Invictus Games issue statement as key staffer quits

By Hanisha Sethi, Royal Reporter

The winter Invictus Games were held in Canada (Image: Karwai Tang/WireImage)

Prince Harry's Invictus Games Foundation has issued a "farewell" statement to dedicated employee and former competitor, Mickaela Richards, who is leaving the foundation after a decade. Mickaela was a competitor at the inaugural Invictus Games London 2014, and since then has been an "instrumental" member.

The Invictus Games is an international adaptive multi-sport event for wounded, injured and sick service personnel - both serving and veterans. It was founded by Prince Harry and uses the power of sport to inspire recovery and support rehabilitation.

The CEO of the games, Rob Owen OBE, said: "We are saddened to see Mickaela go, and are immensely grateful for her contributions and commitment to our mission. We wish her every success in her next chapter. I look forward to growing what has been an incredible decade of changing lives and saving lives through the power of sport led by her and the team."

The Invictus Games will return to Birmingham in 2027 (Image: Eric Charbonneau/Invictus Games Foundation via Getty Images)

The statement issued by the Invictus Games Foundation read: "We would like to say farewell and thank you to our Grants and Programmes Director, Mickaela Richards, who after a decade of service to the Invictus Games Foundation will be moving on to her next chapter.

"Mickaela was a competitor at the inaugural Invictus Games London 2014, and since then has been instrumental in supporting our wounded, injured and sick service personnel and veteran community."

"Her commitment to using the power of sport and adventurous challenge for the recovery of her peers led to the development of We Are Invictus, our online community hub and platform.

"As we look ahead to our next decade, we are excited to continue to build and expand our support through the Invictus Games and our year round programming, international collaboration and community building to create life changing sports for recovery opportunities for those that have served."

New sports were introduced at the winter Invictus Games (Image: Karwai Tang/WireImage)

The Invictus Games will return to the UK in July 2027. The UK-backed bid went up against six cities around the world, and Birmingham won through its "strong commitment to the welfare and recovery" of serving personnel and veterans.

The Board of Trustees of the Invictus Games Foundation had previously shortlisted Birmingham UK and Washington DC, USA as the two final cities in the running for hosting the eighth Invictus Games.

The 2027 Games will be the first time the event has come home to the UK, since the Duke staged the inaugural tournament in London in 2014.

A home turf competition now raises the question as to whether Harry’s father, King Charles, his brother, the Prince of Wales and other members of the Royal Family will attend to support the event.