Prince Harry made headlines with a recent return to the UK—his first in four years—and his visit included a few unexpected activities: goat yoga, wheelchair rugby, and, most notably, pickleball.

The Duke of Sussex was in town for The Invictus Games, the international adaptive sporting event he founded in 2014 for wounded, injured, and sick service members and veterans. Harry, who served 10 years in the British Army, has remained closely tied to the event ever since.

While in Birmingham, England, he took part in a mixed doubles exhibition match. Dressed in a polo, jeans, and loafers—and wielding an Invictus-branded paddle—his outfit may not have screamed “pickleball-ready,” but his play told a different story.

Harry showed solid instincts on the court, including a clean cross-court putaway, no kitchen faults, and a relaxed, ready stance throughout. More than anything, he looked like he was enjoying himself—smiling, laughing, and fully embracing the moment.

Pickleball is set to become one of the newest additions to the Invictus Games, with its official debut scheduled for 2027. For an event that already showcases adaptive sports like wheelchair basketball, wheelchair rugby, sitting volleyball, swimming, indoor rowing, cycling, athletics, and archery, the inclusion of pickleball feels like a natural fit.

Known for its accessibility, pickleball can be easily adapted for athletes of all abilities. Wheelchair and adaptive versions of the sport have been gaining momentum in recent years, with more tournaments across the country beginning to feature dedicated divisions.

Seeing a high-profile figure like Prince Harry embrace pickleball is undeniably a positive moment for the sport.

That said, it was a bit surprising to see him pick up a pickleball paddle instead of trying padel.

Padel, a hybrid of tennis and squash played on an enclosed glass court where players can use the walls, has surged in popularity across the UK. While it’s still gaining traction in the United States, it’s already well established overseas.

According to Third Shot UK, there are an estimated 230,000 padel players in England compared to around 40,000 pickleball players. Padel may currently lead in popularity across the pond, but when it comes to accessibility and ease of entry, pickleball still has the edge.

Since stepping back from his royal duties in 2020, Prince Harry has spent the past several years living in the U.S.—the birthplace of pickleball, which now boasts an estimated 24.3 million players nationwide.

Given the sport’s explosive growth in America, it’s fair to wonder whether that influence played a role in pickleball’s inclusion in The Invictus Games. Either way, its addition marks another exciting step in the game’s global rise, especially as it continues to expand opportunities for adaptive and inclusive athletes.

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