Prince Harry was in Birmingham to mark the one-year countdown to the 2027 Invictus Games, the first time the event for injured and sick military personnel has returned to the UK since 2014. The Duke of Sussex participated in wheelchair rugby and laser run, made a tongue-in-cheek joke about aging, and showed his caring side by helping a player toppled from their wheelchair.
Harry's Activities at the NEC
Harry rubbed shoulders with Birmingham TV personality Alison Hammond during a laser run game. He also played wheelchair rugby alongside Birmingham MP Al Carns, a former colonel. The game turned competitive, with players clashing into each other, creating sounds like snare drum hits. Harry was in the thick of the action, occasionally causing clashes himself.
Even when a Jaguar Land Rover car alarm went off in the NEC hall, Harry remained unfazed, ignoring the alarm and taking a relaxed approach to the remainder of events.
Harry's Speech and Joke
In his speech, Harry kicked off with a joke: “This is the first time back in the UK [for Invictus Games] since 2014. Some of us have lost our hair. Some of us look younger than we did before, some older, but thank you for being supporters of the Invictus community.” He added, “One year today, the world will come to the NEC in Birmingham. Britain has always understood the importance of service and standing together when needs must.”
New Competitions and Participants
Pickleball, laser run, and esports are three new competitions joining the Games. Alison Hammond made a cameo appearance, participating in laser run. Army Cadet Force Major Carl Pietrzak called Prince Harry a 'powerful' ambassador for the Invictus Games, saying, “He is very powerful. A face we all know, in the media constantly. For us, it's for the cadets to see that in action.”
MP Al Carns' Remarks
Al Carns, MP for Selly Oak and former colonel, delivered a speech paying tribute to the British army and Queen Elizabeth Hospital. He said, “Sometimes you get dealt a very difficult hand. That’s why we’re in Birmingham today. When one person in a family serves, the whole family serves. Children are left behind, wives are left behind. I served for 24 years and dropped casualties off at Queen Elizabeth and I've seen the magic that goes on there. In Invictus, it’s a body where we can reconnect society and show when you’re dealt a rough hand, heroes in wheelchairs and amputees, it gives us inspiration and something bigger than ourselves.”
