Royal | News - Prince Ricardo De La Cerda
A Birmingham MP has made his feelings clear about Prince Harry returning to the UK in 2027 for the next Invictus Games.
The Duke of Sussex wrapped up the seventh edition of the tournament on Sunday, looking visibly moved during the closing ceremony in Canada.
More than 12,000 people filled the Rogers Arena in Vancouver to farewell the 2025 event. The games’ founding patron attended several events throughout the week, including an indoor rowing event on Sunday where he was joined by Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau.
Harry said in his closing speech: “And so long as the challenges around us demand it and require it… the Games will go on,” Harry told the crowd. Bring on Invictus Games Birmingham 2027. You have permission to party.”
Now, Veterans Minister Al Carns, who is the MP for Selly Oak in Birmingham praised the duke for his commitment to the Games and insisted the Government will back Harry’s efforts for the 2027 event.
Mr Carns, who also attended the tournament in Canada on Saturday, said that Prince Harry was an “amazing patron” and that Birmingham would rise to the challenge for the next Games.
He told The Telegraph: “We will get behind it, I can guarantee you.
“Birmingham has really good spirit and the UK is increasingly involved and committed to delivering support to its veterans.”
The 44-year-old, a former Royal Marine Colonel who served in Afghanistan, even sat down with the duke for breakfast last Friday to discuss the 2027 Games, according to the outlet.
He revealed: “We talked about how we can broaden out the Games from an international perspective, make it connect more into society, how we could connect it into schools and make sure people know about it from a young age.
“It’s going to be amazing. We’re going to try and build a real festival feel. Birmingham has good pedigree in running big events, like the Commonwealth Games.”