Prince Harry and Meghan, the Duke and Duchess of Sussex, made a spirited appearance at the opening ceremony of the 2025 Invictus Games in Vancouver, where Harry encouraged competitors to overcome global challenges with resilience and unity.
The seventh edition of the Invictus Games, a multi-sport event for wounded and recovering military veterans, kicked off with a star-studded ceremony featuring performances by Katy Perry, Coldplay’s Chris Martin, and Nelly Furtado at Vancouver’s BC Place Stadium.
Speaking to a crowd of 40,000 spectators, Prince Harry—who founded the Invictus Games in 2014 after serving in Afghanistan—emphasized the resilience of the competitors.
“We gather here in Vancouver in a spirit of unity. Beyond any differences, here at the Invictus Games we are grounded in mutual respect, competing fiercely, but believing in one another,” said Prince Harry.
He also honored Canada’s Indigenous First Nations peoples, thanking them for hosting the event.
Addressing competitors who have credited the Invictus Games for their recovery, he humbly stated:
“Over the past decade I’ve lost count of the times we’ve heard you tell us that the Invictus Games saved you. Respectfully, I disagree. Invictus didn’t save you. You saved yourself.”
The Duke and Duchess of Sussex were seen cheering from the stands as the UK’s team entered the arena. Meghan, showing her enthusiasm, waved blue pom-poms while clapping for the competitors.
The next nine days of competition will see more than 500 athletes participate in 11 sports, including winter sports for the first time in the event’s history.
The opening ceremony was highlighted by musical performances, including:
✔ Chris Martin of Coldplay, who performed the Invictus Anthem he originally wrote in 2014.
✔ Nelly Furtado, who delivered a nostalgic performance of her hit song I’m Like a Bird.
✔ Katy Perry, who closed the show with her chart-topping anthem “Roar.”
Prince Harry and Meghan in the Spotlight Amid Trump’s Comments
The public appearance comes amid recent remarks by U.S. President Donald Trump, who was asked whether Prince Harry should be deported from the U.S. due to past drug use, as revealed in his memoir Spare.
Trump, who has previously clashed with Meghan, dismissed the idea of deportation, stating:
“I don’t want to do that. I’ll leave him alone. He’s got enough problems with his wife. She’s terrible.”
Meghan has been a vocal critic of Trump, calling him “divisive” and a “misogynist”, while Trump has previously referred to Meghan as “nasty.”
The Duke and Duchess of Sussex have not responded to Trump’s comments.
The Invictus Games, first launched in London in 2014, have since been hosted in Orlando, Toronto, Sydney, The Hague, and Düsseldorf. The 2017 Toronto Games were particularly significant, as it was where Prince Harry and Meghan made their first public appearance as a couple.
With the 2025 Games now underway, the event continues to showcase the strength, resilience, and courage of wounded veterans and service members, reinforcing Prince Harry’s dedication to their recovery and recognition.