The Duke and Duchess of Sussex have been accused of choosing to ‘continuously insert themselves into the spotlight’ at the Games.
‘They have become a distraction, overshadowing the veterans who should be at the centre of it all’, one volunteer has said.
‘This event should be about the veterans, not royal spectacle’.
The Duke of Sussex used his speech to 40,000 people at the opening ceremony of the Invictus Games in Canada to bemoan ‘weak moral character in the world’ – before thanking veterans – in comments widely views as a dig at the new US President.
It came after Mr Trump had batted away calls for Harry’s deportation amid controversy over his visa and his historical drug use. ‘I don’t want to do that. He’s got enough problems with his wife. She’s terrible’, the President said.
Harry founded Invictus with the support of his father King Charles and brother Prince William as well as other senior royals to support and encourage wounded military personnel.
A senior Invictus Games volunteer, involved in the organising of the event in Vancouver and Whistler since it was announced in 2022, has claimed Prince Harry’s speech was a ‘woke’ distraction that would not be welcomed by wounded, injured, and sick military personnel at opening ceremony at Vancouver’s BC Place stadium.
‘While we remain committed to supporting the veterans and their families, there is growing frustration over how Harry and Meghan have dominated the narrative’, the insider said.
‘Public sentiment, especially among veterans, reflects this frustration—most do not respect how they continuously insert themselves into the spotlight. Unlike them, veterans and their families do not see themselves as victims. Their “woke” agenda dies with veterans’.
Prince Harry takes part in the ‘Moose Cam’ at the 2025 Invictus Games in Vancouver yesterday
Another insider said: ‘While you can understand it, he must be upset, it is a shame that Harry chose to say what he did, when he did’.
MailOnline asked Harry’s spokesman to comment on the Duke’s speech and whether it was a reference to Donald Trump.
Yesterday Harry and Meghan put on a public display of affection at the Invictus Games at the weekend – hours after Donald Trump took a swipe at their marriage.
The couple could not keep their hands off each other at the opening ceremony of the contest for injured veterans in Vancouver, Canada.
Prince Harry and Meghan Markle slammed for riding in a golf buggy past disabled veterans
Meghan, 43, dressed in a £2,400 ivory maxi trench coat made from baby alpaca wool by Sentaler, was seen resting her head on Harry’s shoulder.
At one point, she tenderly cradled his face before leaning in for a kiss as they watched their friends Katy Perry, Chris Martin and Nelly Furtado perform.
Their loving appearance followed the US President’s comments in which he dismissed calls for Harry’s deportation amid controversy over his visa.
‘I don’t want to do that,’ Mr Trump told the New York Post. ‘I’ll leave him alone. He’s got enough problems with his wife. She’s terrible.’
Harry admitted in his 2023 memoir Spare that he had taken drugs in the past, prompting the Right-wing Heritage Foundation to suggest he lied about using them on his visa application or was given special treatment by Joe Biden.
Mr Trump’s remarks are not the first time he has criticised Meghan, who openly supported Mr Biden and branded the Republican ‘divisive and misogynistic’ in a 2016 interview.
He has said he is ‘not a fan’ of Meghan, claiming that ‘Harry is whipped’ and ‘is being led around by his nose’.
But in what might be construed as a veiled rebuke of Mr Trump’s insults, Harry later made a speech praising the veterans’ ‘courage, values and humanity’ at a time ‘when there is no shortage of crises, no absence of uncertainty, no lack of weak moral character in the world’.
Prince Harry, Meghan Markle and Canadian singer Michael Buble happily posed for photos with kitchen staff (pictured) after tucking into a meal at Indian restaurant Vij’s in Vancouver
Meghan and Prince Harry smile and wave during the wheelchair basketball event yesterday
Prince Harry speaks with a ten-year-old boy as he attends the wheelchair basketball yesterday
Meghan shares a hug with a well wisher during the wheelchair basketball match yesterday
The prince, who founded the Games in 2014, told the crowd at the BC Place Stadium they ‘were born… from a promise I made to myself.
‘A promise to uphold my obligation – a sacred obligation after my own decade and privilege of military service; to do whatever I could to help my fellow brothers and sisters heal, and to champion everything we stand for.’
Trump says he WON’T deport Harry: ‘I’ll leave him alone. He’s got enough problems with his wife’
Harry was invited to drop the puck to start the game between the Vancouver Canucks and the Toronto Maple Leafs.
The Sussexes rounded off the day by joining Canadian singer and friend Michael Buble and his wife Luisana for dinner at Vij’s Indian restaurant.
Vikram Vij, owner of the restaurant which features in the Michelin Guide, said the party ‘were extremely friendly and nice’ and ‘ate a lot’.
Harry ordered the lamb popsicles – grilled lamb rack chops with curry sauce.
At a private event on Sunday morning, Meghan met with around 40 children who’s parents are taking part in the Games.
She delighted the group from the various participating countries by reading the children’s picture book ‘All Are Neighbours’.
As she finished, she warmly told the the youngsters: ‘We are here for you-we will be cheering you and your parents on this week!’
Meghan later asked them what they’re most excited about the week ahead.
The duchess was joined by Harry who was playfully gifted a pair of Speedos telling the royal: ‘You don’t have to model them right now!’ prompting laughter from the Prince.
The prince, who founded the Games in 2014, told the crowd at the BC Place Stadium they ‘were born… from a promise I made to myself.
‘A promise to uphold my obligation – a sacred obligation after my own decade and privilege of military service; to do whatever I could to help my fellow brothers and sisters heal, and to champion everything we stand for.’
Trump says he WON’T deport Harry: ‘I’ll leave him alone. He’s got enough problems with his wife’
The Duke and Duchess of Sussex later went to watch an ice hockey game at the nearby Rogers Arena.
Harry was invited to drop the puck to start the game between the Vancouver Canucks and the Toronto Maple Leafs.
The Sussexes rounded off the day by joining Canadian singer and friend Michael Buble and his wife Luisana for dinner at Vij’s Indian restaurant.
Vikram Vij, owner of the restaurant which features in the Michelin Guide, said the party ‘were extremely friendly and nice’ and ‘ate a lot’.
Harry ordered the lamb popsicles – grilled lamb rack chops with curry sauce.
At a private event on Sunday morning, Meghan met with around 40 children who’s parents are taking part in the Games.
She delighted the group from the various participating countries by reading the children’s picture book ‘All Are Neighbours’.
As she finished, she warmly told the the youngsters: ‘We are here for you-we will be cheering you and your parents on this week!’
Meghan later asked them what they’re most excited about the week ahead.
The duchess was joined by Harry who was playfully gifted a pair of Speedos telling the royal: ‘You don’t have to model them right now!’ prompting laughter from the Prince.
