Latest news with #InvictusBirmingham2027
Yahoo
2 days ago
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Prince Harry says 'bring on Birmingham' as Invictus Games 2027 dates confirmed
The dates that Prince Harry's Invictus Games will come to Birmingham have been confirmed - after he teased his potential return to the UK for the event. The Games will run from 10 to 17 July 2027 and will be based entirely at the NEC apart from the swimming, which will be held at Sandwell Aquatics Centre. The event, the eighth edition, will feature wounded, injured, and sick service personnel and veterans from around the world for the eighth. Competitors will take part in nine core sports, with three new additions - e-sports, pickleball, and laser run. READ MORE: Pub near Birmingham named one of the 'best looking' in the UK by CAMRA READ MORE: Riddle of dad's disappearance solved as human remains identified READ MORE: Teen raped schoolgirl then told her it was 'stupid' in Facebook message 'We are thrilled to officially announce the confirmed dates for Invictus Games Birmingham 2027,' said Helen Helliwell, CEO of Birmingham 2027. 'These Games will shine a light on Birmingham's incredible community spirit and the West Midlands' strong commitment to supporting the recovery and rehabilitation of our Armed Forces community.' This year's Games were held in Canada. Harry marked his address at the event by saying: "Bring on Invictus Birmingham 2027. You have permission to party!" That was seen by some as Harry teasing his return to the UK, having suffered strained relations with his family since stepping back as a full-time working Royal. Rob Owen, CEO of the Invictus Games Foundation, said: 'Birmingham is a unique and vibrant city and it's wonderful to have the dates set. "This will be the eighth Invictus Games and the return of the Games to the UK, in a city that has been a focal point of healing for so many members of the wounded, injured or sick service and veteran community. "As the Invictus Games Foundation recently celebrated its ten-year anniversary, we've been looking ahead as to what the next ten years of recovery will look like for the community, and we know Birmingham 2027 will be a beacon of hope for so many in recovery.' The Invictus Games will bring significant social and economic boost into Birmingham -attracting thousands of visitors, creating jobs, and showcasing the city's hospitality, culture, and innovation on the world stage. Local communities will be engaged through extensive outreach and participation initiatives in the run-up to, and throughout, the Games. Selly Ok MP and veterans' minister Al Carns said: 'With the dates set, Birmingham stands ready to deliver an Invictus Games worthy of those injured while bravely serving their country, whose unbreakable spirit and determination to overcome mental and physical challenges inspires us all. "In July 2027, I invite the world to Birmingham to witness these remarkable people first hand and understand what it truly means to serve, sacrifice, and prevail'.
Telegraph
17-02-2025
- Entertainment
- Telegraph
Prince Harry says ‘bring on' Invictus Games in UK despite security concerns
The Duke of Sussex has said 'bring on' the next Invictus Games in the UK despite the security challenges it will present for him and his family. Speaking at the closing ceremony of the Games in Vancouver, the Duke, 40, told a crowd of 20,000 at the Rogers Stadium 'the Games will go on' as he looked ahead to the 2027 event in Birmingham. The prospect of the Games returning to the UK for the first time since its inception raises questions about whether the Duke and Duchess will return to their former home, potentially with their two children, Prince Archie, five, and Princess Lilibet, three, after leaving the UK in 2020. Security remains a concern for the Duke after he lost a High Court challenge last year over his right to state-funded police protection in the UK. Unless he can overturn the ruling, he is understood to feel it is too dangerous to bring his wife or children to the UK, telling an ITV documentary, Tabloids on Trial, last year that he feared a knife or acid attack. But the Duke appeared to show no signs of concern as he brought the 2025 Games to a close on Sunday night after nine days of competition for wounded, injured and sick veterans. He said: 'So long as our brothers and sisters are striving to heal and grow, the Games will go on. 'So long as there are those around the world who view you with sympathy, rather than admiration and respect, the Games will go on. 'And so long as the challenges around us demand it and require it, the Games will go on. Bring on Invictus Birmingham 2027.' It also remains to be seen whether other working royals will be present for the Birmingham Games, as they were in 2014, when the then Prince Charles, the Duchess of Cornwall and Prince William all joined the Duke for the opening ceremony. The Duke returned to the UK at least four times last year, but was not joined by his wife or children for any of the trips. He briefly visited his father in February after Buckingham Palace announced that the King had been diagnosed with cancer. He opted to stay at a hotel on that trip, with sources citing security concerns because of the public entrances and exits at the palace. He is currently required to give 30 days notice of his travel plans so that each visit may be assessed on its merits. The Duke revealed this week he wanted Prince Archie and Princess Lilibet to attend future Games, but did not comment on whether they would come to Birmingham, saying 'right now, they're still young'. 'I'd love for them to experience the Invictus spirit first-hand one day,' he told Town & Country, an American lifestyle magazine. 'Right now, they're still young, but we already talk about the importance of resilience, community, and service—everything Invictus represents.' At the ceremony, the Royal British Legion's Team UK Captains, Stephen 'Hoops' Hooper, Neil Thomas and Gemma Barnes received the Invictus Games Foundation flag to signify the handover of the Games to Birmingham. Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau paid tribute to the Duke, telling him 'you have changed the lives of so many people for the better and we all owe you the deepest debt'. The speech by Mr Trudeau, 53, who announced his resignation last month after nine years in power, prompted tears from the Duke and a standing ovation from the crowd. Earlier in the day, Mr Trudeau had sat with The Duke in the stands to watch the indoor rowing finals, the final event of the Games. The closing ceremony also featured performances by rapper Jelly Roll, Canadian singer Marie-Mai, and the rock band Barenaked Ladies.
