The Duke and Duchess of Sussex at the Invictus Games 2023

[MrsMaxDeWinter]

Most of the Invictus threads seem to be filling up, or focused on fairly parochial issues, so I thought, now that Meghan is in Dusseldorf, I would lead us off with a general new thread about Harry and Meghan at Invictus 2023.

Some initial thoughts from me.

The UK tabloid narrative about how much Harry and Meghan are loathed globally is blown apart by the warm and rousing welcome they both received, both separately and together. So the UK tabloids have to dig deep to write eye-rollingly silly stories about Harry being "humiliated" because he did not score a goal during a fun, light-hearted TV appearance to promote the Games.

Invictus clearly means everything to Harry, and it is lovely to see Meghan supporting him, and to remember that it was at Invictus in Toronto that they first went public. The event must have such lovely memories for them both.

Favourite picture: Meghan with Glory Essien, the Nigerian athlete.

The Nigerians have really lit up the tournament. A Kenyan senator who met Harry last week posted on X that she would work on Kenya to be the next African team.

After everything in the last year, it's so lovely to see that Invictus is getting bigger, that Harry is as committed as he has always been to the Games he started, and that Meghan is there to support the veterans, and her husband.

@Iwantcakeeveryday

Are any of the other wives giving out medals or leading parades?

There is a thread about the IG and the veterans.
This thread is about the Sussexes.

Meghan wasn’t wearing high end clothes or expensive jewellery. Nearly everything she wore was affordable and sold out within an hour of her wearing them. I dislike talking about this topic but I feel this needs to be corrected.

The veterans were highlighted all week across the globe. The tabloids however, were silent and did not report on the injured veterans competing. I was told it was because there were more important things to report on.
As soon as Meghan appeared, it became about her for the tabloids. Suddenly there was ample space to report on the IG (but still not the veterans).
Those that consume the tabloids, extreme right wing tv shows and weirdos on YouTube, will believe Meghan took the spotlight.
For those that live in the real world, they saw it was all about the veterans. They also saw the genuine love, support, protectiveness and respect that everyone at the games had for both Harry and Meghan.

In regards to how they’ve behaved in the past, let’s not kid ourselves. The institution and the royals were also at fault. There is a lot to criticise there. There are people who can see both sides objectively. Harry and Meghan need to move on and it appears that they have. The institution and the family also need to move on, the tabloids and the broadcasters need to move on and we all need to move on too.

Basically, leave them to sort out their differences, wish them well and let everyone live their lives peacefully, whilst we get on with our own lives.

The vets love him, they've been saying it all week and they don't seem to appreciate people like you trying to ruin their week. Did you not hear the comments, a Gb athlete saying, ' you won;'t hear a bad word about Harry from us, we love him'.

Its really messed up of you to keep saying what they deserve and that he isn't who they should have when THEY want him there and appreciate what he's given them. Why would you ignore that and pretend you're somehow advocating on their behalf?

No because their husbands aren't founders of the games! Its entirely appropriate she is there in that role. They love her there. So why would any of you object when the people she is there for want her there? Its strange.

Ok. Not even ONE WEEK of saying he's done well with Invictus
Got you

Oh well....your view is widely known, I've seen it endlessly all over the Invictus threads. No need to keep repeating it like some sort of mantra 😂

Well said again :)

'Harry and Meghan need to move on and it appears that they have. The institution and the family also need to move on, 'z

Has he? You sure there's no more trashy gossipy books or chat show appearances listing woes and grievances at the hands of his Evil Family who were always very supportive he has said previously now he's decided they werent <for the Netflix $$>

I wouldn't be so sure. The rf are his USP I'm not sure how far he can go without giving them a kicking once in a while.

But yes, lets hope the determination and positivity has rubbed off on him.

'No need to keep repeating it like some sort of mantra'

Kettle and pot there if we're talking about repeating ourselves

But don’t you think it undermines your credibility somewhat to never recognise when they make a misstep?

Rather unfair to single me out like this @Boudicasbeard
You seem to talk like you know me, if so you should know I have criticised them in the past and said they make some rubbish decisions at times

But do ignore my posts if you don't find me 'credible' !

me thinks there is a poster here who wants this thread deleted.

seeing as people want to discuss clothes.
I am in awe of meghan ad kate and the heels they wear.

Why do we need to hound people for 'missteps' though? These two have had enough scrutiny, thats why I don't care if she wore the wrong blouse. Its not what the world needs more of, endless picking on and criticising of people. I don't think anything they've done here is a misstep, the people they're trying to help are having a great time, there are so many lovely stories and footage being shared it really seems unfair and unpleasant to focus so intensely on her clothes and how she's wearing the wrong thing or shouldn't be giving out medals. The focus should be on what the participants need and want and that is what they're doing.

@themessygarden I know!
I'm reminded me of the polo prize giving, however,I don't want to derail so if you haven't seen it look it up😳.

Very sweet video of Harry being sung happy birthday and being given a birthday cake, they sure do seem to love having them there:

https://twitter.com/royal_suitor/status/1702765854969250296?ref_src=twsrc%5Egoogle%7Ctwcamp%5Eserp%7Ctwgr%5Etweet

I agree @Iwantcakeeveryday

The games were a huge success and it was a pleasure to follow it so closely.

I’m going to keep the other thread going with updates even after the games end. There are lots of exciting announcements being made that are worth discussing.

swamped by supporters a few days ago

https://twitter.com/chrisshipitv/status/1702358064857256078?ref_src=twsrc%5Egoogle%7Ctwcamp%5Eserp%7Ctwgr%5Etweet

@Iwantcakeeveryday

I said they shouldn’t be hounded.

But sadly criticism is part of a public facing job. If you are going to be in a role that is promotional (film,tv, music etc) then you do have to accept that there is an acceptable and unacceptable way to behave and some expectations about how comport yourself.

People these days are much more alive to the back stage aspects of fame and those things are manipulated. You can see this in the way other celebs- like the Kardashians are criticised for staging events and their clothing choices. Look at the commentary on Kanye at the moment or even Taylor Swift vs Olivia Rodrigo.

Is there are reason why the same standards shouldn’t be applied to the D& DoS?

Like I said, the criticism is coming from the UK and affiliated Murdoch media. That will always be the case. Their voices were a drop in the ocean, thankfully.

@Boudicasbeard criticism for clothing is juvenile and meaningless to me, its reaching for something to hound her about. They both looked great, the athletes and their families absolutely love them and are having a great time so if anyone feels its needed to criticise them right now, I think it speaks volumes about their motivation. That's my opinion. People who complain the focus should be on the vets while focussing on Megan themselves, really don't make any sense to me.

'the athletes and their families absolutely love them and are having a great time''

How come a couple of supporters can repeat this 'across multiple threads' and it's fine yet when I inconveniently remind you he's a fake and a hypocrite I get told off?

Yes he is the patron of a good and worthy organisation, but it is the vets who are the stars not this pair of faux marching, faux grinning wannabes.

Having said that, Fox News did some great reports on the veterans by a reporter who was also an injured veteran.

I’ll give them points for that. You won’t hear me say that often but fair is fair.

Hmmm you're upping the ante now!
Any more insults of this couple whilst you're at it?

Personally I'd rather be on the side of positivity, not endless negativity but we're all different

I have seen that Birthday cake and I think that is a lovely thing for them to do for him. It doesn't change my thoughts and opinions around other aspects of the 'games' that are being played. You'd be very naive though if you thought everyone competing was supportive of him and his wife.

People who complain the focus should be on the vets while focussing on Megan themselves, really don't make any sense to me.

Like the OP you mean? or is that different?

'Personally I'd rather be on the side of positivity, not endless negativity but we're all different'

Yes me too. Let's hope Harry has finally realised the error of his ways, spurred on by the vets and we see an end to his public, unedifying whines. On that I'm sure we agree.

I think that very few people are 100% good or horrible
I find Meghan a whiner and her west coast persona grates on me. But I don't think that makes everything she does bad.
I also dislike the way Harry has dealt with his family issues although as someone who lost their mum at a very young age I sympathise with his pain.
I appreciate the Invictus games are a very positive thing.
The Daily Wail will always be a force for nasty small minded right wingers on whatever issue.

It does seem to be the same three or four overly invested posters. I lurk in here a lot but don’t comment often because it is like banging your head against a brick wall.

It is nice they’ve had a lot of support. I wouldn’t want to see them tarred and feathered in the street. I have no problem with them getting on with their lives so hopefully their endless whines about their massively privileged lives are over and they’ll do something useful (beyond picking up minor awards and making puff pieces about themselves.)

I would quite like to see the end of the constantly staged photos as well. If you are doing positive things in the world then you shouldn’t need the extra paid publicity.