Prince Harry stepped out solo while gearing up for the 2027 Invictus Games.
The Duke of Sussex, 41, was spotted at an event in Birmingham, England, on Friday, July 10, without wife Meghan Markle, as their U.K. trip continues. Harry appeared in good spirits despite his wife’s absence, smiling as he took part in several sporting events.
Harry arrived at Birmingham’s National Exhibition Centre, where next year’s Invictus Games is set to take place, and reunited with some former Invictus Games competitors. Together, Harry and the athletes showcased some of the new sports that will be included in next year’s event.
According to several videos shared via social media, Harry took part in a game of wheelchair rugby. He also played pickleball and Laser Run, which are two of the newer events.
Harry’s Invictus Games is scheduled for July 10, 2027, through July 17, 2027. The week-long event was founded by Harry in 2014 and features an international competition between wounded, injured and sick military personnel and veterans.
It was initially reported that Meghan, 44, planned to step out alongside her husband while in the U.K. However, People reported on Thursday, July 9, that she would not be making any public appearances during their visit.
The Duke of Sussex’s recent U.K. trip wasn’t without its drama. Prior to traveling across the pond, Harry’s team has claimed that Buckingham Palace offered — and subsequently withdrew — an invitation for him to stay there.
“Following RAVEC’s [Royal and VIP Executive Committee] decision not to provide security for his family, the duke spent last week making alternative security arrangements,” a spokesperson for Harry shared on Monday, July 6. “Once those arrangements were in place, he was able to formally accept the offer of accommodation for himself over the weekend. It is therefore disappointing that the offer has now been withdrawn.”
Harry’s team claimed that the judgement in his recent case against the Daily Mail’s publisher, Associated Newspapers Limited, was partially to blame. (Harry lost his phone hacking case against the company on Tuesday, July 7.)
“Buckingham Palace has, however, been aware of that judgment since last Thursday,” the statement concluded. “It is therefore unclear why, having formally accepted the accommodation offer, it has now been withdrawn at the last moment.”
Several BBC and ITV News sources claimed that Harry accepted Buckingham Palace’s offer too late. Us Weekly reached out for comment at the time.
