The games will next be held in Birmingham in 2027

Prince Harry had reason to celebrate this week following a report about the Invictus Games 2025.

The games, launched by Harry in 2014, took place in Canada earlier this year. And, judging by the report, they were a resounding success!

The news comes after Harry and his wife Meghan Markle faced backlash recently. It came from a video Meghan posted showing herself and Harry dancing and twerking in a hospital video four years ago, when their daughter Lilibet was born.
The Invictus Games 2025 appeared a success (Credit: CoverImages.com)

Prince Harry has cause to celebrate with the Invictus Games 2025 report

On Monday (June 9), a report about the Invictus Games in Canada was published.

The games became a financial success in Canada, according to the reports, bringing in $86.1 million (£63m) in economic activity in British Columbia. $81.3 million (£60m) of which was in the Vancouver area.

The report also claims that a total of 125,000 spectators attended the games. Over 900,000 Canadians watched the games on TV.

The report also announced that the games have received a $5.5 million (£3.7m) legacy fund for the ongoing rehabiliation of the injured, sick, and wounded members and Veterans before, during and after the Games managed by the True Patriot Love Foundation in Canada and the Invictus Games Foundation internationally.

Scott Moore, Vancouver Whistler 2025 CEO said: “Our Games not only changed lives, they saved them and their legacy is an enduring and meaningful contribution through programs and resources now and for years to come supporting the host communities and those injured through their military service.”
Harry issued thanks in a statement (Credit: CoverImages.com)

Prince Harry’s statement on the Invictus Games report

The report also featured a quote from Prince Harry, who took the opportunity to thank all those involved.

“I want to extend a heartfelt thank you to everyone involved in making these extraordinary Games possible, most of all the Four Host First Nations who welcomed us into their land,” he said.

“To the tens of thousands who packed the stands, I thank you for creating an unforgettable atmosphere for our competitors and their families. To everyone who gave it their all for their country and the Invictus Games, thank you and I salute you,” he continued.

“From start to finish, there was a special kind of hospitality and energy about these Games and Canada absolutely delivered once again.”
Harry launched the games 11 years ago (Credit: CoverImages.com)

Did Prince Harry really create the Invictus Games?

Yes, he did. The duke first got the idea for the games during a trip to the US in 2013. Whilst out there, he watched the Department of Defense’s Warrior Games.

“Sport was the magic that I witnessed,” he once said, recounting his visit. “Having just come back from Afghanistan myself, seeing the wounded, injured and sick and seeing the effect this was having on all the families, and just the weight—the load on defense and on the individuals and on the rehabilitation programs. There just wasn’t enough being done.”

Upon returning to the UK, Harry decided that he wanted to expand the Warrior Games model. He admitted it was “stolen from the Americans and made bigger and better”.

The first Invictus Games were first held in September 2014 in London. They’ve since been hosted in Orlando, Toronto, Sydney, The Hague, Dusseldorf, and Vancouver. The 2027 edition will be held in Birmingham in the UK.

Read more: Meghan Markle and Prince Harry slammed for ‘decision’ over their children Archie and Lilibet’s royal futures