Tom Bower’s forthcoming book Betrayal makes explosive claims about Prince Harry and Meghan’s involvement in the Invictus Games, prompting a strong response from the FoundationNiamh Kirk Lifestyle Writer and Sophia Papamavroudi
09:32, 14 Mar 2026Updated 09:32, 14 Mar 2026
The Duchess and Duke of Sussex during the 2025 Invictus Games(Image: PA Archive/PA Images)
Prince Harry‘s Invictus Games foundation has ferociously hit back at “disrespectful” claims that that the event has become a PR stunt designed to provide a “global stage” for Meghan Markle.
In his soon-to-be-released book, Betrayal: Power, Deceit and the Fight for the Future of the Royal Family, extracts of which have been serialised by The Times Magazine, Tom Bower delves into the ongoing, tense relationship between the Houses of Sussex and Windsor.
The book highlights alleged internal concerns, including from former Invictus Foundation head Dominic Reid, that sport and competitors were being overshadowed and that the Games had become “the Harry and Meghan show”.
It also claims that there was poor attendance at events and alleges crowd “padding” occurred for the cameras, as well as suggesting that competitors and families were being overshadowed by tightly controlled photo opportunities.
It comes as the couple also issued a scathing statement, jointly slamming the book, which has also claimed that the Queen thought Meghan had ‘brainwashed’ Harry.
READ MORE: Queen’s chilling ‘brainwashed’ claim as Meghan and Harry’s ‘betrayal’ exposed
Prince Harry first launched the Invictus Games in 2014(Image: Getty)
A spokesperson for the Invictus Games Foundation stated: “It is disappointing to see The Times give prominence to commentary that appears driven by a long-established agenda rather than a genuine understanding of the Invictus Games and the community it supports.
“The Foundation exists to support the recovery and rehabilitation of wounded, injured and sick service personnel and veterans from around the world. Attempts to question the legitimacy of competitors or diminish the experiences of those living with both physical injuries and invisible wounds such as PTSD are deeply disrespectful to the men and women the Games were created for,” reports the Express.
READ MORE: Prince Harry and Meghan Markle issue furious statement in response to bombshell claims
“The focus should remain where it belongs – on the courage, recovery and camaraderie of those who have served.” The Invictus Games are Prince Harry’s passion project, first launched in 2014 to help wounded, injured and sick military service personnel, both serving and veterans, both physically and mentally.
In the book, Mr Bower makes some explosive claims about how Meghan allegedly wanted to use Prince Harry’s Invictus Games platform as a “global stage for genuine admiration and cheering fans”.
He writes: “Meghan needed a global stage for genuine admiration and cheering fans. To her good fortune, Harry agreed that she could star at the Invictus Games, which he was about to open in Canada. Just before flying up to Vancouver in a private jet, she alerted her Instagram followers.”
He recounted how Harry and Meghan “insisted” on being addressed as “Ma’am and Sir” and claimed the organisers thought of them as being “pushy,” with “exorbitant” expenses for security, accommodation and a private jet
Prince William and Prince Harry(Image: Martin Meissner/AP/REX/Shutterstock)
He claimed Nick Booth, the chief executive of the Games, had been “parachuted into the post” after the dismissal of two Canadian executives who “resented” Harry and Meghan.
Mr Bower writes: “Booth was classed as a sycophant by the ousted executives. As Harry’s doorkeeper, Booth used the prince, alias an ‘attractive asset’, as a fundraiser to secure more money, to arrange TV coverage and tilt the media’s focus firmly towards the glamour of Harry and Meghan.”
He claims the former executives considered Meghan to be “a distraction from the injured veterans,” with one of them stating: “She’s bling, not rehabilitation. Harry can’t decide whether Invictus should be styled on the Olympics or a more intimate warrior games embracing the military family.”
The executives reportedly cautioned that the competition would “once again be ignored by the media after the star-studded opening pop concert at the BC Place stadium.”
Mr Bower alleged: “Their criticism was echoed by Dominic Reid, the long-time head of the Invictus Foundation. Past coverage, admitted Reid, had been ‘disappointing’.”
He added: “Reid blamed the Invictus leaders for allowing the games to become the Harry and Meghan show.”
Last month, royal expert Jennie Bond has claimed that all signs point to Harry looking to wave the “white flag” of peace with his brother and royal relatives, with Invictus Games proving the perfect opportunity for reconciliation.
“Harry may be looking for an opportunity to establish a peace treaty, the expert wrote for the i newspaper.
“And that could be his Invictus Games, which will be held in Birmingham next year. Charles, Camilla and William were all on parade to support Harry at the inaugural games in 2014. Is it possible that they’ll be there again? It could present the perfect platform for a public reconciliation.”
However, Jennie points out that so far, the Prince of Wales does not seem keen to make up with his brother. “Prince William has, as yet, shown absolutely no interest in mending the rift with his brother,” the expert writes, claiming that William has been notoriously stubborn over the years, and has never responded well to people telling him what to do.