Prince Harry announces major Invictus update on the first day of Royal Ascot after staff changes inside Sussex media team
Harry helped set up Invictus in 2014 as an Olympics-style international sporting event for injured and wounded service men and women across the globe.
On Tuesday, the foundation officially announced that a record six host cities have expressed interest in hosting the 2029 edition of the games.
The cities in the running include Aalborg, Denmark; Veneto Region, Italy; Abuja, Nigeria; Daejeon, South Korea; Kyiv, Ukraine; and San Diego in the United States.
The addition of a Nigerian city to the list could possibly be linked to the Sussexes' highly-publicised faux 'royal tour' of the African nation last year.
'We are thrilled to have such interest, demonstrating a clear recognition of the powerful impact of hosting an Invictus Games, not only on the competitors themselves, but on those supporting, watching, and cheering on from the stands,' Invictus CEO Rob Owen said in a statement.
The press release emphasising the remarkable international interest in the foundation was released and dated on the same day the royal family gathered at Royal Ascot in Berkshire.
While Harry's relationship with his father King Charles and brother Prince William is at a standstill, the remaining Windsors appeared closer than ever in new photos taken at the prestigious racing event.
Likely adding insult to injury, the King was seen warmly interacting with Harry's cousins, including Princess Beatrice, Zara Tindall and Peter Phillips.
The big reunion also saw the Duchess of York make a grand return to the royal occasion in another sign Charles has welcomed his former sister-in-law back into the fold.
Harry and his wife Meghan Markle have both been accused of intentionally timing press announcements with royal occasions, possibly to draw attention away from the monarchy.
The latest timing overlap comes after reports the Sussexes have parted ways with several staffers, including their Los Angeles-based deputy press secretary, Kyle Boulia, and their U.K. press officer, Charlie Gipson.
Mr Boulia and Mr Gipson were brought on by the ex-working royals last year during a major hiring blitz designed to help overall Harry and Meghan's public image.
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