Prince Harry and Meghan Markle fans accuse ITV of trying to 'sabotage' the Sussexes after delays to Invictus Games coverage

Fans of Prince Harry and Meghan Markle have accused ITV of trying to ‘sabotage’ the Sussexes after their Invictus Games coverage was delayed. 

ITV was announced as the official UK broadcaster for the Games last month, with a deal to show nine days of highlights and the Opening Ceremony acts. 

This year’s Games – which are the first to incorporate winter sports, are currently being held in Vancouver and Whistler, and are due to finish on February 16.  

But frustrated fans took to social media over the weekend to complain that they were still unable to watch the events – with some even accusing the news corporation of trying to ‘sabotage’ the Sussexes. 

Others claimed veterans were being ‘snubbed’ and that the coverage was ‘spitefully’ not being aired. 

However, ITV have since confirmed that coverage was limited due to an agreement to only show highlights of the event and any delays were due to coordination and time zone issues. 

They wrote on social media: ‘Hi there. Our coverage for the Invictus Games was limited to showing only the highlights of the event. 

‘Due to coordination with the production team of the games and varying local time zones, there was a delay in making the highlights available on our service.’

Fans of Prince Harry and Meghan Markle have accused ITV of trying to ‘sabotage’ the Sussexes after their Invictus Games coverage was delayed

ITV added: ‘Just to let you know, sadly, the rest of the episodes may also be delayed in coming to our service due to the time zones. This is something out of our control.’

Highlights of the first three days of the Invictus Games are now available to stream on ITVX. 

However, the opening ceremony – which featured performances from Chris Martin and Katy Perry – is yet to be uploaded. 

Furious fans had taken to X, formerly Twitter, to write: ‘Why are you still not showing the Invictus games??? Absolutely shocking there’s no coverage of our brave men and women,you should be truly ashamed!!’

Another theorised: ‘My opinion. Looks like secured the exclusive rights to cover invictus in UK and then just decided not to show it. I hope the foundation thinks through how they broadcast it in 2027 cos the U.K. will remain spiteful as long as positive coverage for Invictus is concerned;l

Others said: ‘The decision to BASICALLY snub veterans whose lives are forever changed in fighting for your country simply to stick it to Prince Harry is truly galling’;

‘Sabotage. Oh for sure. It’s obvious’;

‘HEY, #ITV, DOES #INVICTUS KNOW YOU DIDN’T BROADCAST THE GAMES LIKE YOU WERE SUPPOSED TO?’;

Meghan, Duchess of Sussex and Prince Harry, Duke of Sussex attend the wheelchair basketball during day one of the 2025 Invictus Games

Pictured: Athletes during the gold medal wheelchair basketball match on Sunday

Furious fans took to X, formerly Twitter, to blast ITV’s coverage of the Games

‘It isn’t even on their page! WOOOOW!’;

‘I’ve tried every thing to watch the opening . I ended up on utube watching clips . What an absolute disgraceful mean hearted country we are becoming.’ 

FEMAIL has reached out to ITV for further comment.  

Last month, the Invictus Games Foundation announced that ITV would be the UK broadcast partner. 

On their website, the Foundation stated: ‘This exciting collaboration will bring the inspirational stories and extraordinary athleticism of the Games to audiences across the UK, celebrating the resilience and determination of wounded, injured, and sick service personnel and veterans.’

Sam Newell, Director of Communications at the Invictus Games Foundation, expressed his enthusiasm for the partnership: ‘We are thrilled to have ITV on board as the official UK broadcaster for the Invictus Games Vancouver Whistler 2025. 

‘Their commitment to storytelling and bringing people together aligns perfectly with our mission to amplify the voices of our competitors and shine a light on the incredible journeys they’ve undertaken. 

‘This partnership will ensure that the spirit of Invictus reaches homes across the UK, inspiring countless others.’ 

ITV have since confirmed that coverage was limited due to an agreement to only show highlights of the event and any delays were due to coordination and time zone issues

The games is due to be hosted in the UK in 2027, where it will come to Birmingham. 

It comes after Prince Harry joked that he was going to get Meghan to sing to 1,000 people at the Invictus Games welcome celebration in Whistler – after their close friend Michael Buble serenaded the crowd.

The Duke of Sussex thanked the crowd for showing their support before dragging his wife on stage to help open the three days of events at the luxury ski resort, having enjoyed some beers together first.

As the crowd cheered, Meghan Markle, stylish in a white full length coat, black top and beanie hat, stood next to her husband who cheekily said: ‘Now she’s going to sing!’

Caught off guard, the Duchess shook her head laughing as the lively crowd whooped and clapped in a bid to persuade her to perform.

Moments earlier, Canadian pop star Buble had performed an impromptu version of his hit ‘Feeling Good’ after he was brought on to the stage to introduce Harry.

The Prince acknowledged the crowd, made up of those taking part in the games and holidaymakers, who were braving the freezing weather.

Prior to opening the games in the popular ski resort, he could be seen stamping his feet to keep warm as he and Meghan waited in a restaurant.

In his speech he gave a shout out to the Mayor of Whistler who he acknowledged was a ‘ginger’. Addressing the crowd Harry asked ‘Are there any other gingers in the house?’

Prince Harry joked that he was going to get Meghan to sing to a 1,000 people in ski resort of Whistler – after their close friend Michael Buble had serenaded the crowd at the Whistler Welcome Celebration during Invictus Games. Pictured: Meghan and Harry enjoy some drinks at the welcome party

Prince Harry gives the thumbs up as he and Meghan Markle attended the Whistler welcome party

 Prince Harry and Michael Buble hold hands onstage at the Whistler Welcome Celebration

Meghan had joined Harry on stage as he opened the three days of events of the Invictus Games in the ski resort

As the crowd cheered Meghan, stylish in a white full length coat and black top and beanie hat, stood next to her husband who cheekily said’ Now she’s going to sing!’

After being asked to sing by Harry, the Duchess shook her head laughing as the crowd whooped and clapped

 The opening ceremony concluded with a low fly past by two Canadian Airforce F/18 fighter jets.

Harry and Meghan are spending three days in Whistler watching competitors taking part in adaptive winter sports, including the skeleton and alpine skiing.

The Sussexes braved sub-zero temperatures to meet the UK team taking part in the Skeleton event.

Wrapped up against temperatures of -11C, they chatted with the competitors and their families by the side of the track.

Meghan wore a £1,000 white Mackage coat, Hattack Beanie and Sorrel boots during her walkabout in Whistler. 

She knelt down to chat with brothers Benjamin and Sebastian Evans having recognised the pair from the 2023 Games held in Dusseldorf, Germany.

The Duchess also gave their mother Rachel a warm hug and happily posed for photos with the boys and their father Mike who was a member of the UK skeleton team.

Skeleton is one of the winter sports staged in the Invictus Games. A competitor sliding sport rides a small sled, known as a skeleton, down a frozen track while lying face down.

Speeds of up to 60mph can be reached.

Prince Harry thanked the crowd for coming out to support the Invictus Games in the freezing cold

 Prior to opening the Invictus Games in a popular ski resort Harry could be seen stamping his feet to keep warm as he and Meghan waited in a restaurant. Pictured: Harry enjoys a beer

Meghan, the Duchess of Sussex, beams as Prince Harry points towards something in the distance

Meghan looks longingly into Prince Harry’s eyes as the pair go for a walkabout in Whistler

Meghan wore a £1,000 white Mackage coat, Hattack Beanie and Sorrel boots during her walkabout in Whistler

Prince Harry and Meghan braved sub zero temperatures to meet the UK team taking part in the Skeleton event

Meghan hugs a member of Team UK at the Skeleton Finals during day two of the 2025 Invictus Games

Wrapped up against temperatures of -11 they chatted with the competitors and their families by the side of the track

Canadian pop star Buble performed an impromptu version of his hit ‘Feeling Good’ after he was brought on to the stage to introduce Harry

Harry and Meghan stood and watched the event but after posing for photos with spectators left for the warmth of their SUV cars.

It comes as the Sussexes continue their tour of Canda, having earlier thanked the people of the Squamish Valley.

In a post shared to her Instagram stories, Meghan uploaded several pictures and videos that showed people dancing in traditional Indigenous dress.

In one snap, the couple could be seen clapping in awe as a group holding instruments performed in front of them.

The mother-of-two then added overlaid text that read: ‘Thank you for welcoming us onto your sacred land.’

Prince Harry, Duke of Sussex and Meghan, Duchess of Sussex, attend the Whistler welcome celebration

Before going on stage in Whistler, Meghan and Harry could be seen having some drinks 

The pair joked about Meghan singing after Michael Buble had performed on stage 

Pictured: Prince Harry, Duke of Sussex attends the Skeleton Finals during day two of the 2025 Invictus Games

Harry and Meghan stood and watched the event but after posing for photos with spectators left for the warmth of their SUV cars

In another video shared to her stories, Meghan tagged The Chief Joe Mathias Centre in North Vancouver, BC, which is stated online as a centre which ‘serves as a community hub for cultural and educational events.’

It provides a space for gatherings, workshops, and programs that aim to celebrate and preserve Indigenous traditions and knowledge.

The pair had previously been in Vancouver for the seventh edition of the Invictus Games, which Harry founded in 2014 for wounded, injured and sick servicemen and women.

But, on Sunday, the couple were slammed for riding in a golf buggy past disabled veterans at Invictus Games.   

The short video of the couple in a golf cart, which was shared to Meghan’s Instagram, caused a stir online with people calling the royal pair ‘desperate’ for driving past veterans, some who were wheelchair bound. 

In the clip, which has been shared widely online, the ‘able bodied’ couple can been seen driving past cheering veterans, who chanted ‘Harry’ as they drove past.

One person wrote: ‘So Meghan and Harry, two able-bodied people, are driven on a golf cart past disabled veterans.

‘Some of the veterans are wheelchair bound. They should have walked through the group, meeting, greeting and shaking hands. All with a camera following them. Unbelievable.’

Another said: ‘They drive along being taped by the cart behind them… with people being encouraged to yell out for them. When does this madness stop?’

Someone else wrote: ‘Who so being honored here? The veterans OR Harry and Meghan being honored by the veterans!’

This year’s games, which celebrate service men and women who put their lives on the line for their nations, will include winter sports for the first time ever.

Meghan’s attendance is understood to underscore her support for her husband and the mission of Invictus, a cause that is deeply personal to them both.

In one snap, the couple could be seen clapping in awe as a group holding instruments performed in front of them

Her sole focus during these games will be to support her husband, the competitors and sharing their stories.

The Duke and Duchess spent three nights in the city of Vancouver before relocating to the ski resort of Whistler for the adaptive winter sports part of the games for wounded and disabled military veterans. 

She has packed on the PDA as they tour Canada, watching the games from the stands in Vancouver with her husband, snuggling into him before leaning in for a passionate kiss. 

The couple famously appeared in public together for the first time at the Toronto Invictus Games in 2017, pictured hand-in-hand at a wheelchair tennis event.

Source link