Get all your news in one place.
100’s of premium titles.
One app.
Start reading
Daily Mirror
Daily Mirror
World
Jennifer Newton

Prince Harry and Meghan Markle arrive hand-in-hand for Invictus Games opening ceremony

Prince Harry and Meghan Markle arrived hand-in-hand for the opening ceremony of the 2022 Invictus Games.

The pair were cheered as they made their way into the arena and waved at fans as they took their seats in the front row.

Harry looked smart in a grey suit with an open collar shirt while Meghan paired dark trousers with a £620 white off the shoulder body suit by Khaite and a £12,800 Cartier necklace.

The couple both addressed the audience at the event, which is also being attended by members of the Dutch royal family and the country’s prime minister.

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.

Meghan paired black trousers with an off the shoulder white top while Harry opted for a grey suit (Max Mumby)
The pair entered the arena to cheers from the crowd (©Karwai Tang)

Meghan first took to the stage to introduce her husband.

She spoke about how he had put in "late nights and early morning" to make the 2022 Games perfect and told how she "could not "love and respect him more".

She added: "He is 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.”

Harry and Meghan make their way to their seats (REUTERS)
The couple sat in the front row for the opening ceremony (PA)

Love the royals? Sign up for the Mirror's daily newsletter to get all the latest news on the Queen, Charles, Kate, Wills, Meghan, Harry and the rest of The Firm. Click here to sign up.

When Harry arrived on the stage, he talked about how it was great to be back and told the crowd how he had missed them.

He then spoke sweetly about young son Archie, who is almost three, and revealed how they chat about what the toddler wants to be when he grows up.

Harry said: "To be role models, or the role models, that each of you are takes strength and it takes courage.

“When I talk to my son Archie about what he wants to be when he grows up, some days it’s an astronaut, other days it’s a pilot – a helicopter pilot obviously. Or Kwazii from Octonauts. If you’re laughing then you’ve seen that.

The couple held hands as they arrived at the ceremony (PA)

“But what I remind him is that no matter what you want to be when you grow up, it’s your character that matters most, and nothing would make his mum and me prouder than to see him have the character of what we see before us today.”

Harry said those involved with Invictus have “overcome immense challenges”, adding: “And together you are healing and teaching the world as you go.”

Princess Margriet, Prince Pieter-Christiaan and Prime Minister Mark Rutte are also among those attending, with Mr Rutte also giving a speech on the importance of the Invictus Games.

The couple exchange a kiss after Meghan introduces Harry to the stage (REUTERS)

Meanwhile earlier today, the couple were taken for a spin by a couple of young drivers in mini cars at the Invictus Games.

Harry and Meghan hopped into miniature open-topped Land Rover vehicles driven by two little girls ahead of the event’s opening ceremony in The Hague.

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.

Prince Harry during his speech at the Invictus Games this evening (NOS.NL)
Meghan gives her speech at the opening ceremony (Getty Images for Invictus Games)

Their appearance at The Hague’s Zuiderpark came after they secretly visited the Queen and met with the Prince of Wales in Windsor on Thursday, having flown into the UK from their home in the US.

A crew has joined Harry and Meghan at the games as part of filming for a Netflix documentary called Heart Of Invictus – a series from Archewell Productions following people who are competing at the event.

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.

Harry is bringing a claim against the Home Office after being told he would no longer be given the same degree of personal protective security when visiting from the US, despite offering to pay for it himself.

Sign up to read this article
Read news from 100’s of titles, curated specifically for you.
Already a member? Sign in here
Related Stories
Top stories on inkl right now
One subscription that gives you access to news from hundreds of sites
Already a member? Sign in here
Our Picks
Fourteen days free
Download the app
One app. One membership.
100+ trusted global sources.