The Sussexes will attend Birmingham’s Invictus Games after years of royal rifts and legal drama

The Duke and Duchess of Sussex are preparing for a highly anticipated but potentially tense return to Britain. The official dates for the 2027 Invictus Games in Birmingham have been confirmed, setting the stage for Prince Harry and Meghan Markle’s inevitable return to UK soil, despite their ongoing royal estrangement and legal battles.

Harry, who founded the Invictus Games in 2014 to support wounded military personnel, has made the event a cornerstone of his public identity. Since they first appeared together publicly at the 2017 Toronto Games, the Sussexes have not missed a single edition. Whether in Sydney, The Hague, Düsseldorf, or most recently Vancouver, they have presented a united front at the biennial competition.

However, this trip to Birmingham promises to be far more complicated. Earlier this year, Prince Harry lost his legal fight to have the British taxpayer cover his family’s security while in the UK. A judge ruled against him, stating that his departure from royal duties did not justify such protection at public expense. In response, Harry lamented that he “couldn’t imagine a situation” where his family would feel safe visiting the UK.

Despite this, Harry was recently spotted casually wandering through London, reportedly knocking on friends’ doors during a solo trip, raising questions about the genuine level of threat he faces.

The Birmingham Invictus Games will run from July 10 to July 17, 2027, based primarily at the NEC, with swimming events taking place at the Sandwell Aquatics Centre. The Games will feature nine core sports, alongside three new additions: e-sports, pickleball, and laser run. Organisers are keen to emphasise Birmingham’s community spirit and the West Midlands’ ongoing support for veterans.

“We are thrilled to officially announce the confirmed dates for Invictus Games Birmingham 2027,” said Helen Helliwell, CEO of Birmingham 2027. “These Games will shine a light on Birmingham’s incredible community spirit and the West Midlands’ strong commitment to supporting the recovery and rehabilitation of our Armed Forces community.”

The Sussexes’ attendance remains key to the Games’ profile. Meghan’s presence has often stolen headlines, from her emotional speech in The Hague where she brought Harry to tears, to her public support during the couple’s rocky ‘professional separation’ prior to their joint appearance in Vancouver earlier this year.

Observers suggest the Invictus Games remain ‘unmissable’ for the couple, forming a central pillar of their Sussex brand. One royal commentator noted: “The Invictus Games have so far been unmissable for Harry and Meghan.”

Still, their upcoming return is overshadowed by their strained ties to the royal family. Tensions remain unresolved following their bitter public interviews, bombshell Netflix docuseries, and Harry’s tell-all memoir, Spare. Their relationship with King Charles, Prince William, and the rest of the family remains frosty.

The court ruling over security further deepened their discontent, especially as the couple continues to express concern for the safety of Prince Archie and Princess Lilibet while on British soil.

Despite all this, the Invictus Games’ emotional significance for Harry appears to outweigh the potential discomfort. Back in February, during the opening ceremony in Vancouver, Harry closed his speech with a rallying call: “Bring on Invictus Birmingham 2027. You have permission to party!”

As the Games approach, the UK awaits the Sussexes’ return – a homecoming layered with unresolved tensions, family estrangement, and legal drama.