Mystery ensues as Meghan Markle’s key role in Invictus Games closing ceremony disappears from media schedule

7 September 2023, 14:27 | Updated: 7 September 2023, 15:23

Meghan was originally set to 'take to the stage' during the closing ceremony.
Meghan was originally set to 'take to the stage' during the closing ceremony. Picture: Alamy

By Jenny Medlicott

Meghan Markle’s planned role in Prince Harry’s Invictus Games has been removed from the media schedule leaving some puzzled.

Listen to this article

Loading audio...

Meghan Markle was set to ‘take to the stage’ for the closing ceremony of her husband’s Invictus Games to host a segment about the competitors, according to the event’s official guide.

But now a new separate listing on the website has removed all mentions of the Duchess of Sussex in a move that has left many puzzled about the role she will take on at the games.

On a new ‘detailed schedule’ listed on the website, presenter Hadnet Tesfai is noted down as the duchess' replacement for the closing ceremony.

The original passage on the media schedule, which has since been deleted, said that Meghan would “take to the stage to host the intimate and moving glimpse into the extraordinary journeys of the Invictus Games competitors”.

But it now seems this passage was uploaded in error, sources told the Daily Mail.

It follows the launch of Prince Harry’s five-part docuseries about the Invictus Games on Netflix last month.

Meghan Markle appears in the five-party documentary series, although only in a brief number of scenes.

Meghan's role at the Invictus Games seems to have disappeared from the schedule.
Meghan's role at the Invictus Games seems to have disappeared from the schedule. Picture: Getty

Read more: Prince Harry will ‘never forgive’ King Charles for revoking honorary military titles after he stepped down as senior royal

Read more: Harry among star-studded crowd as Messi shines in win for Inter Miami in LA

The games are an adaptive sports competition launched by Harry in 2014 for injured service personnel and veterans.

Harry is set to fly to Dusseldorf on Saturday for the games from the UK - it will follow his brief trip to the UK for the annual WellChild awards, a charity he has been a patron of for 15 years.

His flight to Germany will also fall the day after the first anniversary of the Queen’s death on Friday.

Harry’s arrival in Germany is expected to coincide with a demonstration at Dusseldorf town hall, with activists claiming that the Invictus Games will be be used by the German military to recruit students to the armed forces.

A spokesman for the Invictus Games said that one of the games' “aims is to stimulate social discourse on the topics of the military and foreign missions”, adding that “there are – at no time – elements of recruitment for the Bundeswehr”.

More Latest News

See more More Latest News

Domestic cat balancing on garden fence, Bavaria, Germany, Europe

Police hunt mystery cat coiffeur after felines in rural Lincolnshire village return home missing patches of fur

Liam Payne and Maya Henry

Liam Payne 'smoked heroin and sexted fans': Bombshell revelations as ex-fiancee breaks silence on star's death

Exclusive
Bridget Phillipson has said Yvette Cooper will 'make sure' vetting of Metropolitan Police officers is 'overhauled'

Home secretary will ensure 'overhaul' of Met vetting process following controversial High Court ruling, Phillipson says

Exclusive
James Cleverly

James Cleverly slams 'Orwellian' assisted dying bill as High Court judge sign-off to be scrapped

The Church of England's governing body has voted against a fully independent safeguarding body

Church of England vote 'a punch in the gut for victims' as Synod rejects independent safeguarding

Oliver Ryan and Andrew Gwynne have been suspended

Eleven Labour councillors suspended for being part of offensive WhatsApp group after two MPs also punished

A major travel agent has urged families to go on holiday during Easter rather than the summer

Save thousands by going on holiday at Easter instead of summer, British families told

Benjamin Netanyahu has threatened to tear up the ceasefire deal

Netanyahu’s ultimatum to Hamas: Return hostages by Saturday deadline or ceasefire gives way to 'intense fighting'

Sir Alex Ferguson and Wayne Rooney were in attendance at Denis Law's funeral

Stars pay final respects to Denis Law as Manchester United legend laid to rest

Strangers bar is to reopen following spiking allegation

MPs bar to reopen with extra security after spiking claims

The bodies of Andrew Searle and his wife Dawn were discovered by a neighbour

Post-mortem results reveal fatal injuries of British couple found dead at home in rural French village

Salman Rushdie gives evidence in court as author gives evidence against alleged knife attacker

Salman Rushdie gives evidence in court as author gives evidence against alleged knife attacker

The Huszti sisters

Bodies recovered from river in Scotland confirmed as missing sisters

Bargain Hunt star Charles Hanson arrives at Derby Crown Court, where he is charged with assault occasioning actual bodily harm between May 13 and 17 2020 and engaging in controlling or coercive behaviour between May 2015 and June 2023,

Wife of Bargain Hunt star 'paralysed with fear' when husband Charles Hanson 'attacked' her while pregnant

Luis Rubiales is on trial in Madrid accused of sexual assault for kissing Jenni Hermoso on the lips

Spanish football chief Luis Rubiales 'absolutely sure' kiss with Jenni Hermoso after World Cup win was consensual

Pedstrian faced half an hour queues on Hammersmith Bridge this morning

Commuter chaos as footway closure causes 30-minute pedestrian traffic jam on Hammersmith Bridge