Prince Harry’s Invictus Games initiative has recently run into a “couple of issues” amid previous claims that Meghan Markle disapproved of one of his pastimes.
The Royal Family’s fondness for hunting is no secret, with Queen Elizabeth herself partaking in deer stalking and princes Harry and William reportedly enjoying wild boar and stag hunts.
In his tell all memoir Spare, the duke reveals he just 15-years-old when he stalked and killed his first on the Royal Family’s Balmoral estate in Scotland.
However, Meghan’s discomfort led Harry to allegedly quit hunting and sell his prized rifles worth roughly £50,000, Gloucestershire Live reports.
While marksmanship remains part of the upcoming Invictus Games next month which Harry founded, there’s now a high-tech angle: competitors will use laser guns when shooting.
American veteran Christopher Bryde told Fieldsports Channel about the issues faced: “We had a couple of issues with the cold and some of the (laser) guns just not working. Also, snow seemed to obstruct some of the targets.”
Bryde recounted shooting flawlessly in five rounds but managing only a single target in another round as snow blocked the laser lens.
An Invictus Foundation spokesperson cited “inclusivity” as the key reason for introducing lasers, stating they are more accessible for individuals with disabilities.
Despite the snowy hiccups, officials were confident in ensuring equipment “readiness”, reaffirming that the problem with snow “wouldn’t be the case”.
Prince Harry is set to jet off to Canada next month for The Invictus Games Vancouver Whistler 2025, taking place in British Columbia from February 8-16. The event will see over 500 participants from more than 20 countries compete in a range of adaptive sports.
New winter sports like snowboarding, the biathlon and alpine skiing are on the agenda, according to the official website.
Last year, the duke, now living in California, paid a visit to St Paul’s Cathedral in London to mark the 10th anniversary of the Invictus Games, where he was spotted in a suit and his medals.
Harry, who completed two tours in Afghanistan during his decade-long military career and stepped back from royal duties in 2020, also journeyed to Nigeria with Meghan to champion the Invictus Games.
Besides his military service, the duke held several titles such as commodore-in-chief of small ships and diving and captain general of the Royal Marines.
However, these were stripped by his father, King Charles, when he stepped down.
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