In a move that has sent ripples through the royal and veterans’ communities alike, Prince Harry has announced the launch of a brand-new awards ceremony under the Invictus Games Foundation banner: the Invictus Spirit Gala Dinner & Awards. The inaugural event is scheduled for September 17, 2026, in London, marking a significant expansion of the Invictus brand beyond the biennial adaptive sports competition Harry founded in 2014.

The announcement, made in late January 2026, positions Harry in an even more prominent leadership role within his flagship charity. He will personally serve on the judging panel alongside representatives from the Invictus Games Foundation and presenting partner ATCO. Nominations opened on January 23, 2026, and close on March 8, 2026, with winners to be revealed at the black-tie gala. The awards will honor four categories:

Invictus Resilience Award
Invictus Community Award
Invictus Community of Nations Award
Invictus Champion Award

Eligibility is broad: nominees do not need to have participated in Invictus Games activities, but they must either be members of the wounded, injured, and sick (WIS) service personnel or veteran community who have used sport or adventure as part of their recovery journey, or come from the wider community and have made a positive impact on the recovery of WIS veterans through sport.

The Invictus Spirit Gala draws inspiration from the former Endeavour Awards, which previously recognized similar contributions within the Invictus community. This new ceremony aims to celebrate “the remarkable individuals and organisations who embody resilience, service, and the unconquered spirit at the heart of our global community.” It also signals Harry’s strategic intent to broaden the foundation’s reach, creating year-round visibility and fundraising opportunities rather than relying solely on the flagship Games every two years.

The timing and location of the event—London, September 2026—have immediately fueled speculation about a potential royal family reunion. The 2027 Invictus Games are already confirmed to return to the UK for the first time in 13 years, hosted in Birmingham from July 8–16, 2027. Sources close to the Duke have indicated that Harry is “keen” to invite his father, King Charles III, to officially open the Birmingham Games in his capacity as Head of the Armed Forces. While the King would likely be invited anyway as Head of State, a personal invitation to participate in the opening ceremony would represent a significant olive branch amid years of strained relations between father and son.

The Invictus Games have long been one of the few areas where Harry and the royal family have maintained a degree of shared purpose. King Charles has publicly supported the Games in the past, and Prince William attended the 2014 inaugural event in London as a gesture of unity. However, Harry’s departure from royal duties in 2020 and subsequent public criticisms of the family have created distance. A joint appearance by father and son at the 2027 Games—especially if tied to the new London awards gala in 2026—could serve as a powerful symbol of reconciliation, even if only ceremonial.

Insiders note that the Invictus Spirit Awards are designed to spotlight the global Invictus community in a glamorous, high-profile setting. The black-tie gala will likely attract international dignitaries, military leaders, veterans, corporate sponsors, and celebrities who have long supported the Games. By hosting the inaugural event in London, Harry is also sending a clear message: he remains deeply connected to the UK and its veteran community, despite living in California. The choice of venue could facilitate discreet family conversations or even a low-key meeting between Harry and senior royals ahead of the 2027 Games.

The announcement has been met with widespread praise from veterans’ organizations and Invictus supporters. Many see the new awards as a natural evolution of the foundation’s mission—honoring not just competitors, but the wider ecosystem of caregivers, coaches, charities, and communities that enable recovery through sport. Nominations are open to individuals and organizations worldwide, ensuring the gala reflects the truly global nature of Invictus.

For Harry, the move reinforces his leadership within the foundation he founded and continues to champion. Since stepping back from royal duties, Invictus has remained one of the few institutions where he retains full control and public goodwill. The new awards ceremony gives him a high-profile platform in London—his former home—while keeping the focus on veterans rather than personal drama.

Speculation about a royal reunion is inevitable. The 2027 Birmingham Games will mark the first time Invictus returns to the UK since 2014, and the presence of the King as opener would carry symbolic weight. Whether Charles accepts a personal invitation from Harry—or whether other family members (such as Prince William or Princess Anne) attend—remains uncertain. Yet the possibility has already sparked hope among those who wish to see the royal family heal, even if only in small, public steps.

Critics have questioned whether the new awards are necessary, pointing to the existing Endeavour Awards and the Games themselves. Some online commentary has accused Harry of “creating his own royal events” to stay relevant. However, supporters counter that expanding Invictus’ visibility and fundraising capacity is essential for sustainability, especially as the Games grow in scale and ambition.

Whatever the motivation, the Invictus Spirit Gala represents a bold new chapter for the foundation. With Harry on the judging panel and London as the stage, the event has the potential to become an annual fixture in the veterans’ calendar—much like the Endeavour Awards once were.

As nominations continue through March 8, 2026, anticipation is building. For Prince Harry, this is more than an awards show. It is a demonstration of leadership, a reaffirmation of purpose, and—perhaps—a quiet bridge toward future reconciliation with the family he once stood so close to.

The Invictus spirit has always been about resilience and unity in the face of adversity. In 2026, that spirit may extend beyond the Games themselves—and into the heart of the royal family.

One ceremony in London could change everything.