The Duke of Sussex has posted an emotional video message to Twitter expressing his feeling about the postponement of the 2020 Invictus Games due to the coronavirus pandemic, which was set to take place in The Hague, The Netherlands in May.
Speaking in a video posted to the Invictus Games Foundation Twitter account, Harry said it had been an “incredibly difficult decision” with all alternatives looked at, but the final decision, to postpone the games until May or June next year was the “most sensible and the safest option” amid the current Covid-19 pandemic which has infected and killed thousands of people across the globe.
“I know how disappointed you must all be, this is a focus that so many of you need,” Harry said to the camera.
“I would encourage you to maintain that focus as best you can. The good thing is you have an extra 12 or so months to be even fitter, to get even fitter than you already to be your absolute top mental and physical fitness. So in that sense, I’m really excited about the games next year, I’m sorry that we couldn’t provide this for you.”
He encouraged the athletes to look after themselves and their families and each other, “Please take care of yourself and do what you do best, which is reaching out to other people, being that those who still wear the uniform or who used to work in the uniform, or just those people in your community that you know may be suffering or may be vulnerable during this period.”
Adding, “Do what you do best and we will do everything that we can to get you a date and a time for you to show up next year, you’ll be the first to know.
“So again, I’m really sorry that we couldn’t make this happen, but take care, look after yourselves and I’ll catch up with you soon.”
Prince Harry in The Hague last year to kick off the one-year countdown until the 2020 Invictus Games. (Image: Getty)
Prince Harry, who is currently based in Canada with Duchess Meghan and their 10-month-old son Archie, founded the Invictus Games Foundation and Games in 2014, the Paralympic-style competition brings together current and former wounded, injured or sick servicemen and women from around the world.
Having serviced in the military for 10 years himself and undertaking two tours of Afghanistan, supporting servicemen and women is incredibly important to the 35-year-old so it’s no doubt he will be heartbroken over the news.
Prince Harry at the very first Invictus Games in 2014. (Image: Getty)
The current Covid-19 pandemic has incredibly far-reaching effects around the world.
Earlier this week it was revealed Prince George and Princess Charlotte would switch to “remote learning” from home after their school Thomas’s Battersea announced they were closing their doors to try and curb the spread of the disease.
Buckingham Palace also announced the Queen had gone to Windsor Castle for her Easter Break one week earlier than planned as a precaution with the 93-year-old monarch sharing a message of solidarity to the world earlier today.
“As Philip and I arrive at Windsor today, we know that many individuals and families across the United Kingdom, and the world, are entering a period of great concern and uncertainty,” the Queen begins.
“We are all being advised to change our normal routines and regular patterns of life for the greater good of the communities we live in and, in particular, to protect the most vulnerable within them.
“At times such as these, I am reminded that our nation’s history has been forged by people and communities coming together to work as one, concentrating our combined efforts with a focus on the common goal.”
She continues, “We are enormously thankful for the expertise and commitment of our scientists, medical practitioners and emergency and public services; but now more than any time in our recent past, we all have a vitally important part to play as individuals – today and in the coming days, weeks and months.
“Many of us will need to find new ways of staying in touch with each other and making sure that loved ones are safe. I am certain we are up to that challenge. You can be assured that my family and I stand ready to play our part,” she concluded, signing the letter, “Elizabeth R”.
The message, shared to the Royal Family’s social media accounts was also shared by the Cambridges and the Sussexes and follows their own messages addressing the current pandemic earlier this week in which Prince William shared a video message encouraging people to come together while the Sussexes shared a similar message saying now more than ever “we need each other for truth, for support, and to feel less alone during a time that can honestly feel quite scary”.
