Prince Harry and Meghan Markle have been blasted by an Invictus Games insider for “overshadowing” the veterans and making themselves a “distraction” after the duke’s latest apparent swipe at US President Donald Trump.
The Duke and Duchess of Sussex travelled to Canada over the weekend to attend the seventh edition of the games – launched in 2014 by Prince Harry – but their appearance at the opening ceremony on Saturday dominated headlines after the duke appeared to take aim at the new US President during his speech.
Speaking in front of 40,000 people, Prince Harry condemned “weak moral character in the world” before he thanked the veterans in what was viewed as a swipe at Mr Trump following his comments on Meghan Markle.
Harry said: “At this moment when there is no shortage of crises, no absence of uncertainty, no lack of weak moral character in the world, the values you embody—the way you carry yourselves—not only at the Invictus Games, but each and every day… your courage, your resilience, your humanity… illuminate a path forward for us all. And for that, we thank you.”
It came after the US President brushed off claims regarding deporting the duke over his revelations in his memoir Spare about past drug use.
Prince Harry made a powerful speech at the Opening of the Invictus Games in Canada (Image: Getty)
Mr Trump said: “I don’t want to do that. He’s got enough problems with his wife. She’s terrible.”
But now an Invictus Games source blasted Harry for his alleged jibe at Mr Trump and said it was a “woke distraction” from the good work of the games, while also criticising the Sussex couple for trying to “continuously insert themselves into the spotlight”.
They told the Mail: “They have become a distraction, overshadowing the veterans who should be at the centre of it all.
“This event should be about the veterans, not royal spectacle”.
The insider added: “While we remain committed to supporting the veterans and their families, there is growing frustration over how Harry and Meghan have dominated the narrative.
Prince Harry gives a speech during the opening ceremony of the 2025 Invictus Games (Image: Getty)
“Public sentiment, especially among veterans, reflects this frustration—most do not respect how they continuously insert themselves into the spotlight.
“Unlike them, veterans and their families do not see themselves as victims. Their ‘woke’ agenda dies with veterans.”
Another insider said: “While you can understand it, he must be upset, it is a shame that Harry chose to say what he did, when he did.”
