Prince Harry, the Duke of Sussex, recently opened up in an exclusive interview about two of his greatest passions: his family and the Invictus Games. The Invictus Games is a Paralympic-style competition for wounded service members that Prince Harry founded a decade ago. In the interview with ABC News’ Will Reeve for “Good Morning America,” Prince Harry discussed his recent visit to his father, King Charles III, who was diagnosed with cancer.
Prince Harry expressed his love for his family and his gratitude for being able to spend time with his father. He mentioned that he immediately flew to London to see his father as soon as he heard about the diagnosis. Although he did not provide further details about the illness, he did mention that he plans to visit his family in the UK as much as possible.
During his visit to London, Prince Harry did not meet with his older brother, Prince William, with whom he has had a strained relationship in recent years. However, when asked about the possibility of Charles’ illness bringing their family together, Prince Harry expressed optimism and reflected on the strength of family bonds that he has witnessed among the families of Invictus athletes.
Prince Harry has been actively involved in the lives of wounded servicemembers and their families since 2014 when he launched the first Invictus Games. The Games were inspired by the Warrior Games organized by the U.S. Department of Defense, which Prince Harry attended in 2013. As a former member of the British Army, Prince Harry hosted the first Invictus Games in London in 2014 and has since been instrumental in organizing subsequent events in Orlando, Toronto, Sydney, Dusseldorf, and The Hague.
The upcoming Invictus Games in Vancouver and Whistler in 2025 will mark a new chapter for the event as it will be the first time winter sports are included in the competition. In addition to traditional sports like indoor rowing, sitting volleyball, swimming, wheelchair basketball, and wheelchair rugby, the Games will feature alpine skiing, Nordic skiing, skeleton, and wheelchair curling. Over 500 competitors from more than two dozen nations are expected to participate in the Games, which will be held from February 8 to 16, 2025.
During his visit to Whistler for the One Year To Go celebration, Prince Harry and his wife Meghan, the Duchess of Sussex, met with Invictus participants and toured the competition venues. Prince Harry even tried one of the Games’ daring competitions, the skeleton sled. However, he emphasized that the focus should always be on the competitors and their stories. He expressed his passion for being part of the Games and highlighted the importance of providing opportunities for wounded servicemembers to experience joy and happiness.
The Vancouver area holds a special significance for Prince Harry and Meghan, as they spent several months there at the beginning of 2020 while transitioning into their new lives as non-working senior members of the British royal family. They have since settled in Montecito, California, with their two children, Archie and Lilibet. Although their children did not join them in Whistler, Prince Harry mentioned that they are doing well and bringing laughter and joy to their lives every day.
Reflecting on his life in the U.S., Prince Harry expressed his love for living there but stated that he doesn’t feel fully American yet. He even mentioned the possibility of obtaining American citizenship in the future but clarified that it is not currently a high priority for him.
In conclusion, Prince Harry’s interview provided insights into his personal life, his family relationships, and his dedication to the Invictus Games. Despite the challenges he faces, he remains committed to supporting wounded servicemembers and their families through this inspiring event. The upcoming Invictus Games in Vancouver and Whistler will undoubtedly be a testament to the resilience and strength of these athletes, and Prince Harry’s involvement will continue to make a positive impact on their lives.
