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Invictus Games Hosts Boycott Founder Prince Harry Amidst Controversy
The Invictus Games, an event created by Prince Harry for wounded servicemen and women, appears to have distanced itself from its founder.
In recent publicity for the event, hosts Alex Jones and JJ Chalmers have noticeably avoided mentioning the royal's involvement.
This comes after Prince Harry and his wife Meghan Markle stepped down from their roles within the royal family in January 2020, causing a rift between them and the rest of the family.
Even the Dutch royals, who will be attending the games, have kept their distance, opting not to give the Sussexes a royal reception.
During an interview to promote the event, Alex Jones expressed her admiration for the Games, highlighting how it has given hope and purpose to servicemen and women who have experienced traumatic events.
She emphasized the importance of competitiveness in the games, but also emphasized that it was created to provide focus and motivation for those who have lost hope.
According to Jones, the Invictus Games is the best sporting event available.
JJ Chalmers, who competed in the Games in 2014 and will now co-host alongside Alex, also spoke highly of the competition.
He described it as something truly unique, not just about sport, but also about the inspiring stories of the athletes and competitors.
Notably, neither host mentioned Prince Harry's involvement in their statements, indicating a shift in their relationship with him.
This snub marks a departure from the previously close bond between Prince Harry and the hosts, who were believed to be good friends.
In the past, Prince Harry even recorded a video message of support for JJ Chalmers when he was competing on Strictly.
JJ has credited the Duke as one of the key figures who played a significant role in his recovery.
The recent news of the Sussexes not receiving a red carpet or royal reception during their visit to The Hague further adds to their distancing from royal circles.
Instead of staying in a palace, they will be accommodated in a hotel.
While Dutch King Willem-Alexander and Princess Marguerite will attend the Invictus Games, there will be no official royal reception or audience for Prince Harry and Meghan Markle.
In addition to their strained relationship with the royal family, the Sussexes are also reportedly losing popularity among their friends and acquaintances.
They were not invited to the wedding of David and Victoria Beckham's eldest son, Brooklyn Beckham, while Prince William and Kate Middleton declined their invitation.
This decline in popularity extends to America as well, where novelist Celia Walden claims that Meghan Markle made a crucial misstep by forgetting that the entire country loves the Queen.
According to Walden, Meghan is now seen as a figure of fun rather than someone to be protected.
Furthermore, Prince Harry and Meghan Markle skipped the Oscars this year, despite their attempts to establish themselves in Hollywood after stepping away from their royal duties.
Their absence from the Queen's late husband Prince Philip's memorial service due to security concerns also drew widespread criticism.
Despite the controversies surrounding them, the Duke and Duchess of Sussex have confirmed their attendance at the fifth Invictus Games in The Hague.
However, their decision to travel to Europe rather than the UK, where most of the royal family resides, has sparked backlash from both family members and the public.
As the Invictus Games approaches, it becomes increasingly evident that Prince Harry and Meghan Markle are facing significant challenges in maintaining their relationships and popularity.
The event, once closely associated with Prince Harry, now seems to distance itself from its founder, leaving many to question the future of the Games and the couple's role within it.