Prince Harry Reflects on His Personal Invictus Journey Since 2014: “I Wouldn’t Change a Thing” (Exclusive)
Prince Harry had the pleasure of reuniting with numerous celebrity friends during the Invictus Games 2025 held in Whistler and Vancouver, Canada. Among those in attendance were Katy Perry, Michael Bublé, Chris Martin, Jelly Roll, and Justin Trudeau, with Us seating just a few rows behind the Prime Minister and the Duke of Sussex during an indoor rowing event at the Vancouver Convention Center on February 16. However, Harry’s most treasured moments were spent with participating athletes at the seventh Games that highlight adaptive sports for injured or wounded military personnel, both veterans and active duty members.
Having turned a decade older since founding the inaugural Games in 2014, Harry told Us Weekly exclusively, “With hindsight and experience, I wouldn’t change any of it—except wishing there were no need for Invictus Games.”
In our discussion following the exciting semi-final match where Team UK triumphed over Team Nigeria in sitting volleyball on February 15, Harry expressed his gratitude: “I’m just thankful for the incredible display they are showcasing and for the remarkable humans they are.” The royal also shared his experiences of connecting with fellow do-gooders. “I was with a few new friends from [Ukraine’s] Superhumans Center, where they are literally putting people back together,” he noted. “Their work in prosthetics and psychological support is unbelievably impressive!”
Reflections on rehabilitation—addressing both visible and invisible scars, from amputations to PTSD—were at the forefront of Harry’s thoughts when he established Invictus, rooted in his own military background and experiences of trauma during his ten-year service. “They will continue to have challenging days,” Harry acknowledges, referring to the veterans he competes alongside, some of whom served with him in Afghanistan, “But for this week, the difficult days are very limited…because they recognize they are not isolated or alone. Everyone around them carries something. When you group these men and women in the same arena, they start sharing their stories and realize that… there’s nothing wrong with them.”
After a spirited Opening Ceremony, the nine-day Games—which were the first to incorporate winter sports—officially commenced in the stunning mountains of Whistler. Both Harry and his wife, Meghan Markle, enjoyed spectating skiing, snowboarding, biathlon, skeleton, and wheelchair curling, and even attempted downhill tubing!
The duchess, 43, “has been part of this community since shortly after the Orlando Games in 2016 and has loved every minute,” Harry revealed to Us. “So many cherished memories have been created.”
At the Sydney Games in 2018, for instance, Harry fondly recounted a “bear hug” from an enthusiastic supporter and his concern that the same cheer might be directed towards his then-pregnant wife! While Meghan returned home after the Whistler events to be with their children, Archie, 5, and Lilibet, 3, she continued to support her husband through her newly-active Instagram account. “Yes, the shout-out on Instagram was very sweet and greatly appreciated!” Harry expressed to Us.
The upcoming 2027 Games in Birmingham, UK, will hold a special significance for King Charles‘ youngest son. “Birmingham is a place filled with deep emotional connections. Many of these veterans woke up there after being wounded in Afghanistan,” Harry explained about the city, known for the Queen Elizabeth Hospital, which is often the primary treatment facility for injured British soldiers.
As Birmingham approaches, Harry stands ready for whatever the future holds. “I’ve learned and grown, shaped by the resilience and brilliance of our Invictus community,” he shared. “Serving them and their families remains one of the greatest privileges of my life.”
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