Prince Harry faces huge Invictus Games backlash as Birmingham locals make same complaint
Birmingham has been confirmed as the host for Prince Harry's Invictus Games in 2027, but residents are worried about potential financial problems it could create.
Prince Harry is wished a 'Happy Birthday' at Invictus Games
Prince Harry will be coming back to the UK in 2027 for the Invictus Games, as it was announced today that Birmingham would host the sporting tournament for military veterans in three years' time.
While the Duke of Sussex may be excited by the development, those living in the UK's second largest city have expressed concern that the Games will bump other pressing issues further down the council's priority list.
Birmingham was declared bankrupt last September, and as a result council tax has been raised by 21 percent over the next two years in a mission to save £300 million.
The £26 million bid for Invictus was funded by the UK Government, however locals have expressed to MailOnline their fears that money that could be used to fix potholes or improve public services will be spent on the Games instead.
According to the publication, council expenditure cuts will mean residents have their waste collected fortnightly rather than weekly, streetlights will be dimmed and over 600 jobs are going.
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Charlotte Bell, 36, said she and her six-year-old son Jack had loved the Commonwealth Games being hosted in the city in 2022, and acknowledged there could be some positives to Invictus.
She told MailOnline: "If it can put some focus back on Birmingham for positive reasons, that's definitely a good thing. The only concern I have got are things like the public finances - our libraries are closing and things like that.
"I just hope the council isn't going to start ploughing money into improving the facade of Birmingham, making it look nice, when that money could be used to save our libraries and support services."
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If Meghan Markle travels with Harry to the West Midlands for the Games she may not be received so warmly, as the couple have lost popularity since leaving the Firm for the US.
Margaret, 70, said: "Put it this way, the less said about them, the better. I think the Invictus Games might bring in lots of money and the city needs money."
Steven Dawes, 67, explained: "I'm a royalist, but I think he's burnt his bridges. I think he's clinging on to the Invictus Games now because it's the last thing he has left. It's a shame, really. He will rue the day he left the Royal Family."
His wife Lorraine, 64, gave her take: "I think it's a good idea at the end of the day, it's recognising people with disabilities. The financial question will no doubt arise with council taxpayers. People are going to be a bit reluctant about it."
Birmingham won out over Washington DC, the other city which put in a bid for Invictus 2027, with the Games not being held in the UK since London 2014.
The next Games in 2025 will be held in Vancouver and Whistler, but Harry's focus for now will be looking for a new CEO after Dominic Reid announced he was stepping down from his role.
