Prince Harry and Meghan Markle at the 2025 Invictus games in Vancouver (Image: Humphrey Nemar)
has playfully joked that his wife would perform a song in front of a crowd of 1,000 at the .
The was introduced on stage during a welcome ceremony in Whistler, , by his friend Michael Bublé, who serenaded the audience with Feeling Good.
Meghan joined her husband on stage following his speech, prompting Harry to jest: “Now she’s going to sing!”
Welcoming the Prince, Canadian crooner Michael expressed: “I know how difficult something like this is, so I wanted to make sure I did this right. Without the incredible effort of this young man, none of this would have happened, so please welcome my friend, .
Despite the freezing -9C temperatures, the Duke of Sussex addressed the eager crowd in the town renowned for its ski slopes. The Games kicked off this week with a star-studded opening ceremony on Saturday, hosted at the city’s 40,000-seater BC Place Stadium.
During the event, Harry delivered a stirring speech urging competitors to rise above the “moment of difficulty and division in many parts of the world”. Many interpreted his remarks as a subtle jab at , who had made disparaging comments about Meghan just hours before the Invictus Games commenced.
The pair looked more in love than ever (Image: Humphrey Nemar)
The reports that, speaking to the 40,000 attendees, the Duke expressed: “At this moment, when there is no shortage of crises, no absence of uncertainty, no lack of weak moral character in the world, the values you embody, the way you carry yourselves – not only at the Invictus Games, but each and every day – your courage, your resilience, your humanity, illuminate a path forward for us all.”
Meanwhile, on the same day, President Trump brushed off the idea of deporting Harry from the US following his drug use confessions in his autobiography, cuttingly remarking that Harry has “enough problems with his wife”. Despite the president’s scathing remarks, the couple appeared unfazed and deeply in love as they enjoyed performances by Nelly Furtado, Katy Perry, and Coldplay’s Chris Martin.
Meghan, elegantly attired in a £2,400 ivory double-breasted Sentaler trench coat, was spotted affectionately caressing her husband’s neck as they observed the event from the stands. In another tender display, the duo were seen locking lips in a heartfelt kiss.
Body language expert Judi James analysed the Duchess’s affectionate gestures towards , as reported by The Mirror. She described: “Clutching his arm and leaning her head against his shoulder in a romantic, date-night pose or reaching her hand out to caress his neck in a gesture of more maternal-looking pride as he is mentioned from the stage.
James further elaborated on Meghan’s actions, saying: “She’s directing attention onto Harry and showing support and an almost fan-like sense of appreciation.”
In the hours leading up to the dazzling opening ceremony of the Invictus Games, Meghan delivered an unplanned speech at a private event related to the Games, where she openly expressed her admiration for her husband and made an endearing reference to their children, Archie and Lilibet. Addressing the audience of veterans and their families, she remarked: “I was not planning on speaking tonight, and we just arrived, I don’t know, a couple of hours ago, and I touched Canadian soil and I went, oh, it feels like home.”
The couple in a public display of affection at the opening ceremony (Image: Samir Hussein/WireImage)
Then, turning her attention to Harry, she added: “We are just thrilled to be here, and I would be remiss if I didn’t take the opportunity to introduce someone who means a lot to me. And I know he means quite a lot to all of you. You will see him throughout this week. You will see him at the Games. You will see him probably curling with you, cheering you on.”
The Duchess offered a rare glimpse into her family life with , revealing: “What you won’t have seen is all of the moments that have happened in the lead-up to these Games, all of the moments where, as you know, with families, the big rush in the morning – getting ready for school, packing the lunch boxes, making breakfast. My husband’s in all of that with us, and then he’ll be on his phone, and Archie will say: ‘Papa, why are you on your phone? ‘ And he’s like: ‘That’s Invictus. I’m getting ready for Invictus’.”
Harry has shown his cheeky and sometimes goofy side at the sports tournament, often leaving his wife in fits of laughter with his stunts. One such moment saw him ‘dad dancing’ with Canada’s Invictus Games team, and another saw him do an impression of a Canadian moose at a basketball event. The Duke even posed modelling a pair of ‘budgie smuggler’ swimming trunks, presented to him by the Australia team.
Meghan has been sharing behind-the-scenes moments on her newly re-launched page.The Games will run for nine days, featuring more than 500 competitors from 23 nations. Athletes will compete in core sports including indoor rowing, sitting volleyball, swimming, wheelchair rugby and wheelchair basketball. The Games will also include winter sports for the first time.
The prince founded the Invictus Games in London in 2014, with this year marking the seventh edition of the competition for wounded military veterans. During his emotional speech at the ceremony, Harry told the crowd of 40,000: “.
has been showcasing his playful side at the sports tournament, often leaving his wife in stitches with his antics. Memorable moments include him ‘dad dancing’ with Canada’s Invictus Games team and mimicking a Canadian moose at a basketball event.
The Duke even sported a pair of ‘budgie smuggler’ swimming trunks gifted by the Australian team, much to everyone’s amusement. Meghan has been sharing these behind-the-scenes snippets on her recently revived page.
The Games are set to span nine days, featuring over 500 competitors from 23 nations. Athletes will participate in key sports such as indoor rowing, sitting volleyball, swimming, wheelchair rugby, and wheelchair basketball.
For the first time, winter sports will also be included in the Games.
The Prince, who launched the Invictus Games in London in 2014, celebrated the competition’s seventh year, dedicated to injured military veterans. Addressing a massive audience of 40,000 in Vancouver, Harry delivered a heartfelt speech, saying: “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.”
He went on to say: “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.”