Prince Harry in Netflix Documentary 'Rising Phoenix'

On 26/08/2020, Prince Harry, the Duke of Sussex, appeared in the Netflix documentary Rising Phoenix, marking his debut on the streaming platform. The film focused on the history and impact of the Paralympic Games, tracing their origins from post-World War II rehabilitation programs to a global sporting movement featuring elite athletes with disabilities. Prince Harry’s involvement in the documentary reflected his long-standing connection to adaptive sports and wounded service personnel. He is the founder of the Invictus Games, an international sporting event for wounded, injured, and sick military personnel and veterans, first held in 2014. In Rising Phoenix, he contributed commentary on the significance of sport in recovery and identity, alongside athletes and officials associated with the Paralympic movement. The documentary included interviews with Paralympians from various countries and showcased archival footage and personal stories highlighting the challenges and achievements of competitors. It was directed by Ian Bonhôte and Peter Ettedgui and produced in collaboration with Passion Pictures, Ventureland, and Misfits Entertainment. The release came at a time when the Tokyo 2020 Paralympic Games had been postponed due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Rising Phoenix was distributed globally on Netflix and received attention for its portrayal of the Paralympic movement and its participants. Prince Harry’s participation aligned with his continued advocacy for wounded veterans and the role of sport in rehabilitation.