Prince Harry’s next Invictus Games in Canada – a country he and Meghan Markle love – are in “turmoil” after two senior executives were “sacked for no apparent reason” with just over a year to go, a whistleblower told Web today.
The Invictus Games will take place in Vancouver and Whistler in February 2025 and will include winter sports for the first time.
But Web can exclusively reveal that CEO Peter Lawless, a lawyer and arguably Canada’s most respected Olympic and Paralympic official, has abruptly left his job.
An insider claimed that Mr Lawless, who was awarded the Diamond Jubilee Medal by Harry’s grandmother the Queen in 2012, was sacked and morale among staff was now “at an all-time low”. An Invictus Games spokesperson declined to comment on whether he was fired, instead saying he had been “replaced” and was “no longer an employee” but would remain an ambassador.
Also leaving the Vancouver Whistler team is Bill Cooper, who held the role of Chief Commercial Officer for 10 months until his departure in October. He thanked his colleagues for their support after several praised his “mercy” and accused Invictus 2025 of making a huge mistake by getting rid of him.
A Games volunteer said staff are “concerned that these latest moves will once again overshadow this incredible event for our veterans.” They also raised concerns that the Sussexes’ security and other costs could put a strain on the Games’ finances if Invictus has to foot the bill in 2025.
Prince Harry, Duke of Sussex, and Meghan, Duchess of Sussex, at the Invictus Games in Germany. The next one is in Canada but has been rocked by the departure of senior staff
CEO Peter Lawless (pictured with Justin Trudeau) has suddenly left. Insiders claim he was fired. Invictus says he has been “replaced” and will be ambassador
In September in Düsseldorf, Meghan Markle showed off her charm as she accompanied Prince Harry at a reception hosted by the Canadian delegation to promote the 2025 Invictus Games, which will host winter sports for the first time
Prince Harry and Lieutenant Governor of Ontario Elizabeth Dowdeswell listen to Peter Lawless on stage during the Duke Edinburgh International Gold Award Winners Ceremony on the second day of the 2017 Invictus Games
He said the 2025 Games faced financial concerns, a claim disputed by an Invictus spokesman, despite the governments of Canada and British Columbia pledging nearly 20 million pounds ($30 million) to hold them of the games.
The whistleblower said: “CEO Peter Lawless and Chief Commercial Officer Bill Cooper were fired for no apparent reason.”
Also leaving the Vancouver Whistler team is Bill Cooper, who held the role of Chief Commercial Officer for 10 months until his departure in October
“This is a significant setback as the Games are just over a year away. I’m told they are well over budget and there is no plan to close the gap, even after securing $30 million in government support from the Province of British Columbia and the Canadian Federal Government’.
The volunteer claims that the departure of the CEO and chief commercial officer caused unrest internally.
He said: “As you would expect, morale among staff and volunteers is at an all-time low and Prince Harry and his wife, with all their problems, have become a significant distraction.”
“As volunteers, we are concerned that these recent moves will once again overshadow this incredible event for our veterans. ‘That’s enough’.
Web reached out to the Duke and Duchess of Sussex to comment on the departures and to ask whether they were involved in the decision to end Lawless and Cooper’s employment.
The governments of Canada and British Columbia have pledged to spend almost £20 million to host the Games in February 2025
The 42-year-old Duchess of Sussex chatted with members of the committee that will organize the games in Vancouver – a city they know well after she fled there in 2019 after leaving royal life
Their spokesman was also asked whether Harry and Meghan would cover their own travel, accommodation and security costs during the Invictus conference, which was last held in Düsseldorf, Germany, in September.
Peter Lawless, recipient of the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee Medal, will be an ambassador for the 2025 Games but is no longer employed there.
Prince Harry’s deep falling out with his family cast a shadow over the Invictus Games, claimed veterans who were “caught in the royal crossfire” this year.
The Duke of Sussex’s time with the army in Afghanistan inspired him to launch the sporting event in 2014, but the Prince and Princess of Wales were central to its initial success.
Nine years ago, Harry, his father and his brother stood together as one at the opening ceremony and several events at the Games in London – but the new king and his heir have not been involved at all since Harry met Meghan.
The Prince and Princess of Wales were both at the Rugby World Cup in France when Invictus was held in Germany, Charles and Queen Camilla and other senior royals were at the Highland Games.
Web has asked Peter Lawless to comment on his departure. Bill Cooper has confirmed his departure on LinkedIn.
Mr. Cooper announced his resignation on LinkedIn, politely calling it a “reshuffle.”
Mr. Cooper’s colleagues and friends on LinkedIn were puzzled by the decision
Colleagues and friends expressed shock and questioned the decision. Mr Cooper thanked them for their support.
One said: “Bill is shocked to hear this news.” The team will be well positioned under your current leadership. They share this news with great grace.”
Another wrote: “What an absolute disgrace and a huge loss. From where I stand it is very difficult for me to see any logic behind this decision.”
A third said: “Sorry to hear that, Bill.” You bring your trademark passion, energy and experience to everything you do and there is no doubt that this has been invaluable to IG 2025. The reasons for this decision are difficult to understand, but this is now in the rearview mirror… there are more great things ahead… it will always be for those who excel.
Mr Cooper replied: “Thank you for the statement of support.”
It came just two months after Harry and Meghan worked the charm at a reception for the Canadian delegation to promote the 2025 Invictus Games.
The 42-year-old Duchess of Sussex chatted with members of the committee that will organize the games in Vancouver – a city they know well after she fled there in 2019 after leaving royal life.
Meghan has close friends in the city and has great affection for Canada, having lived in Toronto while filming Suits.
The couple is very familiar with Vancouver, having temporarily moved there in 2019 when they split from the royal family.
They lived on Vancouver Island in a £14 million home in North Saanich, British Columbia, after deciding to step back from their roles as working members of the royal family.
The split was dubbed Megxit and the couple stayed in Canada for several months before moving to Montecito, California. Meghan talked to many participants who took part in the events in Düsseldorf.
And for the first time, adaptive winter sports such as alpine skiing, cross-country skiing and curling will be included in the program of week-long events and will be held in the resort town of Whistler.
It is not yet clear whether Invictus is looking for a new CEO and chief commercial officer in 2025.
A spokesperson said: “We can confirm that Peter Lawless and Bill Cooper are no longer employees of Invictus Games Vancouver Whistler 2025.”
“We would like to thank them for their efforts and support in bringing the Games back to Canada for the first winter hybrid edition of the Invictus Games and for building the organizational structure over the past year.”
“We are pleased that Peter will continue to support the Vancouver Whistler 2025 Games as Ambassador and CEO Emeritus.”
The spokesperson added: “There are no budget issues associated with the Invictus Games Vancouver Whistler 2025 and the organization is on track to meet its revenue, sponsorship and fundraising goals.”