Prince Harry, also known as the Duke of Sussex, encountered a frosty and unwelcoming reception upon his arrival in California on Tuesday for the Invictus Games, an event he established in 2014 to honor wounded veterans.
Despite residing in California with his wife Meghan Markle after stepping back from the royal family in 2020, the prince was met with protests and insults from the CEO of the Invictus Games, Scott Moore.
Moore’s outburst, captured on video and widely shared on social media, has set the stage for a tense confrontation between Prince Harry and the event organizers.
The Invictus Games, boasting 500 competitors from 20 nations, hold significant personal importance for Prince Harry, who initiated them following his military service in Afghanistan.
Originally slated to take place in The Hague, Netherlands in 2020 but delayed due to the pandemic, the Games were rescheduled for California in 2025 with the backing of local authorities and the U.S. government.
However, Prince Harry’s relocation to California with Meghan Markle, the Duchess of Sussex, has sparked discord within the Invictus Games community, particularly with CEO Scott Moore, a former British Army officer and veteran.
Moore has openly expressed his discontent with the couple, labeling them as self-serving, disloyal, and hypocritical.
Accusing them of undermining the core values of the Games for personal gain, Moore has criticized their alleged interference in event planning, demands for special treatment, extravagant lifestyle, high security costs, and environmental insincerity.
Tensions boiled over when Moore confronted Prince Harry at the airport upon his arrival via private jet, publicly denouncing him as a traitor, coward, and disgrace to the military and veterans.
In the face of Moore’s verbal onslaught, Prince Harry remained composed, attempting to pacify the situation by expressing regret for any misunderstandings and reaffirming his dedication to the Games and veterans.
Despite extending an olive branch to Moore, urging him to cease the public altercation and uphold the Games’ integrity, Prince Harry faced continued hostility.
Moore’s relentless barrage of insults persisted, prompting Prince Harry to retreat to his vehicle accompanied by his security team and staff.
As Moore vowed to disrupt Prince Harry’s involvement in the Games and intensify opposition from the Invictus Games community, the rift between the prince and the event organizers deepened.
The clash between Prince Harry’s personal choices and the expectations of the Invictus Games community underscores the complex dynamics at play, raising questions about loyalty, responsibility, and the intersection of personal and professional commitments.
Amidst the escalating tensions, the future of Prince Harry’s role in the Invictus Games remains uncertain, with the specter of further discord looming over the once-celebrated event.
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