Prince Harry's 2027 Invictus Games Has Shortlisted 2 Host Cities & the Final Pick Might Be Strategic

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It’s no secret that Prince Harry’s Invictus Games is a huge success. While not everyone loved his best-selling memoir, Spare, and the much-watched Netflix docuseries, Harry & Meghan, his critics can’t deny that the Duke of Sussex’s sporting event for wounded, injured and sick servicemen and women is a massive hit around the globe. 

Just last summer during the games in Düsseldorf, Germany, the Daily Mail seemed confounded by the fact that “only positive headlines are being used to describe the Duke and Duchess of Sussex.” A reporter for Germany’s Bild newspaper had to spell out the truth to the British tabloid. “I think people are very interested to see how they are together and their dynamics as a couple.,” they explained. “They are very popular here. You only have to see how hundreds of people waited in the market square outside the town hall to try and see them. It was the same the previous year when they came to start the countdown to the games.” 

Harry and Meghan Markle hope to bring that magic to one city in 2027, and the Invictus Games revealed the two cities that are in contention: Washington, D.C. and Birmingham, England — the U.S. versus the U.K. The British government has been quite vocal about trying to court the Duke of Sussex into picking Birmingham for the games. They made a significant investment (over $32 million!!!) to back the bid — they want Harry’s passion project in his home country. It would be quite the story if he chose to bring the games back to the U.K. where they first began — and it would also foster goodwill and nice PR, so it could be a strategic decision. 

On the flip side, choosing Washington, D.C. would also be a power move. It’s an opportunity to have high-powered political figures come and support the Invictus Games. If President Biden won the 2024 election, it would be a natural fit for him and First Lady Dr. Jill Biden to watch the events, especially since they are huge supporters of the military and their families. It would also align with what Harry admitted to Good Morning America in February that he “loves every single day” of his life in California. There’s no better way to tell everyone you love living in the U.S.A. by giving the games to America’s political headquarters. 

The Invictus Games’ announcement on X did not indicate when they will make their final decision, but the two contenders will have to fight it out until the end. Which city will Harry choose? The answer might offer clues about his post-royal life and where he’s hoping to take his career in the future. 

Before you go, click here to find out which tell-all books expose major royal family secrets.