Queensland is to bid to host Prince Harry’s Invictus Games in 2018.
Events minister Kate Jones has revealed the Australian state are planning on holding The Invictus Games – a sporting contest for injured service personnel – on the Gold Coast and will use venues that are being built for the 2018 Commonwealth Games as venues.
Kate said that having the 31-year-old royal in the country would be "priceless" and would help boost tourism.
She told News.com.au: "From a tourism perspective, having Prince Harry … talking up our wonderful beaches and location is priceless."
Kate claims that they will find out if they’ve been successful in their bid next month.
She added: "We will find out if we have secured the event by the end of September. We are very confident … that we can lure Prince Harry to the Gold Coast."
This year The Invictus Games were held in Orlando, Florida and 2017 will see the sporting event, which was set up by Harry in 2014 for injured and wounded army personnel to take part in sports including wheelchair basketball and indoor rowing, hosted by Toronto in Canada.
Meanwhile, the flame-haired royal recently said he hopes the event will inspire people battling mental health conditions to seek help.
He said: "Every single one of them will have confronted tremendous emotional and mental challenges. When we give a standing ovation to the competitor with the missing limbs, let’s also cheer our hearts out for the man who overcame anxiety so severe he couldn’t leave his house.
"Let’s cheer for the woman who fought through post-traumatic stress and let’s celebrate the soldier who was brave enough to get help for his depression.
"To those of you watching at home and who are suffering from mental illness in silence – whether a veteran or a civilian, a mum or a dad, a teenager or a grandparent – I hope you see the bravery of our Invictus champions who have confronted invisible injuries and I hope you are inspired to ask for the help that you need."
Queensland bid for Prince Harry’s Invictus Games in 2018
