2027. The meeting brings together members of the Invictus community, leading experts and policymakers, including UK veterans minister Calvin Bailey, to examine issues affecting injured, injured and ill service personnel and veterans who are eligible to participate in Paralympic-style competition.
The event began around the time Harry was awaiting the decision of his High Court case against ANL; He is understood to have been waiting in a reading room at Chatham House when the result was expected to be announced. The High Court announced that Harry lost his case against ANL and the judge dismissed all 97 claims made by the plaintiffs.
At the event, Lord Charles Allen, CBE, chairman of the Invictus Games Foundation, invited Harry to the stage moments after the decision was announced and thanked the audience for attending before saying “this is one of the few rooms in the UK with air conditioning!” he joked. “When I look around this room, I see people representing different nations, different governments, different militaries, different organizations and different approaches to recovery,” Harry said during his speech. “And that’s exactly as it should be.”
“No two countries are the same. No two healthcare systems are the same. No two military cultures are the same. The things that bring us together are far more important than the things that divide us.”
“Each of us believes that those who serve their country, and especially those whose lives are changed by that service, deserve more than our gratitude. They deserve the opportunity. The chance to redefine one’s Purpose and Identity. They deserve to truly feel our admiration and Respect. And they deserve every chance to build the life they choose beyond military service. That is the purpose of the Invictus Community.”
Harry concluded: “I hope you leave this conference with a deeper understanding of what the Invictus movement truly is. Not just a week of sport held every few years, but a community united by a single belief: that the unconquered human spirit exists in every nation, and that our collective responsibility is to create the conditions in which it can flourish.”
During his speech, Harry also revealed that Uganda will participate in the Invictus Games for the first time in 2027, later humorously saying he had “let the cat out of the bag” as the announcement had to remain secret until later in the event. Later this week, Harry will head to Birmingham to mark the official one-year countdown to the 2027 Invictus Games, ending his visit to the UK.
Meanwhile, just 12 miles away, Harry’s estranged brother Prince William made his own engagement by visiting Ysgol Gymraeg Llundain, also known as the London Welsh School, in Hanwell, West London.
The Prince of Wales arrived at exactly the same time as Harry’s event at Chatham House kicked off, with William joining students to extend his best wishes to Team Wales ahead of the Glasgow 2026 Commonwealth Games.
Despite the brothers being so close, it is understood they will not be together during the Duke’s time in the UK as they remain at odds.
Harry landed in the UK last night and left a few hours later to show his support for a friend at a film festival. The Duke of Sussex headed to central London where he was photographed at the ‘Shoot The People’ UK Premiere in the VIP arrival area.
The film, which is showing at Picturehouse Central, focuses on Harry’s friend Misan Harriman, head of the Southbank Centre, with whom he smiles as they pose for a photo.
Misan has shared a close bond with Harry and his wife Meghan for several years; most importantly, it takes photos of those announcing that they are expecting Lilibet in 2021. Harry touched down in the UK without Meghan Markle and their children Archie and Lilibet, just hours after his offer to stay at Buckingham Palace was withdrawn.
When the UK trip was first revealed, the Mirror reported that Harry had been offered the chance to stay at a royal residence during his time in his home country, at the King’s invitation, with Buckingham Palace among the options put forward.
The prince’s spokesman confirmed on Monday morning that Harry had accepted an offer to stay at the Palace for part of his visit. However, the Palace later announced that this would no longer be possible as accommodation was no longer available.
