Prince Harry’s 2023 Invictus Games are in full swing, and he is clearly profiting from his time in Germany. The Duke of Sussex formally kicked off the seven-day Paralympic-style competitors for wounded and recovering troopers and veterans on Sept. 9 with a gap ceremony in Düsseldorf.
“This yr’s video games is a house for respect,” Harry stated in a speech, as seen in a video shared by “ET Canada.” “Think about that phrase for a second, ‘respect.’ What does it imply to you? What does it appear like? What does it really feel like? Some folks might act like respect is one thing that veterans are asking for, that folks with accidents — whether or not seen or invisible — need to show they’re worthy of it. Some of you right here might generally really feel that approach about yourselves. That you have got one thing to show.”
Harry continued, “These video games usually are not solely about medals . . . They are about overcoming any and all perceptions that held you again, particularly these you’ve got positioned on yourselves.”
On Sunday, Sept. 10, the prince attended the primary day of occasions, the place he watched the wheelchair rugby, powerlifting, and observe and subject competitions. The following day, Harry was again within the stands for the observe and subject finals. During his go to, the duke caught up with Wali Noori of Team UK, who was blinded by a Taliban bomb in 2009.
Then on Sept. 13, Harry’s spouse, Meghan Markle, joined him for day 4 of the Invictus Games, the place the 2 sat within the stands and watched a wheelchair basketball match between Ukraine and Australia. At the occasion, the pair signed autographs, took footage with followers and rivals, and had been even offered a plaque from the Chief of Defense in Nigeria, per Hello! The following day, the couple stepped out for day 5, the place they attended a volleyball match, plus met with NATO Joint Force Command and households from Italy and the Netherlands.
The 2023 Invictus Games will wrap on Saturday, Sept. 16, and the closing ceremony will embody a particular efficiency by Rita Ora. “I’m extremely proud to be a part of the Closing Ceremony of the Invictus Games in Düsseldorf,” Ora stated in assertion shared on the Invictus Games web site. “I’m so excited to be performing in entrance of this very distinctive viewers. The Invictus Games is a really particular sport occasion, and the rivals are an inspiration in perseverance and can for all of us.”
Meghan can be scheduled to attend the closing ceremony, although in what capability stays unclear.
Ahead, see extra photographs of Harry’s 2023 Invictus Games.