In a significant move for the royal charitable sector, decorated Invictus Games hero and television presenter JJ Chalmers has been officially appointed as a trustee for Prince Harry's flagship organisation, the Invictus Games Foundation.
The announcement solidifies the former Royal Marine's deep commitment to the cause that helped his own recovery after suffering life-changing injuries in Afghanistan. Chalmers, who won a gold and two silver medals at the 2014 Invictus Games, has been a vocal and visible ambassador for the power of adaptive sports.
This high-profile appointment comes during a period of substantial transition for the Foundation, which has seen its founding Royal Patron, Prince Harry, and Meghan, Duchess of Sussex, step back from their senior royal duties and relocate to the United States.
The Foundation's official filing with the Charity Commission confirms Chalmers' new governance role, placing him at the heart of the organisation's strategic direction. He joins a board tasked with steering the future of the international adaptive sports tournament, which provides a critical platform for wounded, injured, and sick servicemen and women.
Chalmers' personal journey is inextricably linked to Invictus. He was severely injured by an IED blast in 2011 while serving in Helmand Province, an event that resulted in the loss of two fingers, serious damage to his arm and elbow, and injuries to his legs and face. His subsequent recovery and triumph at the Games launched his second career as a respected broadcaster for the BBC and BT Sport.
His appointment is seen as a strengthening of the Foundation's core mission, bringing on board a trustee whose life has been profoundly shaped by its work. The news follows the Foundation's recent relocation of its headquarters from the Duke of Sussex's former office at Kensington Palace to new premises on the Strand in Central London, symbolising its new independent chapter.
