Since this situation is basically a masterclass in how not to have your event become a political football, here are a few takeaways you can use at work, at home, or in your neighborhood committee.
Print this part: Always check whose name is on the marquee. If an event has a royal (or any high-profile) founder, assume every move will be read twelve ways by people with strong opinions. Preemptive diplomacy is cheaper than crisis management.
Second, communicate your mission relentlessly. Harry’s mistake may have been assuming everyone understood the Games were apolitical. As the general’s comment showed, assumptions are the mother of all messes. Write a one-liner explaining your event’s purpose and repeat it until you’re bored.
Third, have a fallback speaker. Not a back-up plan—a fallback speaker. If the main figure becomes controversial, can you pivot to a trusted veteran or a local leader? The Invictus Games now needs a non-royal ambassador to carry the water while the storm passes.
Expert Breaks Down What Prince Harry's Body Language in New 'Heart of
Fourth, be prepared for silence. Not every criticism needs a response. Harry’s camp did well by not firing back at the general with fury. They kept it short: “This was unintended.” Sometimes, less is more, especially when the drama is still unfolding on red-top front pages.
Fun Little Fact to Chew On
Did you know that the Invictus Games are the only major international sporting event where the recovery of the athlete matters more than the medal count? Competitors are often still in rehabilitation. In 2017, a British soldier with a prosthetic leg danced to Ed Sheeran during the opening ceremony. That’s the spirit we’re all rooting for.
