A new Netflix documentary about the Paralympics will feature the Duke of Sussex. Prince Harry will talk about the Invictus Games in Raising Phoenix, as well as share his thoughts on this advocacy.
Netflix released the teaser to Raising Phoenix this week and Prince Harry is featured in one of the clips talking about how sports can bring people back from their "darkest places." The Duke of Sussex founded the Paralympic event, Invictus Games, in 2014 to help fellow ex-servicemen and injured veterans rehabilitate from their war experience.
Raising Phoenix's release was supposed to coincide with the Tokyo Olympics and the Paralympic Games but the events were postponed to 2021 due to the coronavirus pandemic. Also featured in the documentary are Paralympians like Tatyana McFadden (USA), Jonnie Peacock (UK), Bebe Vio (Italy), Jean-Baptiste Alaize (France), Cui Zhe (China), Ellie Cole (Australia), Matt Stutzman (USA), Ntando Mahlangu (South Africa) and Ryley Batt (Australia).
A spokesperson for Prince Harry told People that he is proud to be part of Raising Phoenix. He hopes the powerful movie will change how people view disability and mental health.
The royal said in an Invictus speech in 2019 that creating this platform for ex-military sportsmen with disability to shine has given him a great honor. He also acknowledged these inspiring athletes' impact to the public.
Prince Harry served the British military for 10 years as Captain Wales. The royal was proud of his life in the military because he was treated as one of the guys. It was his first taste of life outside the palace walls.
When Prince Harry retired from his military duties in 2015, he apparently said that he still feels lucky because he can continue to wear the uniform. He could also keep in touch with his fellow servicemen for the rest of his life, as being a serviceman bonded him with this brothers-in-arms.
Queen Elizabeth made Prince Harry the Royal Marines Captain General, a role he inherited from his grandfather, the Duke of Edinburgh. He was also the Commodore-in-Chief in the Small Ships and Diving in the Royal Navy and the Honorary Air Commandant of the RAF Honington.
In the book Finding Freedom, authors Omid Scobie and Carolyn Durand wrote that losing his military appointments when he gave up his royal role for a more private life outside the royal spotlight has been a "tough pill to swallow." Despite losing his military ties, Prince Harry remains an active part of the Invictus games.
