14 January 2023 , 21:36
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Prince Harry’s controversial book may spell the end of his role in the Invictus Games, top military sources warned today.
His sniping at Royal Family members and talk of killing 25 Taliban in memoir Spare has raised alarm in the Armed Forces and the charity sector.
One senior officer told us: “Harry’s book has become a self-inflicted wound from which he might never recover. It may be a bestseller but the damage done to his reputation, especially among the forces and veterans, could be beyond repair”.
Harry, 38, founded the Invictus Games, an Olympics for veterans, in 2014. But there are doubts he could still be at the helm when it returns in Dusseldorf, Germany, in September.
Not least because his Taliban revelation has raised fears the event could become a terrorism target, as the Sunday Mirror reported last week.
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Harry in uniform (Netflix)
He set up the Invictus Games (Evan Agostini / Invision / AP / REX / Shutterstock)One senior Tory politician told us he “couldn’t see how” Harry could go on in the role while a Cabinet member said he was “not sure” Harry should now be the face of the Games.
A senior member of a veterans charity who has met the Prince on several occasions, including at the Invictus Games, added: “Harry was idolised by veterans. Many who have competed in the games will tell you it saved their lives.
“But the tide has turned with the publication of Spare and Harry may be viewed as toxic by many veterans.
Harry's book is out now (Lev Radin/Pacific Press/REX/Shutterstock)“If so, he may have to give up his patronage.” Harry founded Invictus after visiting the USA Warrior Games in 2013 where he witnessed the ability of sport to help both psychologically and physically.
His London event a year later was hailed a huge success.
Speaking at the launch, the Prince spoke of his desire that games would “demonstrate the power of sport to inspire recovery, support rehabilitation and demonstrate life beyond disability”.
He said the long-term objective was to ensure injured troops are not forgotten as Britain’s involvement in Afghanistan came to an end.
Admiral Lord West, former head of the Navy, said: “The Invictus Games is very much labelled to him and so I would have thought the threat level there will definitely be higher.
“There will be serious security issues because of what he said in his book.
“Measures will have to be put in place to protect the veterans. And there will be people who, given half the chance, will want to do something.” At the last Games, in the Netherlands last April, Harry and wife Meghan were given a warm welcome.
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In his book, which went on sale in Spain ahead of the official UK launch on January 10, he claimed his brother William was constantly jealous and resented the success of the event.
Invictus Games was yesterday approached for comment.