Latest news with #Invictus
Sky News AU
3 days ago
- Politics
- Sky News AU
Ukraine to potentially host Prince Harry's Invictus Games in 2029
News Corp Columnist Angela Mollard discusses Prince Harry's Invictus Games which has announced Ukraine is one of six countries showing ambition to host the 2029 games. 'It's hard to believe that you could hold an event like that with their ongoing geopolitical issues,' Ms Mollard told Sky News Digital Presenter Gabriella Power. 'Harry went to Ukraine just a couple of months ago and met with veterans. 'Just the notion that Ukraine may be in a space to be able to do that in four years' time is heartwarming. 'It shows why Harry's central philosophy around Invictus will have resonance for years to come.'
Sky News AU
4 days ago
- Entertainment
- Sky News AU
Prince Harry announces major Invictus update on the first day of Royal Ascot after staff changes inside Sussex media team
Prince Harry has shared a major update about his signature Invictus Games organisation on the same day as King Charles and Queen Camilla's appearance at Royal Ascot. Harry helped set up Invictus in 2014 as an Olympics-style international sporting event for injured and wounded service men and women across the globe. On Tuesday, the foundation officially announced that a record six host cities have expressed interest in hosting the 2029 edition of the games. The cities in the running include Aalborg, Denmark; Veneto Region, Italy; Abuja, Nigeria; Daejeon, South Korea; Kyiv, Ukraine; and San Diego in the United States. The addition of a Nigerian city to the list could possibly be linked to the Sussexes' highly-publicised faux 'royal tour' of the African nation last year. 'We are thrilled to have such interest, demonstrating a clear recognition of the powerful impact of hosting an Invictus Games, not only on the competitors themselves, but on those supporting, watching, and cheering on from the stands,' Invictus CEO Rob Owen said in a statement. The press release emphasising the remarkable international interest in the foundation was released and dated on the same day the royal family gathered at Royal Ascot in Berkshire. While Harry's relationship with his father King Charles and brother Prince William is at a standstill, the remaining Windsors appeared closer than ever in new photos taken at the prestigious racing event. Likely adding insult to injury, the King was seen warmly interacting with Harry's cousins, including Princess Beatrice, Zara Tindall and Peter Phillips. The big reunion also saw the Duchess of York make a grand return to the royal occasion in another sign Charles has welcomed his former sister-in-law back into the fold. Harry and his wife Meghan Markle have both been accused of intentionally timing press announcements with royal occasions, possibly to draw attention away from the monarchy. The latest timing overlap comes after reports the Sussexes have parted ways with several staffers, including their Los Angeles-based deputy press secretary, Kyle Boulia, and their U.K. press officer, Charlie Gipson. Mr Boulia and Mr Gipson were brought on by the ex-working royals last year during a major hiring blitz designed to help overall Harry and Meghan's public image.
Sky News AU
10-06-2025
- Business
- Sky News AU
Final Invictus Games report reveals Prince Harry's signature charity in the black ahead of 2027 Birmingham Games
Prince Harry has released hard financial figures for this year's Invictus Games for the first time, including major grants from the Canadian government to stage the event. Harry helped set up Invictus in 2014 as an Olympics-style international sporting event for injured and wounded service men and women across the globe. The first ever winter edition of the Invictus Games took place in Whistler and Vancouver in February this year and featured athletes from 23 different countries. On Monday, Invictus unveiled its long-awaited impact report for the Canada games which showed Harry's charity was firmly in the black. 'A Lasting Legacy, a Substantial Economic Impact and Hundreds of Lives Saved!,' the organisation announced in a statement via Instagram on Monday. 'The Invictus Games Vancouver Whistler 2025 officially closes and the final report has been released.' The post listed several hard figures designed to reflect the sustained financial health of Invictus, which arguably remains Prince Harry's most successful initiative. Among the stats, the 2025 Invictus Games included a $5.5 USD million legacy fund for the continued rehabilitation of wounded serving members and veterans in Canada. The full report, which is available via the Invictus Games Foundation website, features other information about the games, including three generous government grants. The Games overall had a $63.2 USD million balanced budget, including $15 USD million in funding from the Canadian government and a further $15 USD million in funding from the provincial government of British Columbia. According to Invictus, the charity was given a second, smaller $750,000 donation from the B.C government to provide adaptive sporting equipment. The Games generated a whopping $28.4 million USD in corporate and individual donations, likely as a direct result of Prince Harry's royal star power. Invictus also generated about $4.8 USD million in revenue from healthy ticket and merchandise sales from the event. All up, the charity managed to stage the entire event - which attracted global media interest - within the allocated budget. Meanwhile, the estimated 'economic impact' of the games on the host nation Canada was pegged at a whopping $81.1 million USD. The next edition of the Invictus Games is set to take place in 2027 in Birmingham, marking the event's return to Harry's native United Kingdom for the first time since the inaugural London games. The update comes months after the Duke of Sussex resigned from serving as patron from the charity Sentebale after the charity's chair slammed the Sussexes publicly. Founded in 2006, Sentebale was created by Prince Harry and Prince Seeiso of Lesotho to help children and adolescents struggling to come to terms with their HIV status, a cause championed by Harry's late mother Princess Diana. However, Harry, 40, issued a statement in April announcing he'd resigned from the role as the charity's patron "until further notice" amid alleged internal tensions with Dr Chandauka. Dr Chandauka has since publicly accused the Duke of Sussex of 'harassment and bullying at scale' in a bombshell interview with Sky News UK, claims the ex-working royal has denied.
Scottish Sun
08-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Scottish Sun
Prince Harry's latest stunt sends a terrible message – the King should sever him for good, says expert
Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) PRINCE Harry has reportedly considered changing his surname to Spencer, stepping away from his family's name, Mountbatten-Windsor. While reports say the Duke of Sussex was counselled against the decision by Princess Diana's brother, Earl Spencer, royal experts have claimed that it 'sends a message' to the royals. Sign up for Scottish Sun newsletter Sign up 7 Prince Harry should be cut off by King Charles after wanting to 'ditch' his Mountbatten-Windsor surname, claims a royal expert Credit: Getty 7 It was reported that Harry has reportedly considered changing his surname to Spencer, after Princess Diana Credit: AFP 7 Harry is said to have consulted Diana's brother, Earl Spencer about the idea Credit: Getty Speaking on The Sun's Royal Exclusive show, former Sun Royal Correspondent Charles Rae said: 'I think as well that this is another Harry not knowing what he wants to do. 'It was only less than a month ago that he was pleading for a reconciliation with his father and his brother. 'And the next thing we hear, and I think the story was well sourced, he wants to change the name from Mountbatten-Windsor to Spencer. 'Well, that is sending a terrible message to the royal family that he doesn't really want a reconciliation. 'He wants to be completely severed from the royal family. 'And I think the king should grant his wish. 'I think he should sever him from the royal family.' The 40-year-old asked Princess Diana's brother - Earl Spencer - for advice during a visit to the UK, it is claimed. But the Duke of Sussex was reportedly told the legal side of doing so would be too difficult. A friend of Harry's told the Mail: "They had a very amicable conversation and Spencer advised him against taking such a step." There's nothing much left of 'erratic' Harry in terms of a man, he's just watching Meghan crack on Royal correspondent Sarah Hewson added on Royal Exclusive: 'I mean, is it to send a message to the royal family? 'Is it to say, 'ok, fine, you don't want to talk to us, then we're not a part of this anymore'. 'Is it because he feels much closer to his Spencer relatives? 'They are the ones who turned up for the 10th anniversary Invictus service at St Paul's, for example. 7 If Prince Harry changed his surname, his daughter would be known as Lilibet Diana Spencer Credit: Instagram 7 On The Sun's Royal Exclusive show Charles Raw and Sarah Hewson spoke to host Bronte Coy Credit: Supplied 'There weren't any members of the royal family there. Is it to honour his mother? 'Some more cynical commentators have suggested, well, it would be very good marketing in the United States to have the Spencer name and Lilibet would then be Lilibet Diana Spencer.' SURNAME CONFUSION Harry's children go by Mountbatten-Windsor - which combines the Royal Family's name of Windsor and the Duke of Edinburgh's surname. However, Meghan Markle claimed in her Netflix show that her surname is now Sussex. The couple became the Sussexes when the late Queen gave them the titles when they married in 2018. 7 Meghan said on Netflix that her surname is Sussex Credit: Netflix Harry previously had the title Prince Henry of Wales. But on his wedding day, he became The Duke of Sussex, a title which had been vacant since 1843. Meghan was seen to firmly correct Mindy Kaling after her friend called her Markle on her Netflix show. In an episode on With Love, Meghan, the Duchess said: "It's so funny you keep saying 'Meghan Markle' – you know I'm Sussex now. "You have kids and you go, 'No, I share my name with my children'. "I didn't know how meaningful it would be to me but it just means so much to go 'This is OUR family name. Our little family name.' " Mountbatten-Windsor is the surname of descendants of the late Queen Elizabeth and Prince Philip. 7 Relations have been tense between Prince Harry and his UK family in recent years Credit: Getty Questions were raised when Harry and Meghan called their daughter a princess for the first time in 2023, when her christening was announced. The children were then officially named as prince and princess on the Royal Family's official website. Archie and Lilibet are sixth and seventh in line to the throne. Before their titles were listed as prince and princess on the royal website, they were down as Master Archie Mountbatten-Windsor and Miss Lilibet Mountbatten-Windsor. They gained the titles when King Charles became the King, as they are grandchildren of the monarch.
The Irish Sun
08-06-2025
- Entertainment
- The Irish Sun
Prince Harry's latest stunt sends a terrible message – the King should sever him for good, says expert
PRINCE Harry has reportedly considered changing his surname to Spencer, stepping away from his family's name, Mountbatten-Windsor. While reports say the Duke of Sussex was counselled against the decision by Princess Diana's brother, Earl Spencer, royal experts have claimed that it 'sends a message' to the royals. Advertisement 7 Prince Harry should be cut off by King Charles after wanting to 'ditch' his Mountbatten-Windsor surname, claims a royal expert Credit: Getty 7 It was reported that Harry has reportedly considered changing his surname to Spencer, after Princess Diana Credit: AFP 7 Harry is said to have consulted Diana's brother, Earl Spencer about the idea Credit: Getty Speaking on The Sun's Royal Exclusive show, former Sun Royal Correspondent Charles Rae said: 'I think as well that this is another Harry not knowing what he wants to do. 'It was only less than a month ago that he was pleading for a reconciliation with his father and his brother. 'And the next thing we hear, and I think the story was well sourced, he wants to change the name from Mountbatten-Windsor to Spencer. 'Well, that is sending a terrible message to the royal family that he doesn't really want a reconciliation. Advertisement More on Prince Harry 'He wants to be completely severed from the royal family. 'And I think the king should grant his wish. 'I think he should sever him from the royal family.' The 40-year-old asked Princess Diana's brother - Earl Spencer - for advice during a visit to the UK, it is claimed. Advertisement Most read in Royals Exclusive But the Duke of Sussex was reportedly told the legal side of doing so would be too difficult. A friend of Harry's told the There's nothing much left of 'erratic' Harry in terms of a man, he's just watching Meghan crack on Royal correspondent Sarah Hewson added on Royal Exclusive: 'I mean, is it to send a message to the royal family? 'Is it to say, 'ok, fine, you don't want to talk to us, then we're not a part of this anymore'. Advertisement 'Is it because he feels much closer to his Spencer relatives? 'They are the ones who turned up for the 10th anniversary Invictus service at St Paul's, for example. 7 If Prince Harry changed his surname, his daughter would be known as Lilibet Diana Spencer Credit: Instagram 7 On The Sun's Royal Exclusive show Charles Raw and Sarah Hewson spoke to host Bronte Coy Credit: Supplied Advertisement 'There weren't any members of the royal family there. Is it to honour his mother? 'Some more cynical commentators have suggested, well, it would be very good marketing in the United States to have the Spencer name and Lilibet would then be Lilibet Diana Spencer.' SURNAME CONFUSION Harry's children go by Mountbatten-Windsor - which combines the Royal Family's name of Windsor and the Duke of Edinburgh 's surname. However, Meghan Markle claimed in her Netflix show that her surname is now Sussex. Advertisement The couple became the Sussexes when the 7 Meghan said on Netflix that her surname is Sussex Credit: Netflix Harry previously had the title Prince Henry of Wales . But on his wedding day, he became The Duke of Sussex, a title which had been vacant since 1843. Meghan was seen to Advertisement In an episode on "You have kids and you go, 'No, I share my name with my children'. "I didn't know how meaningful it would be to me but it just means so much to go 'This is OUR family name. Our little family name.' " Mountbatten-Windsor is the surname of descendants of the late Queen Elizabeth and Prince Philip. Advertisement 7 Relations have been tense between Prince Harry and his UK family in recent years Credit: Getty Questions were raised when Harry and Meghan The children were then officially named as prince and princess on the Royal Family's official website. Archie and Lilibet are sixth and seventh in line to the throne. Advertisement Before their titles were listed as prince and princess on the royal website, they were down as Master Archie Mountbatten-Windsor and Miss Lilibet Mountbatten-Windsor. They gained the titles when King Charles became the King, as they are grandchildren of the monarch. Why did Prince Harry and Meghan Markle step back as senior working royals? PRINCE Harry has always wanted out of the Royal Family and the repercussions will be felt for years, an expert has claimed. The Duke of Sussex has lived in California with his wife Meghan Markle since 2020 after they dramatically quit their jobs as working royals and moved across the pond. Katie Nicholl, who is Vanity Fair's royal correspondent, told The Sun's Speaking to The Sun's Royal Editor Matt Wilkinson, the commentator explained: "Anyone who knows Harry is aware he's always wanted a way out of the Royal Family. "He's said multiple times on the record that he wished he'd never been born a prince. "I think he really is living the life he wants to now. It's very, very sad that it's played out the way it has.' "We intend to step back as 'senior' members of the Royal Family and work to become financially independent, while continuing to fully support Her Majesty The Queen. "It is with your encouragement, particularly over the last few years, that we feel prepared to make this adjustment. "We now plan to balance our time between the United Kingdom and North America, continuing to honour our duty to The Queen, the Commonwealth, and our patronages. "This geographic balance will enable us to raise our son with an appreciation for the royal tradition into which he was born, while also providing our family with the space to focus on the next chapter, including the launch of our new charitable entity.'
