Patron Prince Harry ropes in big names for video promoting games for disabled military personnel starting in US next week

This article is more than 4 years old

This article is more than 4 years old

It is a promotional video with a rather more high-profile cast than usual: Barack and Michelle Obama, Prince Harry and the Queen herself.

The last time the 90-year-old monarch featured in a spoof video, she was escorted to the London Olympics by Daniel Craig as James Bond. This time, she is seen with grandson Harry in a video to promote the Invictus Games for disabled veterans.

Prince Harry’s role as a patron of the games has helped him pull in the big names for the 40-second promo. Its starts with Harry and the Queen sitting on a sofa in front of a fire, leafing through a brochure of the games, when the prince’s mobile goes off, to the tune of Hail to the Chief.

“It’s a message from Michelle, how very amusing. Shall we watch it together?” he asks.

When he opens the message, the Obamas appear, arms folded, with two servicemen and a servicewoman behind them.

“Hey Prince Harry, remember when you told us to bring it at the Invictus Games,” says the first lady.

“Careful what you wish for,” says the US president, whose last contribution to matters British was more serious: he suggested on a visit to London last week that the UK would move to the back of the queue in any trade talks with the US if it left the EU.

After the president does his bit, one of the servicemen does a mock gangster gesture, saying “Boom”.

Switching back to this side of the pond, the Queen grins at her grandson and appears to utter: “Boom? Really, please”, although there was debate online about whether she actually only said: “Oh, really, please.”



Peter Hunt (@BBCPeterHunt) I was right first time. Many ears have listened. This is no booming Queen..... https://t.co/lxYxkfstVK

The Games are for serving personnel and veterans who are wounded, injured or sick. Named after the Latin word for unconquered or undefeated, the inaugural Invictus games were held in London in 2014.

This year’s event will feature more than 500 athletes from 15 countries competing in 10 events, including archery, indoor rowing, powerlifting, road cycling and wheelchair tennis. The Games start in Orlando, Florida, in a week’s time.