Prince Harry Pulls Off Surprise Invictus Win After Months of Setbacks
An unexpected development surrounding Prince Harry’s Invictus project has sparked relief after months of setbacks and growing uncertainty.
If you have been keeping up with the news, Prince Harry’s Invictus Games Foundation has been facing some serious setbacks in recent times. One of the biggest was when the Australian government decided to pull the funding from the charity, leaving it struggling to even send a team to the 2027 Invictus Games in Birmingham. However, the decision has since been reversed following a massive outcry from the veteran community.
Veterans' Affairs Minister Matt Keogh confirmed that federal funding for Invictus Australia will continue for another three years, revealing the dramatic U-turn during an appearance on A Current Affair. For Harry and the charity, it marks a much-needed piece of good news after weeks of uncertainty.
Keogh said, “As part of establishing the new Veterans' and Families' Wellbeing Agency, we're transitioning funding for broader wellbeing support to the veteran community to that new agency.” He continued, “As we transition in order to maintain continuity and certainty of support services for our veteran community, we're providing another three years of funding to Invictus Australia.”
The sudden backlash began after Australia’s May 12 budget delivered an unexpected blow, completely wiping out the government’s financial commitment to Invictus Australia. For many veterans, the decision felt deeply personal. The organization serves as far more than a coordinator to organize sporting events; it also helps former service members and their families rebuild connections, confidence, and community support, with government grants playing a major role alongside donations and corporate backing.
Air Force veteran Rachel Kerrigan reacted by saying, “It broke my heart. I literally cried.” She described the move as "such a slap in the face." Navy veteran Luke, who served for almost 20 years, echoed that disappointment by saying, “All we're after—after our loyalty and service—is just a bit of help." For many, the organization’s rehabilitation programs have become a vital source of support for those navigating physical and mental health struggles.
The reversal was welcomed with clear relief by Invictus Australia’s leadership. CEO Michael Hartung said, “We thank the federal government for reviewing the decision to discontinue funding for Invictus Australia and are delighted that veterans and their families will be able to continue to benefit from our world-leading program in the years ahead.”
The funding scare is only the latest challenge Invictus and Harry faced in recent months. Ahead of the 2027 Birmingham Games, the charity was dealt another setback when key board member Melloney Poole stepped down despite being seen as a major asset to the organization.
Harry has also faced criticism from parts of the veteran community over comments in Spare about his Afghanistan service, with retired Colonel Tim Collins among those calling the remarks inappropriate. Against that backdrop, Australia’s funding U-turn feels like a rare piece of positive news for the project.
