The tension is reaching a boiling point as veterans and royal fans alike call out Meghan Markle for her alleged influence on the Invictus Games. With accusations of pushing a “woke agenda” and unnecessary meddling, the controversy is becoming impossible to ignore.

One of the biggest sparks of outrage? Meghan Markle reportedly influenced the decision to replace traditional rifles in the shooting competitions with laser guns. The reasoning behind the move is supposedly about inclusivity, but critics and veterans believe it’s more about Meghan’s personal anti-gun stance being imposed on a military-focused event.

Veterans are livid. These games were designed to honor their service and experiences, and the use of rifles has long been symbolic of that. “This decision disrespects the essence of the games,” one veteran fumed. “It’s just another example of Meghan Markle meddling where she doesn’t belong.”

And the practicality of laser guns? Don’t even get started. U.S. veteran Christopher Bride revealed that at a past event, the laser guns had serious issues in cold weather: targets became obstructed, and the guns outright stopped working. “Imagine training for months only to be sidelined by snow on a lens,” he said. That’s the kind of frustration veterans are dealing with now.

For many, this decision feels like a slap in the face. The Invictus Games were created to celebrate veterans’ strength and resilience, not to serve as a platform for celebrity virtue signaling. One critic put it bluntly: “This isn’t about safety or inclusivity. It’s about Meghan’s personal agenda to ‘wokify’ everything she touches.”

The backlash is growing, with many veterans even suggesting a boycott of the event altogether. “Harry doesn’t care about us,” one veteran remarked. “This is all about his image, not honoring service members.”

Now, attention is shifting to Meghan’s attendance at the 2025 Invictus Games in Canada. According to a poll conducted by *Express.co.uk*, an overwhelming 94% of voters believe Meghan should stay home. Fans are practically pleading with Harry to attend solo this time. Why? Because every time Meghan shows up, the focus shifts from honoring veterans to royal drama.

PR expert Edward Coram James summed it up perfectly: “If Meghan attends, she risks overshadowing the event with baggage. If she doesn’t, people will speculate that the Sussexes are in trouble.” Either way, it’s a lose-lose situation.

Adding fuel to the fire is a recent *Vanity Fair* article accusing Meghan of “mean girl” behavior toward her former staff. Allegedly, some ex-employees required long-term therapy after working for her. With controversy swirling on multiple fronts, it’s no wonder so many are calling for Meghan to skip the games.  This isn’t the first time Meghan’s influence has raised eyebrows. Reports suggest she convinced Harry to give up his beloved hunting hobby. Once an avid hunter, Harry reportedly sold his prized rifles for over $60,000. While that’s a personal choice, it feeds into the narrative that Meghan has a habit of reshaping traditions to fit her ideals—whether it’s hunting, royal protocol, or now the Invictus Games.

As the games approach in February, the controversy shows no signs of slowing down. Over 500 participants from more than 20 countries will compete in adaptive sports, including new events like snowboarding and alpine skiing. But for many veterans, the excitement is being overshadowed by frustration over what they see as unnecessary changes and distractions.

The bottom line? Veterans want the Invictus Games to stay true to their purpose: honoring service members and their experiences. They didn’t sign up for a laser tag competition—or a platform for celebrity activism.