Prince Harry Heading to London Next Month for Poignant Anniversary Service
The Duke of Sussex is to attend the tenth anniversary service for his Invictus Games at St. Paul’s Cathedral

DUSSELDORF, GERMANY – SEPTEMBER 16: Prince Harry, Duke of Sussex speaks on stage during the closing ceremony of the Invictus Games Düsseldorf 2023 at Merkur Spiel-Arena on September 16, 2023 in Duesseldorf, Germany.
Photo:
Joshua Sammer/Getty

Prince Harry is celebrating his Invictus Games!

The Duke of Sussex, 39, is heading to London on May 8 for a special tenth anniversary commemoration of his paralympic-style games for former and serving armed forces members, it was confirmed on Sunday April 28.

The inaugural Invictus Games kicked off 10 years ago in London in 2014, and the anniversary is being marked with a service at St. Paul’s Cathedral, in the heart of the city. Harry will give a reading at the service.

Homeland actor Damian Lewis is to recite the Invictus poem — the writer of the poem, William Henley, is commemorated with a memorial bust in the Crypt of the cathedral — during the service.

The service is expected to be attended by representatives from across the Invictus Games participating nations, including members of the wounded, injured and sick service personnel and veteran community. Members of the community, supporters, and beneficiaries will also give readings and take part in the service, which will be led by The Very Reverend Andrew Tremlett who is the Dean of St Paul’s.

DUSSELDORF, GERMANY – SEPTEMBER 06: Prince Harry, Duke of Sussex attends a press conference at the Merkur Spiel Arena during the Invictus Games Dusseldorf 2023 – One Year To Go launch event on September 06, 2022 in Dusseldorf, Germany. The Invictus Games will be held in Germany for the first time in September 2023.
Prince Harry, Duke of Sussex attends a press conference at the Merkur Spiel Arena during the Invictus Games Dusseldorf 2023 – One Year To Go launch event on September 06, 2022 in Dusseldorf, Germany.
Joshua Sammer/Getty

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Since the games started in London they have taken place around the world, including in Orlando, Florida, Sydney, and Dusseldorf. Next year, the first winter games will be held in Whistler, Canada — with Harry and his wife Meghan Markle visiting the ski resort in February this year to kick off the one year countdown to the event.

The April 28 news comes a few days after Harry honored an Invictus veteran, Elizabeth Marks, by presenting her with the prestigious Military Times Soldier of the Year Award on April 24.

LONDON, ENGLAND – MARCH 26: Damian Lewis attends the 2024 HvH Arts McCrory Award exhibition at the Alon Zakaim Fine Art Gallery on March 26, 2024 in London, England.
Damian Lewis attends the 2024 HvH Arts McCrory Award exhibition at the Alon Zakaim Fine Art Gallery on March 26, 2024 in London. Lewis will recite the Invictus poem at the Invictus Games anniversary event in May.
Dave Benett/Getty

“I first met Sergeant First Class Elizabeth Marks at the Invictus Games in Orlando 2016, where I presented her with not one, but four gold medals that she’d won in swimming,” Harry said via video from his home in Montecito, California.

“To me, she epitomizes the courage, resilience and determination represented across our service community. And this is not just because of her swimming abilities,” he added.

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Indeed, he praised Marks for the support she has shown to the Invictus Games, including coaching teams from both Ukraine and Colombia “when they’ve needed it the most.”