By James Cartledge

Copyright birminghammail

The Duke of Sussex has hailed his Invictus Games – due to be held in Birmingham in 2027 – as an example of unity that could counter divisions based on politics or nationality. He spoke after visiting his father the King during his visit to the UK. Harry’s comments highlighting tensions around the globe were delivered to Invictus supporters, partners and competitors from the Paralympic-style games. READ MORE: Man accused of taking girl, 5, explains her being in his room after he had Mamba He hailed the first ten years of the project before setting out a vision for the coming decade which “matters even more”. Harry looked relaxed and smiled as he mingled with guests when he first arrived at the reception, staged at the Gherkin skyscraper, after spending time with his father. The much-anticipated meeting at Clarence House saw the pair reunited after 19 months apart over tea and they caught up over a chat that lasted more than 50 minutes. The private encounter may have lasted longer than planned as the prince arrived almost 40 minutes late to the Invictus event. He was also delayed by heavy traffic, due to an ongoing Tube strike, but arrived at the event staged at the Gherkin skyscraper relaxed and in good humour. When asked by a journalist how his father was, the duke replied “yes, he’s great, thank you”. After a reception where he met sponsors and supporters, the duke gave a speech and began by joking about his long journey across London to attend the event. He made his guests laugh when he said: “I think this whole thing has been delayed slightly, so at this point you’re all hammered – which was part of the plan all along, stuck up here at the top of the Gherkin.” Harry’s comments became serious when he said: “We live in a time when conflicts rage across the globe, when anger and resentment towards those who are different can feel overwhelming. “The Invictus community stands as a direct challenge to that. We prove unity is not just possible, but formidable. That the bonds of courage, respect and humanity are stronger than the divisions of politics, background or nationality. “Our ambition for the future is clear: we will focus where the need is great, we will strengthen the international community we have already built and we will continue to drive systemic change – ensuring that wounded, injured and sick service personnel everywhere can find recovery through sport, rehabilitation and the support of community.” As a former army officer the duke was inspired to found the global tournament for injured and wounded servicemen and women and veterans after seeing a similar sporting spectacle staged in the US which aided the rehabilitation of competitors. A year after visiting Colorado the duke staged the first Invictus Games in London’s Olympic Park in 2014 to widespread acclaim. Harry went on to stage the Games in Orlando in 2016, Toronto 2017, Sydney 2018, The Hague 2020, Dusseldorf (2023), and Vancouver-Whistler (2025) with Birmingham due to host the event in 2027. Rob Owen, chief executive officer of Invictus foundation, which oversees the delivery of the Invictus Games, said: “Our vision is a world where no wounded, injured or sick service person or veteran is left without the opportunity to recover, rebuild and thrive through the power of sport and community. “That’s why we’ve launched our new strategy today to catalyse systemic change across a growing international movement; focus our resources where the need is greatest, while also strengthening the community we have proudly served over the past ten years.”