Harry and Meghan given VVIP status for the Invictus games with 'high level multi-agency protection programme'

Harry and Meghan given VVIP status for the Invictus games with 'high level multi-agency protection programme'
Live stream 1069
Aden-Jay Wood

By Aden-Jay Wood


Published: 13/04/2022

- 20:51

Updated: 14/02/2023

- 11:10

The games is set to get underway on April 16 and run until April 22

Prince Harry and Meghan Markle have been given VVIP status for their upcoming visit the Netherlands for the Invictus Games.

The pair are due to be attendance for the games in The Hague which begin on April 16 and run until April 22.


A private security team will travel with Harry and Meghan during their stay.

While their team have also liaised with Dutch authorities and secured a “high level multi-agency protection programme”, sources have told the Mirror.

Prince Harry and Meghan Markle have received VVIP status for the Invictus Games
Prince Harry and Meghan Markle have received VVIP status for the Invictus Games
Caitlin Ochs

The Dutch national police’s DKDB Royal and the Diplomatic Security Service will lead the protection of the pair.

A source close to the Sussex camp said: “Harry and Meghan have received absolute top assurances that there is no credible threat to their safety.

“This is the view of the Dutch authorities and other agencies across the continent.

It was only announced on Monday evening that Meghan would join Harry at the games in the latest blow for the Queen.

Harry will be at the games in the Netherlands
Harry will be at the games in the Netherlands
CAITLIN OCHS

The Invictus Games was where the couple chose to make their first public appearance together almost five years ago.

Meghan made her first appearance at an official engagement attended by Harry on September 24, 2017 when she attended the Invictus Games opening ceremony in Toronto, Canada, although the pair sat about 18 seats apart.

The following day, the pair emerged hand in hand to make their first official public appearance together at the wheelchair tennis.

Speaking ahead of the games, the Duke of Sussex, who is also chief impact officer at professional coaching and mental health firm BetterUp, said: “At its heart, the Invictus Games is about empowering every single person around the world.

“It’s a worldwide display of resilience, determination, and community for which each of us can draw inspiration.

“I couldn’t think of a better new partner for the Invictus Games Foundation than the mental fitness platform BetterUp.

“The mind is like a muscle: it needs to be honed, trained, rehabbed, and coached.

“The men and women I served with understand this, the Invictus community knows this, and now the world is beginning to see it too.

“I’m honoured to bring the work we do at BetterUp to Invictus and look forward to expanding the support systems that service members and veterans depend on to achieve remarkable feats.”

You may like