Harry's Future with Invictus: Divisive Tensions Threaten His Role

Royal Rift Alert: Prince Harry's Invictus Games Patronage Under Fire

In a shocking twist, the Duke of Sussex, Prince Harry, may be forced to resign as patron of the Invictus Games Foundation due to growing concerns about his divisive presence at the charity. Sources close to the organization have revealed that the duke's role has become increasingly contentious, particularly among military personnel.

"The duke has become an incredibly polarizing figure, and it's not good for Invictus," a source familiar with the matter told The Scholarly Note. "We're all about bringing people together and inspiring those who have suffered hardship. But now, Invictus is firmly established, it might be better if the duke took a step back."

The controversy surrounding Prince Harry's patronage comes as the next Invictus Games are set to take place in Birmingham in 2027. The event was initially hailed as a triumph of royal diplomacy, with Prince William and Kate Middleton attending the inaugural ceremony in 2014.

However, Prince Harry's estrangement from the Royal Family, which he has publicly criticized on several occasions, including in his memoir "Spare" and an interview with Oprah Winfrey, has raised eyebrows among palace insiders. The tension is palpable, and it remains to be seen whether senior members of the Royal Family will attend the 2027 games.

"It's worrying that such a worthy event seems to be used for PR purposes," said the source. "Normally, senior members of the Royal Family would want to attend. It goes without saying that they support the Forces to the hilt, so it would be unfortunate if they felt unable to because of Harry's presence."

The row has sparked fears that Invictus will suffer a similar fate to Sentebale, another charity founded by Prince Harry to help Aids orphans in southern Africa. The organization has reportedly suffered a significant drop in donations due to the duke's "toxic brand," according to Sophie Chandauka, chairwoman of Sentebale.

"Harry's toxic brand has been a major obstacle for us," she said. "It's had a devastating impact on our ability to diversify our donor pool and hire new staff."

Chandauka also claimed that Prince Harry's team asked her to defend his wife Meghan from negative publicity, but she refused, stating, "We're not setting a precedent by which we become an extension of the Sussex PR machine."

The incident sparked a war of words between Chandauka and Prince Harry's camp. It remains to be seen whether the duke will take similar requests seriously in his role as patron of Invictus.

Invictus Games Foundation CEO Rob Owen insisted that the organization is "proud" to have Prince Harry as its patron, but admitted that the charity has faced challenges due to the duke's high profile.

"The spotlight he brings to the community and our work has changed perceptions worldwide," Owen said. "However, we recognize the concerns raised by some of our stakeholders and will take them seriously."

As tensions simmer between Prince Harry and the Royal Family, one thing is clear: the fate of Invictus Games hangs precariously in the balance.

Additional Updates

• The latest news has sparked speculation about JJ Chalmers, a close friend and supporter of Prince Harry who recently stood down as a trustee of Invictus. While Chalmers insisted he would continue to support the charity in an ambassadorial role, sources close to the organization have expressed concerns about his decision.
• Palace insiders believe that the controversy surrounding Prince Harry's patronage is not only damaging to Invictus but also reflecting poorly on the Royal Family as a whole.

The Bottom Line

Prince Harry's involvement with the Invictus Games has always been seen as a highlight of his philanthropic work. However, recent developments suggest that even this charity may be affected by his increasingly divisive presence. Will Prince Harry take the hint and resign from his patronage? Only time will tell, but one thing is certain: the drama surrounding the Royal Family continues to captivate the world's attention.