Revealed: Prince Harry’s Invictus Games set to be headlined by major stars ‘personally chosen’ by the Duke – but they have a connection to the royal family
Prince Harry‘s Invictus Games is set to feature a star-studded line-up for its opening ceremony, with Chris Martin and Katy Perry set to perform.
The event, which will be held in Vancouver and Whistler from 8 to 16 February, will be the first to incorporate winter sports, and will be broadcast on ITV in the UK.
Coldplay frontman Mr Martin is set to perform at the opening ceremony at BC Place in Vancouver on February 8, where he will join the likes of Katy Perry, Nelly Furtado, Noah Kahan and Roxanne Bruneau.
And it appears he’s been personally chosen by the Duke of Sussex, with Robyn McVicker, chief operating officer of the Games, telling PEOPLE magazine that he had ‘input’ in the headlining acts.
‘We’ve been thrilled to be able to work with him on the approach to the [ceremonies]. We’ve kept him posted about shortlists and what we’re talking about. He’s had input,’ McVicker said.
She added: ‘We are so honored and thrilled that so many incredible musicians want to be connected with the Invictus movement.’
A statement posted on the Invictus website said the Coldplay star’s performance would ‘celebrate hope, resilience, courage, and the unconquered Invictus Spirit at the very heart of the Games’.
The Fix You singer, 47, previously composed the score of the Invictus Games anthem in 2014, which is used during the medal ceremonies each year.
Prince Harry ‘s Invictus Games is set to feature a star-studded line-up for its opening ceremony, with Chris Martin and Katy Perry set to perform
Both Chris and Katy Perry have previously performed for members of Harry’s estranged family back in the UK.
Coldplay – headlined by Chris Martin – in fact performed at the first edition of Prince William’s Earthshot Prize ceremony in London in 2021.
The show was powered by 60 bikes, meaning that the setlist was ‘completely carbon neutral’.
Meanwhile Katy Perry previously performed at King Charles’s coronation concert in May 2023 – with Prince William beforehand saying he was ‘looking forward’ to seeing her.
And she was clearly thrilled to be there, thanking his majesty for the privilege and gushing: ‘I got to bring my mum and stay in a castle!’
The pop superstar looked sensational in a huge gold metallic gown as she entertained the 20,000 strong audience with a selection of her most famous hits at Windsor Castle.
She passionately grasped the colour coordinating microphone as she belted out her chart topping tracks Roar and Firework.
However, Katy and her husband Orlando Bloom are close neighbours of Harry and Meghan in Montecito, and the couples have become friends.
Nelly Furtado was previously invited by Harry to perform at the Concert for Diana in 2007, and said the Duke was dancing during her song Say It Right.
Prince Harry’s Invictus Games is set to return this month in Vancouver and Whistler. Harry and his wife Meghan Markle are pictured in 2024
Katy Perry is also part of the setlist – after previously performing at King Charles’s coronation concert in 2023
Nelly Furtado previously performed at the Concert For Diana in 2007 – again after being invited by Harry
She said at the time in an interview with The Mail: ‘I have met Prince William and Prince Harry, who are so sweet.’
Stick Season singer Noah Kahan is also set to perform at the opening ceremony – joining Canadian pop singer Roxane Bruneau.
It comes as 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.’
The games will feature over 500 competitors from 23 nations competing in adaptive sports ranging from wheelchair rugby to alpine skiing.
The event celebrated the strength of its participants but also promotes the power of recovery through sport.
The collaboration means that nine daily highlight shows will be available on ITVX across the duration of the Games, including the opening ceremony music acts.
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.
Chris Martin of Coldplay performs during the Earthshot Prize 2021 at Alexandra Palace on October 17, 2021
‘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.’
The games is due to be hosted in the UK in 2027, where it will come to Birmingham.
‘It’s our 10-year anniversary this year, which is really exciting. It’s a sporting platform used for the rehabilitation and support for wounded soldiers, serving and veterans. We have 25 nations, growing all the time’, Harry said at a promotional event for the Games in November.
He previously opened up in a emotional video about the ‘healing power of sport’ ahead of the Invictus Games.
The Duke of Sussex released the message on the official account for the 2025 Games to be held in Vancouver, Canada, on X, formerly Twitter in September.
He told viewers: ‘Sport has the ability to heal, to change lives and to save lives.
Harry is patron of the Invictus Games which he established in 2014 as an international adaptive multi-sport event for wounded, injured, and sick servicemen and women.
Both serving troops and veterans are encouraged to compete as part of their recovery journeys.
Harry added in his direct address in the 117-second video: ‘For so many of these competitors, getting to the start line has been one of the hardest moments of their life.
‘But at the Games, their lives are changed. Watching these magical moments happen, and sport being the facilitator of that, is very, very special for all of us to witness.’
Last summer the prince hailed the wounded, injured and sick serving UK personnel and veterans who are to take part in the 64-strong squad, made up of 60 competitors and four reserves.
They were named as Team UK for what is called the Invictus Games Vancouver Whistler scheduled to be held next February.
Prince Harry waves to fans prior to the start of a TV interview before the start of the 2024 Grey Cup at BC Place
Prince Harry, pictured with his wife Meghan in Whistler last year, has said he is excited to see ‘passion, determination and resilience’ of the UK squad for the first Invictus Games with winter sports
‘Team UK will join over 500 competitors from across 20 nations in this groundbreaking event that expands the range and profile of winter adaptive sports.
‘These games present an incredible opportunity for our courageous service personnel and veterans to demonstrate their skills in new challenges like alpine skiing, snowboarding and skeleton, as well as providing a truly memorable experience for their families.
‘We’re excited to see their passion, determination, and resilience on full display as they take on this new chapter.’
This year’s Invictus Games in Vancouver will be the first to include winter sports.
Team UK captain, Stephen ‘Hoops’ Hooper, is returning for his second Invictus Games after competing in powerlifting and sitting volleyball at Dusseldorf in 2023.
Hooper, who served in the RAF and was diagnosed with PTSD before being medically discharged in 2021, said: ‘To be selected for Team UK again was overwhelming in itself, but to be captain as well, is a privilege.
‘I gained a lot from the whole Team UK experience last time around, I’ve gone from standing in the corner of a room and not talking to anybody, to finding my voice again.
‘And that’s what I want to do for others this time – make sure every member of Team UK comes together and takes those steps forward in their recovery.’
