Once seen as Prince Harry’s closest ally, Edward Lane Fox, the former Household Cavalry captain and private secretary to the Duke of Sussex, has quietly stepped back from his role with the Invictus Games this year.
Known as a bridge between Harry’s royal past and his post-royal life, Lane Fox’s departure marks the end of one of the last personal ties to the prince within his charity circle.
Departures Pile Up at Invictus
Lane Fox left on February 28, the same day another trustee, Patrick Nicoll, stepped down after serving on the board since 2018.
Soon after, JJ Chalmers, the Royal Marine reservist and Invictus gold medallist, also resigned.
These exits echo the sudden departures that preceded Harry’s own exit from Sentebale earlier this year.
While the Sussex office has stayed silent, an Invictus source insisted that the departures were routine, with trustees simply “moving on” after serving their maximum term.
Financially, the charity appears robust: income rose to £3.8million in 2024, up from £2.7million in 2023, with £1.6million coming from wealthy donors.
The Significance of Losing Lane Fox
Even so, the loss of Lane Fox carries symbolic weight.
He was considered one of Harry’s few trusted confidants who might help mend family ties and facilitate a return to the UK. Now, that connection is gone.
Some within the Invictus circle are reportedly even questioning whether it might be time for Harry to step back from the charity, citing concerns that his public disputes with the Royal Family have made him a “toxic” figure in certain circles.
Royal Connections and Challenges
The Invictus Games, founded in 2014, carry deep military links and had previously enjoyed the support of Charles, Camilla, and Prince William.
But after years of public criticism from Harry toward his family, it seems unlikely they would attend future events like the 2027 Games in Birmingham.
One royal source noted that finding a new patron would be straightforward should Harry resign, highlighting the tension between his personal grievances and the charity’s broader mission.
Balancing Philanthropy and Personal Ventures
Harry remains focused on charitable work, particularly through the Archewell Foundation, while Meghan Markle has pursued her own media and lifestyle projects.
Harry also maintains two paid consultancies—Travalyst, an eco-travel company, and BetterUp, a coaching organisation—helping sustain their lifestyle in Montecito.
Yet philanthropic impact without royal status and the kind of personal fortune he once had comes with challenges.
Sentebale, Harry’s previous charity, faced a drop in donations earlier this year, with the chairwoman attributing it to his “toxic brand.”
While Invictus CEO Rob Owen insists Harry is staying put, the charity’s accounts reveal the truth: his ability to attract wealthy donors—like Netflix, BetterUp, BlackRock, and possibly Amazon—is a critical part of the charity’s financial health.
Wealth, Isolation, and the Future
As Harry continues to distance himself from the UK, these billionaire connections may become ever more crucial.
His vision of a “life of service” now seems heavily reliant on persuading a handful of wealthy supporters to fund his causes.
In many ways, this paints a picture of a dedicated but increasingly isolated prince, navigating philanthropy without the institutional backing of his former royal network.