Royal Canadian Legion Founders Award

In August 2018, Prince Harry, Duke of Sussex, was awarded the Founders Award by the Royal Canadian Legion in recognition of his role in founding the Invictus Games. The honour was announced during the Legion’s 47th Dominion Convention held in Winnipeg, Canada, an event that brings together delegates from across the country to discuss veterans’ issues and organizational initiatives. The Founders Award is presented every two years to individuals who reflect the principles and vision of the Legion’s founding members, particularly in supporting veterans and their families. In its announcement, the Royal Canadian Legion cited Prince Harry’s “extraordinary achievement” in establishing the Invictus Games, an international sporting event first held in 2014 for wounded, injured, and sick service personnel and veterans. The Games aim to promote recovery and rehabilitation through competitive sport and international camaraderie. The recognition also reflected the Legion’s direct involvement in the Invictus Games movement. The organization served as a Signature Sponsor of the 2017 Invictus Games held in Toronto, where hundreds of competitors from multiple nations participated in adaptive sports events. The Duke’s continued advocacy for injured service members through the Games has been a central aspect of his public work, particularly following his own military service in the British Army. The August 2018 award added to a series of acknowledgments from international veteran organizations highlighting the impact of the Invictus Games on military communities worldwide. Why This Moment Matters: The award connected Prince Harry’s work with the Invictus Games to international veteran organizations, including those directly involved in supporting the event, such as the Royal Canadian Legion’s role in the 2017 Toronto Games.