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.

@parksandrecs

None of the royal family are exceptional.

Well - exceptionally privilliged, yes!

And exceptionally good at lobbying various governments to hand over sea beds, couture tax laws, estates of the dead and so on.

Exceptional beggars! The most successful beggars I have ever seen come to think of it! 😀

I know the above is very provactative - I am not a royalist as you can see.

But it is unfair to expect exceptional from one branch of the family and not all. The only thing that holds any of them in the "exceptional" camp is that they are born into an herditery monarchy.

I agree @EnoughIsay
I call them unique. A one off. One of a kind.

And we are brainwashed to think they are anything special. They are human beings in a unique position. That's all. Some are more clever than others. Some can put themselves over better than others. Some have talents but I haven't quite worked out what talents yet, because we are not allowed to see the real people behind the facade.

So we draw our own conclusions. And I betcha they're mostly wrong... it's what we are spoonfed in the media.

For a person who set up charities you seem very short sighted about this.

I too have worked in the not for profit sector. We would have been beside ourselves for a patron of that high level who actually shows up, and with a TV crew and a broadcast time slot for God's sake. Who would ever have heard of Invictus without that? The bloody president of the United States gave them a name check the other day. By any measure that is a successful use of him and his profile by Invictus.

You know how many more doors open immediately with someone of that profile - again I refer you to the broadcast of the games and the US president.

He does not need to be in the office everyday making it happen. In most companies the CEO is not in the office everyday making it happen- the staff are. The CEO is doing big picture stuff.

PH making a Netflix doc is of more value to sitting in the office every day.

You should know that.

So no - your point is not very vaild. And have a look at that charity of yours. Looks like you could tweak a few things.

"adulation" is a funny old word.

I dip in and out f this thread - I see people who like what he tries to do with his privillage.

That is all.

There a LOADS of threads where you will find like minded people @parksandrecs .

Why don't you let these nice people enjoy their chat?

I am with Harry on this one - it all down to the brave men and women who lost so much going to war.

It is down to them, it is for them, it is about them.

For most people.

But you do you.

Is your charity funded or do you depend n fundraising @parksandrecs ?

If you are funded - how did you manage that?

If you depend on fundraising - who did you approch to raise the profile?

(That counts if it is a small local charity or a large international one).

I would love to see more of your expertise and analysis.

We may be better placed to answer if you could be a little more precise in your questions.

I think most would agree that the success of the IG depend on all parts of it functioning well.

The profile of the Games in the civillian area of life is largely but not entirely due to him.

Look at Common Wealth Games - these events can really flounder without a carefully cnsidered team - as I am sure you know through your own charity.

@parksandrecs - we saw you a mile away.

This is not the win you think it is.

You are simply on a thread with nice people who indulge you.

Why don't you let these nice people enjoy their chat?

I wish. It's not asking a lot. Especially when there's lots of others threads to sound off on about how awful H&M are.

Agreed!

Seems to me that @parksandrecs wanted to establish something re Royal Patronage in order to have it "on file" when it comes up in the furture regarding the Windsors!

Or some such.

Silly stuff and transparent.

Oh, I love talking about fundraising, it was my profession for a while, as well as something I have done on a voluntary basis for years 😀

I wouldn't recommend that any small local charity waste time and energy on getting a royal or celebrity patron. Put your time and effort into establishing evidence of need, the benefits of the project you want to run, and apply to grant funders with an interest in your area.

For larger charities that have exhausted the supply of grant funders with an interest in that area, a 'name' can help - but it needs a thought through strategy. A 'name' in itself doesn't bring in money, and publicity in itself doesn't bring in money.

A name can help sell tickets to an event, for example. Meeting someone famous can be a reward for people who have given money or service to your cause.

Wealthy and well-connected people tend to know other wealthy and well-connected people, and can therefore make introductions, but those introductions don't tend to bring in money unless the person making them has also given substantially, otherwise you get an endless chain of people passing the buck. It is powerful when someone says 'I have given X, will you join me?', not very convincing if the person says 'this is a great cause, you should give to it but I haven't'.

The basic rule of fundraising campaigns is a peer to peer ask, from someone wh has given themselves and is asking someone they know personally to make an equal commitment.

And if your aim is to raise awareness rather than money, then someone famous can help with that. But it is a fallacy to think a famous name will bring in money for a cause, it isn't as straightforward as that!

The Institute of Fundraising is a good place to start if anyone wants to learn more about fundraising - Chartered Institute of Fundraising - Training, qualifications, events & resources listing (ciof.org.uk)

Meeting someone famous can be a reward for people who have given money or service to your cause

The article I linked does cover that and I agree about goodwill.

I was a full on volunteer for a very well known Charity for 10 years (and still am in a small capacity for one!) and I remember someone relatively well known visiting us and having a slice of my coffee cake and complimenting me on it!

Now you need to post the recipe!

It's my dear old Mum's recipe and in my head! Half walnuts on the frosting!

That last paragraph - how true is that for everyone.