Prince Harry has congratulated Birmingham on its success in winning its bid to host the Invictus Games 2027.
Harry – who founded the games for wounded, injured and sick military personnel and veterans – said the city’s ties to the military made it a ‘formidable contender’.
He staged the inaugural tournament in the UK in 2014, so it means he is likely to make an appearance at some point at the NEC Arena in Birmingham in 2027.
The £26million government-backed bid also raises questions as to whether Harry might bump into King Charles and Prince William at the Games.
It is also not yet known whether Meghan Markle will appear alongside Harry – who was last seen publicly in the UK in 2022 at Queen Elizabeth II’s funeral.
Harry said in a statement: ‘Congratulations to Birmingham, UK, on winning the bid to host the Invictus Games 2027.
‘Your city’s strong ties to the armed forces community made it a formidable contender from the very start.
‘Over the years, we’ve seen each city bring a unique spirit and vision to life for competitors, their families and spectators.
‘We have no doubt the people of Birmingham will join in celebrating the unwavering respect and admiration we have for our veteran and service community, showing the world how their courage ignites hope and unites us all — something your city knows well.’
Meanwhile Helen Helliwell, chief executive of Invictus Games Birmingham 2027, said the event would be ‘the most cohesive, sustainable event in Invictus Games history’ with legacy programmes benefiting communities nationwide.
Harry still faces a strained relationship with his brother and dad ever since him and his wife Megham stepped down from being senior royals.
While Charles and William supported him in launching the Games in 2014 and stood by his side – much has changed since then.
Prince Harry marked the tenth anniversary of his Invictus Games with a thanksgiving service at St Paul’s Cathedral in central London in May.
The ceremony, attended by his mother Princess Diana’s siblings, took place just two miles away from Buckingham Palace, where King Charles was hosting a garden party.
However, the father and son did not meet during the brief time the Duke of Sussex spent in the UK before heading home to California, with the monarch reportedly saying he was ‘too busy’.
It was at the Games in 2017 in Toronto though where Harry and Meghan were pictured for the first time together in public.
Meghan was seen cheering and smiling in the stands of the Air Canada Centre in Toronto, as the games for wounded military veterans were officially opened.
However, she wasn’t sitting with Harry – her seat was in a public section of the crowd.
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