Prince Harry spoke about his enduring emotional connection to the United Kingdom as he celebrated the return of the Invictus Games to Britain in 2027. The Duke of Sussex, who founded the competition for wounded and sick veterans in 2014, highlighted Birmingham's significance as the upcoming host city and reflected on its deep ties to military recovery efforts.
"Birmingham for us, is a very, very emotionally connected place," Harry said in an interview with US Weekly. "A lot of these guys, they woke up in Birmingham after being blown up in Afghanistan." The city is home to the Queen Elizabeth Hospital, which has served as a primary treatment center for British soldiers injured in overseas conflicts.
The 40-year-old royal, who completed two tours of Afghanistan during his time in the British Army, has remained closely involved with the Invictus Games despite relocating to California with his wife, Meghan Markle. This year's event, held in Vancouver and Whistler, Canada, marked the first time winter sports were incorporated into the program.
Meghan joined Harry in Vancouver for the opening ceremony on February 8 and traveled with him to Whistler for several days before returning home to Montecito, California. While she did not stay for the closing ceremony on February 16, she continued to show her support remotely, sharing updates on her newly relaunched Instagram account.
Following her departure, Meghan posted a photo of Canadian souvenirs she had brought back for their children, Archie, 5, and Lilibet, 3. "A taste of Canada and The Invictus Games for our little ones! Cheering you on from home!" she wrote.
Harry expressed appreciation for the public show of support, telling US Weekly, "Yes, the Instagram shout-out was very sweet and much appreciated!" The Duchess of Sussex, 43, has been closely involved with the Invictus Games since 2016, with Harry noting, "[Meghan's] been a part of this community since shortly after the Orlando Games."
The Invictus Games have been held in cities across the world, including London, Orlando, Sydney, The Hague, Düsseldorf, and Vancouver. Birmingham will mark its return to the UK for the first time since the inaugural competition in 2014.
During this year's closing ceremony, Harry received a standing ovation from attendees, including Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, for his continued dedication to the event. Meghan later posted a tribute to her husband, writing, "So proud of you."
Meghan has been active on social media in recent months following the relaunch of her personal brand, As Ever, a lifestyle venture that expands on themes from her former blog, The Tig. The rebranded company is expected to sell products ranging from kitchenware and textiles to skincare and gardening tools.
The Duchess is also preparing for the March 4 launch of her new Netflix series, With Love, Meghan, which will feature appearances from friends and celebrities, including The Office star Mindy Kaling and former Suits co-star Abigail Spencer. The project is considered a key test for the couple's ongoing partnership with the streaming platform, following reports that their multi-million-dollar deal could be under scrutiny.
