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.

Meghan looks lovely as always, I like her style.

I'm not wanting to be a 'Debbie downer' but I get the feeling there are two additional games being played out in Dusseldorf at the moment. The line is going to be crossed where the other two other 'games' turn into the main event.

I think something is going to backfire.

Its interesting to watch the PR campaign and print media reporting (particularly DM) in action.

Anyway, that's all I'm going to say on it as I think Invictus is a force for good in many, many ways and I hope the focus switches back to where and who it should be about.

I loved the sleeveless white top she was wearing. I thought it was a bit of a nod to Britain! I think I actually liked it even more than the jacket she wore the other day. She wore a similar-ish all black outfit which was great too.

Only thing is I think her stylist still doesn’t have much attention to detail. The red striped shirt wasn’t properly tailored and hung unflatteringly, it looked off the rack. And her tan trousers hadn’t been pressed or ironed, they looked straight out of the suitcase.

Meghan as ever I am here if you need me - all I ask for is a decent sized bedroom.

I think Invictus is a force for good in many, many ways and I hope the focus switches back to where and who it should be about.

I had never heard about Invictus until Harry got involved. Now I follow it to see Meghan's wardrobe. They are creating a huge amount of publicity and without them people like me (and I suspect I am one of hundreds of thousands) would remain woefully ignorant about Invictus.

Oh and yes, I think she does wear some nice outfits but then I'm not big on fashion (I rock my own very individual fashion line!). I liked the red outfit she wore in New York a year or so back but I think I was very much in the minority on that. So what do I know.🤷‍♀️

You do the clothes, I best try on all the jewellery

I really liked the gold Hertz dress but I seem to be in the minority!! Oh well having the same taste as Meghan ain’t bad 😂

I really liked the gold Hertz dress but I seem to be in the minority!! Oh well having the same taste as Meghan ain’t bad 😂

As long as we are not including men in that then I can live with it😂

'I had never heard about Invictus until Harry got involved. Now I follow it to see Meghan's wardrobe'

Really?, I'd just wear an IG polo shirt with leggings and leave the satin and glitz for actual social events and not sporting ones if it were me. Not because I'm a 'hater' just because there's a time and place to showcase outfits and this isn't it. Imo.

She can't help that the media are obsessed with reporting on every item of clothing she's worn. Hardly her fault

She's wearing it! No one forced her to. In a stadium full of sportswear she's done up like she's going for a night out. Tone deaf, as always. Save the satin and heels for the leaving party. Imo.

You’re not that daft, Roussette ! Meghan loves fashion; she has not slung on any old thing and the Press then reporting on it. Plus she has been wearing the label of the wife of the PR place she is signed up with.

Do you feel better for finding something to criticise her about?

I have, I think, seen every outfit. All casual....Flats, shorts, skinny black jeans, vest tops, very casual baggy jacket thing, a shirt dress costing $60

Give her a break for god's sake. Can a woman not wear what she feels comfortable and confident in?

These threads are, at times, completely batshit. I wondered how long it would take for this sort of criticism to start 🙄

@Roussette silly me, I forgot it’s always someone else’s fault.

I’m reminded of Michelle Obama’s words on public service.
'Public service it's a bright, sharp, hot spotlight and most people don't understand it nor should they. The thing that I always keep in mind is that none of this is about us, in public service, it's about the people that we serve.
'I always try to push the light back out and focus it on the folks that we're actually here to serve.'

There was no such thing as Invictus until Harry got involved, ao you’d have struggled to have heard of it before then, and it pre dates his relationship with Meghan

See my post above.
I never said 'she slung on any old thing'.

Here we go....

A woman can't wear what she wants. Well, Meghan can't

I wouldn’t worry about that at all. If you’ve been following closely, they are very much loved and respected by the veterans, their families and IG officials. They all seem very protective and loyal towards Harry and his wife, Meghan. They enjoy having them there and if you see the footage coming out from there, the veterans and their families etc are always so excited to meet them.
They are very popular there, that can’t be helped. No one will hold that against them.

It won’t backfire. So many of the veterans and their families have made a point of honouring Harry and speaking respectfully about him. They are grateful to him and he is humbled by them. It’s clear to see in every interaction. Their opinions are the ones that matter.

I have been following the games and the reporting (outside of the UK) of the games closely, and it has always been about the veterans.

Note: I’ve posted a few comments by the veterans in the Invictus thread. I was spoilt for choice. There were literally hundreds to choose from!

Stormyzy. I don't understand about it being some else's fault.

She wore clothes. It's getting criticised. It'll be something else soon.

Ah well there you go. He’s made it what it is. Good for him (and Meghan is keeping the interest even higher).

The interest in her you mean? Not the Games themselves.

Some nice comments from a local restaurant they had a pre birthday meal for Harry at:

Restaurant owner Thea Ungermann added: "The couple were very relaxed, they drank our beer, Schumacher Alt - it's the same beer they are serving at the Invictus Games. Harry and Meghan sat next to each other during the meal. I had goosebumps when they walked into the restaurant, I had watched his speech on the stage at the Invictus Games and couldn't believe he was in my restaurant. Prince Harry was so lovely and gave me a hug."

https://www.hellomagazine.com/royalty/502493/prince-harry-meghan-markle-archewell-family-meal-royal-birthday/

The interest in her is 90% maintained by people who obsessively try to find things to criticise her for. It's like a sport. If they were to just leave the woman be, there would be no publicity, and they would get what they say they want. They would go away because the interest in clicking on stories about her from people who just like her clothes would not make it lucrative enough to the press to sustain an entire media industry and all the vultures posing as experts.

'Do you feel better for finding something to criticise her about?'

Not really. I'd like the pair of them to surprise me or prove me wrong but nope, It’s the Sussex pr show. The vets of course appreciate the event and what it does for them, they are allowed their opinions too. However casual wear far more appropriate for sporting events like this.

Haven't you ever commented on someone's outfit before 🤔

I don't know why Harry mis meeting with NATO chief's. He gave up his role as a Royal. So why is he determined to be seen with every VIP and celebs despite saying he wants privacy and moaning about the press taking photographs.

Wait, even liking her clothes makes one a h8r now??