The Duchess of Sussex publicly declared her love for her “incredible” husband Harry in front of an audience of thousands at the opening ceremony of the Invictus Games.
meghan said she “could not love and respect him more” as she introduced the duke up on stage at the event in The Hague, the Netherlands.
The couple then kissed when Harry arrived on stage, and he appeared emotional before his speech, saying: “Thank you my love.”
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The Duchess of Sussex spoke on stage during the Invictus Games opening ceremony
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Meghan and Harry on stage at the ceremony
The duchess spoke for a few minutes before inviting Harry on stage in the venue which seats up to 5,000 people.
She said: “It is my distinguished honor to introduce someone that I think you’ll all be very excited to hear from.
“He has also spent many late nights and early mornings planning for these games to make them as perfect as possible for each of you.
“I could not love and respect him more and I know that all of you feel the same, because he is your fellow veteran, having served two tours of duty in Afghanistan and 10 years of military service.
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“He’s the founder of the Invictus Games, and the father to our two little ones, Archie and Lili. Please welcome my incredible husband, Prince Harry, the Duke of Sussex.”
The couple appeared in high spirits and close at the event, holding hands and placing their hands on each other’s backs.
Emotional moment for Sussexes as Invictus Games begin
If you were in any doubt of Prince Harry’s popularity, you need not look further than the Invictus Games.
The competitors adore the man they know as ‘Harry the soldier’.
One of the biggest passion projects for the Duke of Sussex is now a love shared with his wife.
Both the Sussexes were guests of honor for the Invictus Opening Ceremony.
The Games – that’d been delayed by two years – opened with a bang.
A live orchestra played to an audience of thousands, and films showing the journeys of many of the competitors made for a sobering watch.
There are so many extraordinary people who’ve overcome adversity here.
The delegations from 17 nations lined the front of the stage, each one trying to cheer louder than the other but in good faith.
The space was awash with vibrant colors – their kits matching their nation’s flags, they all wear them with pride.
The speeches from the duke and duchess came in the last 10 minutes of the ceremony.
Meghan praised the Ukrainian delegation for their participation in the games.
Many of their group have stayed to fight in the conflict, those here say they come with a message of defiance and hope.
Meghan’s appreciation for them was followed by rapturous applause – the crowd at The Hague echoed her sentiment. The military world seem to have adopted her as a family member.
Prince Harry was introduced on stage by the duchess, who highlighted as she brought him on stage that he is ‘one of you’ and that he’d put in so many hours to make this event a success.
The prince was emotional as he came on stage, he embraced his wife and addressed the audience after the applause subsided: ‘I’ve missed you all’
His speech was powerful and poignant for those watching: “You as individuals are people of substance, of resilience, of strength and of heart. You have the heart of Invictus”.
Earlier in the day, the couple were taken for a spin by a couple of children in mini cars.
Harry and Meghan hopped into miniature open-topped Land Rover vehicles driven by two little girls ahead of the event’s opening ceremony.
Harry founded the Invictus Games to aid the rehabilitation of injured or sick military personnel and veterans from across the globe, by giving them the chance to compete in sporting events similar to the Paralympics.
The couple arrived at the Zuiderpark around lunchtime and looked casual and relaxed as they chatted to people.
They both wore sunglasses and met children at a small track next to the main driving course and sat in the passenger space next to their young drivers.
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Harry, right, and Meghan, rear left, driven by children as they attend the Invictus Games. Pic: AP
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Harry and Meghan will both speak on stage at the opening ceremony on Saturday evening. Pic: AP
Meghan was driven around by five-year-old French girl, Mya Poirot, while Harry was driven by four-year-old Dutch girl, Scarlet Vroegop.
The duke also took part in the Jaguar Land Rover driving challenge, sitting in the front passenger seat and helping to navigate a course of bridge structures, ramps and rocks.
Prior to Friday, the couple had not been seen publicly on this side of the Atlantic together since 2020.
Harry and Meghan chose to make their first public appearance together at the Invictus Games almost five years ago.
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Harry and Meghan were absent from the Duke of Edinburgh’s memorial service in London last month
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Prince Harry pictured in the Netherlands. Pic: AP
He and Meghan moved to California after stepping back from royal duties in January 2020.
Their appearance at the Zuiderpark came after they visited the Queen in Windsor on Thursday, having flown in from the US.
They made their first public appearance together in Europe since quitting as senior working royals more than two years ago, when they attended a reception at the games on Friday.
Harry and Meghan’s trips to the UK and the Netherlands come after the pair were absent from the Duke of Edinburgh’s memorial service in London last month.
