Prince Harry's Invictus Games could face an uncertain future, with royal commentator Mark Dolan claiming next year's Birmingham event could be the last edition of the competition.
Speaking on the latest Daily Expresso podcast episode, Dolan said Harry's recent fundraising efforts had brought in around $2.2 million (£1.7 million), but questioned whether that would be enough to secure the Games' future.
Funding concerns for the Games
“Well, it isn't, and it's entirely possible that next year, Birmingham 2027 could be the last Invictus Games,” Dolan said.
Dolan said he did not want the event to disappear because of the people who compete in it, praising injured servicemen and women who have returned from military service and taken part despite physical injuries, lost limbs and PTSD.
“Invictus is a good cause, and the people involved are the best of us,” he said.
Cost of staging the event
He argued that the cost of staging the Games presented a significant challenge, claiming it costs more than $100,000 (£74,750) per participant to organise.
“It's very expensive to put on,” Dolan said, before questioning whether money spent staging the event could instead be directed towards practical support for veterans, such as mobility vehicles or accessible housing.
He acknowledged Harry's fundraising achievement but argued it remained relatively small compared with the money previously associated with Invictus.
Sponsorship and Harry's role
“Well done for raising 1.7, 1.8 million pounds, two point something or other million dollars,” Dolan said. “That's a great achievement. But it is a drop in the ocean compared to the kind of money that was floating around Invictus in Canada, in Vancouver, for the last Games.”
Dolan also claimed sponsorship had become an issue, linking this to the controversy surrounding Harry and Meghan. He argued that the couple's public profile could make potential sponsors more cautious about associating themselves with Invictus.
“Harry is Invictus. Invictus is Harry,” Dolan said during the episode, arguing that the organisation had become closely tied to the Duke's public identity. He went further, saying: “If you think about his brand, it's essentially dependent on Invictus.”
Dolan suggested there could be another outcome if the funding problems continue, claiming there was pressure within Invictus to remove Harry as the organisation's face.
“Either Birmingham next year is the last Invictus, right? Or Harry is turfed out,” he said.
He then suggested potential replacements could include Mike Tindall or David Beckham, although those were Dolan's suggestions rather than announced plans for the organisation.
Harry's hopes for 2027
Dolan also discussed Harry's hopes for the 2027 Games, including the possibility that his father would attend. He said Harry had identified Invictus 2027 as what he was most excited about when asked about his future plans.
“That is probably the greatest moment for Harry's brand,” Dolan said of the possibility of King Charles attending.
Later in the episode, Dolan returned to Harry's recent fundraising appearance, saying he found it notable that Harry had identified Invictus 2027 as his next major event.
“Are you telling me that the next big thing that he's looking forward to is the best part of a year away?” Dolan asked.
The Birmingham Games are currently the focus of Harry's plans for 2027, but Dolan's comments raise the possibility of a major crossroads for the competition, either through funding pressures or a change in Harry's role. The episode itself does not establish that Birmingham 2027 will definitely be the final Invictus Games.
