Prince Harry appears to be raising the stakes in his role with the Invictus Games.
Once celebrated as his passion project and a symbol of his commitment to veterans, he is now reportedly seeking a significant salary increase. Not just a modest raise—Harry is asking for a staggering $1.5 million annually to serve as the patron of the Games. This lofty sum raises questions: what exactly does he bring to the table? Showing up, waving to crowds, and delivering a few heartfelt speeches hardly seem to warrant such a hefty paycheck.
It’s worth noting that Prince Harry didn’t originate the concept of the Invictus Games. The idea was primarily developed by Sir Keith Mills, with support from the UK Ministry of Defence and backing from the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge. While Harry has played a key role in promoting the Games and has become their public face, he was not the sole architect. Nonetheless, he has a knack for aligning himself with successful ventures, and over time, he’s positioned himself as the face of the event. Now, it seems he believes this warrants a level of compensation typically reserved for groundbreaking innovators.
Reports indicate that Harry already earns $500,000 annually for his role as patron, primarily for lending his name and attending events. Yet he now seeks to triple that amount, demanding $1.5 million. This puts Scott Moore, the newly appointed CEO of the Invictus Games, in a tough position. Moore, likely drawn to the role out of a passion for supporting veterans, now faces the challenge of managing the demands of a man who appears increasingly disconnected from reality. Unsurprisingly, Moore rejected the request. After all, Harry’s contributions to the Games are largely ceremonial—he’s a figurehead rather than a hands-on advocate for the athletes.
Adding to the drama, Meghan Markle has also inserted herself into the narrative. Rather than drawing attention to the athletes and the cause, she has often made Invictus events about herself. This only amplifies the impression that the couple is more focused on self-promotion than on the veterans the Games aim to support.
What’s truly perplexing is the audacity of such demands for payment tied to charity work. Charity, at its core, is about dedicating time and effort to others, not treating the platform as a lucrative side hustle. Yet for Harry, it seems to have become just that—a source of personal profit. Despite the rhetoric about the Games being his passion project, his demand for a massive salary suggests otherwise. The veterans who participate in the Games deserve more attention and resources than they are currently receiving, and certainly more than the couple’s personal bank accounts.
Scott Moore’s decision to reject Harry’s request represents a rare moment of clarity in this saga—a small victory for common sense. Hopefully, it allows the focus to return to the true heroes of the Invictus Games: the athletes. Their resilience, dedication, and sacrifices should remain at the heart of this endeavor, not overshadowed by two individuals seemingly more interested in the spotlight than the cause.
