Prince Harry, the Duke of Sussex, recently embarked on a public engagement in Birmingham, England, as he continues his return to duties in the UK. His visit, which took place on 18 September 2026, marks an important milestone as Birmingham prepares to host the Invictus Games in July 2027, a major sporting event for wounded and injured service personnel.
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On this occasion, the Duke visited Ninestiles School, where he took part in a lively session of pickleball, a sport being introduced at the upcoming Games. The involvement with students and supporters of the Invictus Games highlighted Harry’s commitment to promoting the initiative, which emphasises the healing power of sports for those who have served in the military.
The Birmingham outing followed his appearance at the inaugural Invictus Spirit Awards, held the previous evening. During this event at the Old Royal Naval College in Greenwich, Prince Harry expressed his joy at returning to the UK, stating, “It’s good to be back on British soil.” This appearance marked his first public outing since returning to the UK with his family, although his wife Meghan Markle was not present. Notably, Meghan served as one of the judges for the awards ceremony.
Harry’s presence at the awards event was well-received, with award recipient Ken Fisher sharing his admiration for the Duke. He remarked that Harry has a unique ability to uplift the atmosphere of any room he enters. The awards were timely, coinciding with increased media scrutiny surrounding his family, including the release of a new book by Charles Spencer, Prince Harry’s uncle, which discusses their late mother, Princess Diana.
During his visit to Ninestiles School, Prince Harry also launched INSPIRE, an initiative designed to bring the values and resources of the Invictus Games into classrooms across the UK. This programme has been developed in collaboration with educators and aims to foster resilience, teamwork, and adaptability among students. The initiative is expected to reach schools in the West Midlands over the coming year.
Harry was joined during his school visit by former competitors of the Invictus Games, including Squadron Leader Samantha May, who is also a doctor at Birmingham Children’s Hospital. Together, they participated in both pickleball and a Year 9 STEM lesson focused on prosthetic design. This session allowed students to engage with real-world applications of science and engineering, benefiting from the insights of those who have firsthand experience in overcoming physical challenges.
In an assembly attended by around 200 students, discussions centred around themes of service, recovery, and the role of sport in building resilience. Samantha May praised the programme, saying, “The experiences of the Armed Forces community can teach young people so much about teamwork and resilience.”
Helen Helliwell, CEO of Birmingham Invictus Games, echoed this sentiment, explaining that the INSPIRE programme extends beyond sports. It aims to incorporate the stories and experiences of competitors into educational curricula, offering students meaningful lessons on recovery and potential. She expressed satisfaction with the engagement of pupils during the programme’s introduction, noting the importance of building connections with the themes of the Invictus Games long before the event occurs.
As the preparations for Birmingham 2027 heat up, the INSPIRE initiative reflects a commitment to creating lasting impacts on the community, harnessing the forthcoming Games as an opportunity to foster a greater understanding of the sacrifices made by service personnel and the transformative power of sport. The early engagement and enthusiasm from students showcase the potential of programmes like INSPIRE to inspire a new generation, reinforcing the values at the heart of the Invictus movement.
With ticket sales set to commence next month, interest in the upcoming Games continues to build, offering individuals across the UK a chance to witness the profound stories of resilience and determination as shared through the lens of sport.