Prince Harry to Return to the UK for Invictus Games Anniversary

Prince Harry is set to make a return to the United Kingdom in May to commemorate a special anniversary of the Invictus Games, a sports event that he established ten years ago.

The Duke of Sussex will be participating in a ceremony at London’s St. Paul’s Cathedral on May 8, where he will be giving a reading to celebrate the 10th anniversary of the Invictus Games and its inception.

The prince last visited his home country in February for a quick visit after his father King Charles was diagnosed with cancer.

In an interview with ABC's "Good Morning America" later that month, Harry mentioned the diagnosis and shared that he immediately flew to see his father.

"I am grateful for the opportunity to spend time with my family. I love them so much," Harry expressed.

It is uncertain whether the prince will have the chance to meet with his relatives during his upcoming trip next month.

The duke and his wife, Meghan, Duchess of Sussex, moved to the United States in 2020. Since then, Harry, 39, has made several short visits back to the UK. He notably attended the funeral of Queen Elizabeth II in 2022 and his father's coronation last year.

It is unclear if Meghan will join her husband at the Invictus celebration. However, it might be difficult for the mother of two as the event at St. Paul's is scheduled just two days after Prince Archie's fifth birthday on May 6.

Buckingham Palace has announced that Charles, who is still undergoing treatment, will be returning to public-facing duties on Tuesday. His medical team is pleased with his progress and remains positive about his recovery.

His schedule will be carefully managed, with decisions about which events he will attend being made closer to the time in consultation with his doctors. Although he will not be carrying out a full summer program, the palace mentioned that he will be welcoming Japan’s Emperor Naruhito and Empress Masako for a state visit in June.

Prince Harry talks with wheelchair basketball players during the launch of the Invictus Games at the Copper Box Arena in London's Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park in March 2014.

Prince Harry talks with wheelchair basketball players during the launch of the Invictus Games at the Copper Box Arena in London's Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park in March 2014.

The Invictus Games were created by Prince Harry following his time in Afghanistan. The main goal of the games is to help in the recovery of wounded, injured, and sick service personnel and veterans, as stated on the foundation's website.

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The next Invictus Games is scheduled to take place in Vancouver and Whistler, Canada in February 2025. Over 500 athletes from more than 20 countries will participate in adaptive sports like indoor rowing, sitting volleyball, swimming, wheelchair rugby, and wheelchair basketball.

For the first time at the Vancouver Whistler games, winter sports will also be featured. This includes Alpine skiing, snowboarding, Nordic skiing, biathlon, skeleton, and wheelchair curling.

The games will take place in collaboration with the First Nations to honor and reconcile with Indigenous communities, as stated on the games' website. Contributing to the report was CNN's Jennifer Hauser.

Editor's P/S:

Prince Harry's upcoming visit to the United Kingdom for the Invictus Games anniversary holds significance, marking a decade since the establishment of the event he founded. This visit comes after a brief trip in February when Harry expressed his gratitude for spending time with his family amid his father's cancer diagnosis. It remains to be seen if he will reunite with his relatives during this trip, as his schedule will likely be carefully managed.

The Invictus Games, created by Prince Harry, serve a noble purpose: to aid in the recovery of wounded, injured, and sick service personnel and veterans. The upcoming Vancouver Whistler games will feature both traditional adaptive sports and winter sports for the first time, showcasing the resilience and determination of these athletes. The collaboration with First Nations communities adds a meaningful dimension to the event, honoring Indigenous reconciliation and cultural exchange.