Invictus Games competitors speak out on Prince Harry ahead of 2027 games
LONDON — The Prince Harry returned to the UK this week sign a year until he brings himself Invictus Games We’re returning home to Birmingham, England.
Media coverage of Harry’s trip to the UK has so far largely focused on the strange goings-on. family dynamicshis beat A high-profile case and a long-running dispute with the UK government over its safety, his work for the Invictus community has been largely overshadowed by these more controversial stories.
Advertising
But the group of people gathered on platform 16 of London’s Euston Station on Thursday morning were firmly focused on the 2027 Invictus Games, a Paralympic-style competition for injured soldiers that Harry, a former military personnel, launched a decade ago.
Jonathan Brady//PA Images via Getty Images – PHOTO: The Spirit of Invictus train is shown being unveiled by JJ Chalmers as part of the One Year Up celebrations of the Invictus Games Birmingham 2027 at Euston Station in central London on 9 July 2026.
Competitors, organizers, veterans and other members of the Invictus Community were preparing to board an Invictus-branded train from London to Birmingham to begin the official countdown to next year’s games, which will be held July 10-17, 2027.
“We want people to come to the games from all over the world in a year — especially from all over this country — and we would love for them to be on that journey,” former Invictus competitor JJ Chalmers said as he revealed the name of the coaster — “The Spirit of Invictus” — from behind the red velvet curtain.
Jonathan Brady/PA Images via Getty Images – PHOTO: The Spirit of Invictus train is shown being unveiled by JJ Chalmers at Euston Station in central London as part of the One Year Up celebrations of the Invictus Games Birmingham 2027 on 9 July 2026.
Chalmers was one of the competitors at the first Invictus Games in London in 2014 and believes it changed her life and the lives of others, telling ABC News: “This [lives] and I recorded [lives] a lot of people.”
Advertising
Harry, who quit his role as senior royal in 2020 and now lives in California, was not on the train for an engagement at a children’s hospital in Birmingham. But there was still great gratitude to him for founding and supporting this community.
Another former Invictus Games competitor, Dave Henson, told ABC News: “The platform that Harry provides personally, he’s a world-renowned person. He’s so important. He brings this huge platform.”
Henson noted that although the competition takes place every two years, the community maintains a 24/7 presence, adding, “This is driven by the Invictus Games Foundation, and ultimately this was the creation and passion of Prince Harry who made this thing happen.”
Eamonn M. McCormack/Getty Images – PHOTO: Prince Harry, Duke of Sussex, leaves the Invictus Games Foundation Speech: From Policy to Practice at Chatham House on July 7, 2026 in London.
Harry’s personal touch is what elevates this community, Team USA captain Christopher Cox told ABC News.
Advertising
“When the prince comes… he’s a friendly guy. He’ll talk to him.” [Invictus competitors]He shares the experiences of his combat experiences with those of others, and that creates an absolutely tremendous bond for these men,” Cox said.
Harry launched the first Invictus Games in 2014 after visiting the United States and participating in the Warrior Games organized annually by the Department of Defense. Today, 26 countries are competing in the Invictus Games, including the most recent country to participate, Uganda.
“The Invictus community doesn’t actually know a national flag, because it goes beyond international borders,” said British Army veteran and Invictus 2027 ambassador Jonny Ball, adding that the games bring a sense of community for competitors.
Prince Harry and Elton John lose years-long lawsuit against UK tabloid publisher
Advertising
“Sometimes recovery can be really lonely, but what Invictus gives you is that you are no longer alone,” he said. “And your family is no longer alone, because there are other families. That’s what society gives you.”
Harry, who served two tours of duty in Afghanistan, has often spoken about how important his time in the army was to him and the community it provided him with.
“He’s the same as us,” Chalmers said of the prince. “We could never be happier than we are in this community.”
Zoe Magee/ABC News – PHOTO: The “Spirit of Invictus” train departs in London on Thursday, July 9, 2026.
ABC News’ royal writer Victoria Murphy said Harry was “in his element” when he got involved with the Invictus Games.
Advertising
“This is truly her passion project, and when you talk to anyone who has participated in the Games, you really see what a difference it has made for so many people,” Murphy said. “It changes lives, and no matter what happens to Harry, whether you agree with everything he says and does or not, no one can take away the impact of Invictus from him.”
