New announcement made over Prince Harry’s beloved even as duke set for exciting role
Prince Harry has announced a brand new awards event under the Invictus Games banner, marking a significant expansion of the movement he founded more than a decade ago. The Invictus Spirit Gala Dinner and Awards will take place in London this September, celebrating individuals who reflect the resilience, courage and determination at the heart of the Invictus community.
The new awards aim to recognise not only wounded, injured and sick service personnel and veterans, but also civilians who have played a meaningful role in supporting recovery through sport and adventure. According to the Invictus Games Foundation, nominations are open to anyone who has helped strengthen the community or contributed to the wellbeing of its members.
The judging panel will include representatives from the Invictus Games Foundation, presenting partner ATCO, and Prince Harry himself. Nominations opened on January 23, 2026, and will close on March 8, 2026. Winners will be announced at the London gala later in the year.
What the Invictus Spirit Awards will honour
The event will present five awards in total. The Invictus Resilience Award will recognise individuals or organisations who have shown exceptional strength and perseverance in the face of adversity. The Invictus Community Award will celebrate teamwork and long term commitment to growing and supporting the Invictus network, while the Invictus Community of Nations Award will honour those who promote inclusion and recovery through sport on an international level.
The Invictus Champion Award will recognise individuals who have provided outstanding financial or practical support to the movement. From the shortlisted finalists, one recipient will be chosen for the Overall Invictus Spirit Award, which honours a person who truly embodies the values and mission of Invictus.
Looking ahead to the 2027 Invictus Games
The announcement comes ahead of the 2027 Invictus Games, which will be held in Birmingham from July 10 to July 17, 2027. The event will welcome 550 competitors from 25 nations and will be hosted across the National Exhibition Centre and the Sandwell Aquatics Centre. It will mark the first time the Games have returned to the UK since the inaugural event in 2014.
Beyond the sporting significance, the 2027 Games could also carry emotional weight for the royal family. According to reports, Prince Harry has invited King Charles to join him on stage to open the Games. If accepted, the gesture could represent a meaningful step toward reconciliation following years of strained relations.
Royal commentators have noted that while Invictus is Harry’s most personal and enduring achievement, the situation places the King in a delicate position, particularly given Harry’s ongoing estrangement from Prince William. William last attended the Invictus Games in 2014 and is not expected to appear in 2027. The brothers are also believed not to have spoken since Queen Elizabeth II’s funeral in 2022, with tensions further heightened after the release of Harry’s memoir, Spare.
