Prince Harry made a surprise appearance on ITV's This Morning during a solo visit to Birmingham, where he shared a warm hug with presenter Alison Hammond and took part in a game of laser tag. The Duke of Sussex appeared on the daytime show while attending a major event promoting the 2027 Invictus Games, which will be held at Birmingham's National Exhibition Centre (NEC).
Harry's Activities in Birmingham
Harry, who attended without the Duchess of Sussex or their children, spent the day meeting competitors from previous Invictus Games and trying his hand at a series of adaptive sports that will feature at the tournament. During his television appearance, the Duke embraced Hammond before the pair were seen laughing and jumping for joy after teaming up for a laser tag challenge.
Harry later told Hammond that his family were “proud” of him, adding: “I love my family very much.”
Pickleball Demonstration
Not featured on This Morning, the Duke of Sussex was seen trying his hand at pickleball, an alternative to tennis, as demonstration matches were staged to mark one year until the annual tournament. Harry joined a partner on court to compete against another pair in pickleball, which will make an appearance when the games are staged in Birmingham next year.
Security Concerns and Family Visit Rumours
Harry was expected to spend several days in the UK promoting the 2027 Invictus Games, which Birmingham will host for the first time. Missing was the Duchess of Sussex, who was due to attend the event but did not fly to the UK with Harry earlier this week because of security concerns. However, Meghan was widely expected to travel with their children, Prince Archie and Princess Lilibet, in the coming days, prompting rumours there could be a meeting between the King and his US-based grandchildren.
The outing marked Harry's first public appearance since he returned to the UK following his High Court defeat over his security arrangements. On Thursday, he attended meetings for the Invictus Games Foundation at the Royal Hospital Chelsea, just half a mile from King Charles, who was carrying out a separate engagement to officially open the British Transport Police's new headquarters.
