Edward Lane Fox, Harry's guide, steps down from Invictus: report by Alison Boshoff
In the world of charity, the Invictus Games Foundation has seen a series of notable changes in recent times.
Prince Harry, the patron and founder of the organisation, has been instrumental in attracting high-profile donors, as evidenced by the contributions from billionaire benefactors. However, a rift with Sentebale's chairwoman, Sophie Chandauka, resulted in Harry's departure from the charity he previously managed, following claims that his 'toxic brand' had negatively impacted donations.
The Invictus Games Foundation, too, has experienced changes. JJ Chalmers, a Royal Marine reservist and gold medallist at the Invictus Games, has parted ways with the charity. This departure was followed by reports suggesting that some within the charity think it might be time for Prince Harry to step away. Edward Lane Fox, a former captain in the Household Cavalry and Prince Harry's private secretary for five years, also left the charity this year.
Despite these departures, the charity has reported an increase in income. In 2024, Invictus reported £3.8million, up from £2.7million in 2023. Some of this income comes from donations from a group of wealthy benefactors, totalling £1.6million.
Notably, Amazon is a significant donor to Invictus, but the exact amount it contributes to the charity's income remains undisclosed. Other donors include Netflix, BetterUp, and Travalyst, where Meghan Markle holds paid consultancies.
Meghan Markle, who fronts the Archewell Foundation, has been focusing on her philanthropic ventures. She has separated her brands, with As Ever and media ventures like podcasts and Netflix show With Love, Meghan, taking the forefront.
Prince Harry, too, is making a return to the UK this week to present the WellChild Awards. It remains unclear if Netflix's donations to Invictus will continue following a significant downgrade in their arrangement with Harry and Meghan.
As for the future of Invictus, Rob Owen OBE, the CEO of the Invictus Games Foundation, has assured that Prince Harry is not leaving his role as patron and founder of the charity. If Harry were to resign, it is suggested that they would have no trouble finding a new royal patron, given the charity's deep military connection with the Royal Family.
However, the added military connection seems to have created a divide. The unresolved issues between Harry and his family, and the public attacks on the Royal Family, have led to speculation that Charles, Camilla, and Prince William may not want to be seen alongside Harry in future events.
In the face of these changes, Invictus continues its mission, providing support for wounded, injured, or sick armed services personnel and veterans. The charity's commitment to its cause remains undeterred, even as it navigates through these challenging times.
