The Duchess of Sussex will join her husband at the Invictus Games, which are taking place this weekend at The Hague. The competition is set to take place from April 16 to 22 in The Netherlands after it was delayed during the pandemic.
The games were founded Harry to aid the rehabilitation of injured or sick military personnel and veterans from across the globe, by giving them the challenge of competing in sporting events similar to the Paralympics. On Monday evening, a spokesperson for the duke and duchess confirmed that Meghan will join Harry at the Games in The Hague for the first few days.
The Invictus Games was where the couple chose to make their first public appearance together almost five years ago. Meghan made her first appearance at an official engagement attended by Harry on September 24 2017 when she attended the Invictus Games opening ceremony in Toronto, Canada, although the pair sat about 18 seats apart.
The following day, the pair emerged hand in hand to make their first official public appearance together at the wheelchair tennis. Earlier on Monday, Team UK competitors said they would like to see Meghan, and the couple’s children, two-year-old Archie and nine-month-old Lili, at the Games. Their children are not expected to be in attendance.
Daniel O’Connor, 31, from Hereford, is competing in archery and indoor rowing, and said Harry is “someone who cares a lot”. Mr O’Connor, who suffers from chronic pain, said: “He has in his mind the things he wants to achieve in his life, the things he’d like to see change, and he tries to work towards them. And if everyone had that attitude you can imagine how different the world would be.”
Asked if he would like to see Meghan at the event, Mr O’Connor said: “I think everyone in the Games, all the competitors, are bringing friends and family, and I think if we have the right to bring friends and family then surely Prince Harry does.”
He said anyone who wants to support the Invictus Games is welcome with open arms, adding that Meghan has been to previous Invictus events.
Mr O'Connor said: “So she has shown a continued support of the Games. I think she’s doing a great job,” he said, adding: “I would love to see her at the Games. If she is, great, and I hope they bring the kids as well so they’ve got the whole family there.”
Lucy Holt, 29, from Lincoln, said it would be “a nice surprise” if the family turned up. Ms Holt, who is competing in powerlifting, indoor rowing, wheelchair basketball and athletics, said Harry’s family are very supportive of the Invictus Games.
Ms Holt said the Games are great for children to see as they showcase what can be achieved with disabilities. She said: “I think it’s a great way to kind of highlight to his family what he has achieved and what he is still achieving."
Jason Finlay, 50, who lives in Amesbury, said he found Harry “very relaxing” to talk to on the couple of times they met. Mr Finlay, who is competing in sitting volleyball and athletics, said: “It was great to meet him, to be honest. You can see the military ethos that he has through his military service.”
Team UK will compete in nine sports at the Invictus Games: athletics, archery, wheelchair basketball, cycling, powerlifting, indoor rowing, wheelchair rugby, swimming and sitting volleyball. Harry played an instrumental role in bringing the Games to the UK in 2014 when 300 competitors from 13 countries took part in the inaugural competition in London.
