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.

Thanks @Roussette !

B.C. is beautiful. Hopefully I'll get a chance to go out5there during the Games and keep you all updated!

I'm sure there will be lots of Land Acknowledgements throughout.

I would be interested to see what other partnerships and collaborations will be done with the Indigenous communities and networks.

Wow, I love this approach - very respectful. I really, really hope they do a Heart of Invictus Season 2 Netflix docu where they show how they are collaborating with the First Nations and indigenous communities, I'm hope it'll be a teaching moment for millions on how to do sustainable winter sports.

I'm a winter sports fan and I have to say some of the practices I'm seeing in the Alps these days as snow continues its unrelenting disappearing act (eg transporting snow to the pistes by helicopter...) just make you want to cry!

(Invictus team, I hope you're reading! ;-)

Anyway I learned something else from your post @Roussette - a fascinating-looking new alphabet (s)!

That's a great idea regarding series 2 of Heart of Invictus @TallerSally

That's great - I hope they really commit to it and make it happen.

I think a better way of supporting ex service men and women with medical and mh issues would be to give them something to do in everyday lives, help them find support in work places, find employers who would collaborate and accommodate their needs.

Not as starry as H being under the spotlight on stage giving long winded flowery speeches. But much more useful. A week of playing sport and then what?

I think Invictus tries to, or is part of partnerships to make that happen?

Maybe Harry and Meghan are also part of the day-to-day work, rather than just the photogenic highlights?

Edit - added question mark to my second sentence. I hope they are.

A week of playing sport and then what?

I can't believe you dismiss Invictus in that short sentence. Why?

It's all about mental health and challenging themselves, about being brought together with likeminded people

And this...
We collaborate to provide opportunities for post-traumatic growth: enabling those involved to reclaim their purpose, identity and future, beyond injury

You dismiss it all you want. It means a lot to a lot of people.

I think Invictus tries to, or is part of partnerships to make that happen

Yes

I very much hope that Harry and Meghan are involved with the day to day work of Invictus, it is amazing work and I am sure is very rewarding. They should use their voice to publicise it more

A week of playing sport and then what?

Really, it's just like the Olympics, which is 4 weeks...

Clearly, nothing happens in the run-up, and nothing happens afterwards...

Oh do they? That's great. With all Harry's speeches that is something that I haven't heard him shine a light on and mention but yes if he is collaborating with partners to develop and facilitate everyday opportunities then I'll stand corrected.

Was it ever mentioned in his Netflix IG series? I can't recall.

I don't think they have highlighted their everyday involvement. I look forward to seeing this developed as they go forward 😊

yes... because none of them train or find community in their team and see each other regularly for training and games... nope, none of it happens. Its just one thing and thats it. Fucking useless.

Funnily enough, we shared plenty of stories form competitors who talk about what being part of the Invictus family means to them, beyond the games and leading up to it. It's so mean to minimise the impact they themselves talk about.

The expectation that this one charity needs to do the work of a government and provide all the support they need in their life including jobs and opportunities is a bit much!

Maybe read the Inictus Games website, it goes into far more detail

Was it ever mentioned in his Netflix IG series? I can't recall.

You obviously know it wasn't. The IG series focussed on individual athletes' stories which were well worth a watch.

It's so mean to minimise the impact they themselves talk about.

It's embarrassing.

Yes me too. It would be a shame if it all seems like photo ops and outfits. If H is involved in using his vip status to secure opportunities he should shine a light on that and raise awareness so we know. Let us see through his lens.

Perhaps large corporations or even grass root businesses are sponsoring those with mh snd medical issues in the workplace?

I'll have to watch the series again and see what else is involved.

Anyway let's ignore it , we don't need to get caught up going over old ground.

There is obviously lots to celebrate about Harry and Meghan's involvement in Invictus, and I hope their critics get to see more about the impact or their work.

Perhaps large corporations or even grass root businesses aresponsoring those with mh snd medical issues in the workplace?

Have you been on the IG website and looked? They are partnered with different companies... best you read there.

I'll have to watch the series again and see what else is involved.

The series involves personal stories.

Personally speaking, I'm not going to decry an initiative that means a lot to a lot of people. But up to you.

There is lots of good info on the IG website, but I don't think they provide enough info about Harry and Meghan's involvement in the day to day work of supporting veterans.

Course they don't

'The expectation that this one charity needs to do the work of a government and provide all the support they need in their life including jobs and opportunities is a bit much!'

No, I think the gov and the military do indeed provide support with benefits etc.
I believe help for heroes and SAFFA also great in supporting those who need it

A week of sport is great to boost confidence etc but what about the rest of the year. People suffering physically and mentally need support and motivation for everyday life and my genuine question is are businesses sponsoring people courtesy of Invictus in the workplace, if not why not and if yes why don't we hear more about it?

I realise it is difficult to fully use their endorsement when they want to maintain their privacy

And here we go....

Personally speaking, I'm not going to decry an initiative that means a lot to a lot of people. But up to you.

Yes, it is sad that some people don't support a good cause, because of suspicions about the celebs attached