Prince Harry has declared "bring on" the 2027 Invictus Games in Birmingham, despite ongoing security challenges following his loss of a High Court battle over UK police protection.
The Duke of Sussex made the bold statement at the closing ceremony of the Vancouver Games, addressing a crowd of 20,000 at Rogers Stadium.
His enthusiasm comes despite losing a court challenge last year regarding his right to state-funded police protection in the UK.
The Duke has previously expressed fears of potential knife or acid attacks, telling an ITV documentary that without adequate protection, he considers it too dangerous to bring his wife or children to Britain.
The Duke of Sussex made the bold statement at the closing ceremony of the Vancouver Games, addressing a crowd of 20,000 at Rogers Stadium.
PA
The Birmingham Games will mark the first time the event returns to UK soil since its inception in 2014, raising questions about the Sussex family's attendance.
"So long as the challenges around us demand it and require it, the Games will go on," the Duke told the Vancouver crowd.
The duke revealed hopes for his children to experience the Invictus Games, though he stopped short of confirming their attendance in Birmingham.
"I'd love for them to experience the Invictus spirit first-hand one day," he told Town & Country magazine.
The Duke's family has been notably absent from his UK visits, with at least four solo trips made last year.
PA
He noted his children, Prince Archie, five, and Princess Lilibet, three, are "still young" but emphasised they already discuss "the importance of resilience, community, and service".
The Duke's family has been notably absent from his UK visits, with at least four solo trips made last year.
Neither the Duchess of Sussex nor their children have accompanied him to Britain since 2022.
The prospect of a family return remains uncertain, with security arrangements continuing to be a primary concern for the Duke.
Under current arrangements, the Duke must provide 30 days' notice of his travel plans to the UK, with each visit assessed individually.
LATEST ROYAL NEWS:
The Duke of Sussex emphasised his commitment to the Games' future, despite the challenges ahead.
PA
It remains uncertain whether other working royals will attend the Birmingham Games, as they did in 2014 when the then Prince Charles, Duchess of Cornwall and Prince William joined the Duke at the opening ceremony.
The handover to Birmingham was marked at the Vancouver closing ceremony, with Royal British Legion's Team UK Captains Stephen "Hoops" Hooper, Neil Thomas and Gemma Barnes receiving the Invictus Games Foundation flag.
The Duke of Sussex emphasised his commitment to the Games' future, despite the challenges ahead.
"So long as our brothers and sisters are striving to heal and grow, the Games will go on," he declared at the Vancouver closing ceremony.
He added: "So long as there are those around the world who view you with sympathy, rather than admiration and respect, the Games will go on."
