Prince Harry and Meghan Markle are potentially facing security issues that could affect their presence at the 2027 Invictus Games in Birmingham, United Kingdom (UK). Harry, the Duke of Sussex, established the athletic event for wounded, injured, and sick military personnel and veterans. However, he is currently in disagreement with the Home Office concerning the security provisions for his family during UK visits.

Prince Harry, who now lives in Montecito, California, lost a High Court case against the government on state-funded police protection in February 2024. He contended that it wasn’t safe to bring his children, five-year-old Prince Archie and three-year-old Princess Lilibet, to the UK without adequate security precautions.

In May, he was allowed to appeal the decision. However, if the appeal doesn’t succeed, Harry might be compelled to attend the games alone due to safety worries for his family. The court rejected Harry’s proposal to privately pay for police protection, ruling that affluent individuals should not be allowed to “buy” security services.

Prince Harry has undoubtedly warned his wife Meghan about the risks of accompanying him to the UK without security.

Birmingham was revealed as the host city for the 2027 Invictus Games, marking the first time the event will return to the UK since its introduction in London in 2014. The news was shared during a special event at the National Exhibition Centre (NEC) in Birmingham, where wheelchair sports were demonstrated and a flag-raising ceremony was held. The UK government, not the financially strained Birmingham City Council, funded the $33.28 million bid for the games.

The Invictus Games have a special place in Harry and Meghan’s hearts, as they first appeared together publicly at the 2017 games in Toronto. Meghan has attended every Invictus Games since then. However, persistent security difficulties could stop her from joining Harry in Birmingham in 2027. According to a royal expert, Harry is likely to attend alone, which could be a convenient excuse for Meghan to avoid a possibly frosty reception in the UK.

In a statement, Prince Harry praised Birmingham for its successful bid to host the games, highlighting the city’s strong ties to the military community. He stated that these connections made Birmingham a strong candidate from the outset and voiced his confidence that the people of Birmingham would show their deep respect and admiration for their veteran and service community.

Birmingham, known for its strong military ties, is home to the Queen Elizabeth Hospital, the Royal College of Defence Medicine, and the Defence Medical Rehabilitation Centre. These institutions are expected to provide robust support to the Invictus Games competitors and their families.

Al Carns, the Veterans minister, was present at the announcement event at the NEC, emphasising the games’ significance for the local community and noting that Birmingham would draw considerable attention. Carns stated that the armed forces consistently exhibit bravery and selflessness, and are dedicated to supporting wounded, injured, and sick service members and veterans. The Invictus Games are one of the many ways they provide ongoing support to those dealing with illness or injury.

Despite the anticipation surrounding the games, the unresolved security issues for Harry and Meghan continue to be a matter of concern. Prince Harry’s legal fight over security arrangements persists, with his lawyers asserting that the decision to refuse state-funded protection was illegal and unjust. The government, on the other hand, insists that security should be customized and assessed on an individual basis.

The ongoing legal disagreement over Harry’s security arrangements started after he and Meghan resigned from their roles as senior working royals and relocated to the United States. Since then, they have not been entitled to the same taxpayer-funded protection as working royals. Harry’s legal team has argued that this decision leaves his family vulnerable when visiting the UK. In a recent statement, Harry expressed his concerns: “All it takes is one lone actor, one person who reads this stuff, to act on what they have read… whether that is a knife or acid … they are genuine concerns for me.”

The 2027 Invictus Games will introduce new sports, including pickleball, laser run, and esports. The event is scheduled to be held at the NEC in July, attracting participants and spectators from around the globe.