Adorable moment Prince Harry embraces daughter of Team Ukraine Invictus Games athlete – before he pledges ‘the world stands with you’
Prince Harry beamed as he realised that an adorable little girl who was asking for his autograph was the daughter of a Team Ukraine player at the Invictus Games in Canada.
The Duke of Sussex, 40, was visibly touched at the heartwarming revelation as he chatted with fans – before delivering a message of solidarity with the war-torn nation.
The sweet exchange, captured on Instagram Stories by her mother @nastia_tyutenko and attendee @virapasishnyuk, captured the moment the royal was signing what appeared to be a booklet of the country’s players.
The child held out a particular page, to which the father-of-two replied: ‘Your dad?’
When people in the audience confirmed, a grinning Harry questioned: ‘Where is he now?’
When Oleksandr Androschuk – who last week won gold for snowboarding – approached, the Duke appeared delighted as both men laughed.
‘I did not know this was your daughter!’ Harry remarked. ‘That’s amazing, I love that. I think she’s asking me to sign this?’
The royal then penned his signature, and finished with an affectionate pat on the head.
Prince Harry shared a sweet exchange with a young fan at the Invictus Games – before delivering a message of solidarity with Ukraine
The royal hugged his young fan in a sweet snap, as he posed for photos with supporters at the Games
In other snaps, he was pictured hugging his sweet fan.
Elsewhere, another Team Ukraine supporter in attendance, @ann_iriska, captured Harry’s message of support for the country – which this month marked the third year since Russia’s invasion.
He, along with Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau made a ‘surprise’ appearance in front of a small audience.
‘You can take that back to Ukraine with you,’ Harry said. ‘I said the same thing last time… I know there’s new faces and new competitors here.
‘The whole world, this whole Invictus community and the whole world stands with you.
Take that back with you to Ukraine and thank you for taking the time to come and join us.
Prince Harry beamed as he realised that an adorable little girl who was asking for his autograph was the daughter of a Team Ukraine player at the Invictus Games in Canada
The Duke of Sussex , 40, was visibly touched at the heartwarming revelation as he chatted with fans – before delivering a message of solidarity with the war-torn nation
‘It would not be an Invictus games without you.’
Justin, who began his message by chanting ‘Slava Ukraini’ – meaning ‘Glory to Ukraine’ – added that it was ‘a pleasure’ to meet the team.
Remarking on their performance at the games, he joked: ‘You could’ve left a few more medals for Canadians but OK!’
‘I know it’s an incredibly worrisome time for loved ones back home,’ Justin continued, remarking that Ukraine’s time at Invictus ‘inspires not just him but everyone who gets to watch’.
Elsewhere last night, Harry was brought to tears as he was told he had changed the lives of so many people as an emotion charged ceremony closed the Invictus Games in Vancouver.
He visibly welled up after Canadian Premier Justin Trudeau spoke of the impact the Prince had on so many injured military veterans and their families with his work and dedication.
The royal gave a thumbs up to the speech and looked down with tears in his eyes as the 20,000 people at the ceremony gave him a lengthy standing ovation.
And 1,000 miles away at their home in California his wife Meghan posted to her Instagram a video clip of Harry being applauded with the words: ‘So proud of you.’
Elsewhere, another Team Ukraine supporter in attendance, @ann_iriska , captured Harry’s message of support for the country – which this month marked the third year since Russia’s invasion
During the two-hour ceremony the Prince and Trudeau each paid glowing tribute to the military veterans who have taken part in the games and saluted their courage and resilience.
In his speech, the Duke of Sussex acknowledged the world was still ‘full of strife and trauma’.
He delivered his address saying it was from ‘one soldier to another’ and said he wanted to honour not only those at the games but ‘comrades, friends of loved ones lost to battle or to suicide’.
Harry also took time to honour the four First Nations on whose land the games had taken place.
He told leaders of the indigenous tribes: ‘What your people have endured should never have happened.’
He continued: ‘You show the world how to move forward. Armed with truth in order to achieve reconciliation.’
Harry told the audience that the Invictus community was making the world a better place.
‘You might swear allegiance to different flags, but you stand united in your decency, your compassion and your spirit of service.
He, along with Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau made a ‘surprise’ appearance in front of a small audience
‘I can’t stand before you and promise there won’t be challenging times ahead. But I promise you, you’re better equipped now than you ever were before.’
He ended the speech shouting out: ‘Bring on Invictus Birmingham 2027.’
The spectacle was held at the Rogers Stadium in downtown Vancouver.
Musical performances from The Bare Naked Ladies and US country and western singer Jelly Roll added to the party atmosphere inside the stadium which is usually home to the Vancouver Cannucks hockey team.
Justin, who had earlier sat with Harry at the indoor rowing event held in the Vancouver Convention Centre, told the audience: ‘Service to your country is the noblest of all. Your strength and resilience is inspiring.’
He was wildly cheered when he paid tribute to the Ukrainian team and pledged that their fight for freedom would continue.
And in a veiled swipe at US President Trump who has ruptured relations with Canada by imposing trade tariffs he said: ‘To our neighbour and allies the Americans we have stood together for generations. Americans are our friends and always will be.’
One of the most emotional moments came when Chole Angus walked the Invictus flag on to the stage in a groundbreaking exoskeleton created by British Columbia’s Human in Motion Robotics.
Harry – pictured – also took time to honour the four First Nations on whose land the games had taken place
Harry heard musical performances from The Bare Naked Ladies and US country and western singer Jelly Roll , which added to the party atmosphere inside the stadium
Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, who had earlier sat with Harry at the indoor rowing event held in the Vancouver Convention Centre (pictured), paid glowing tribute to the military veterans who have taken part in the games
The UK team then took centre stage with the poignant handing over of the flag from Veteran’s Minister Al Carns.
The MP accepted it on behalf of the city of Birmingham where the games will be held in July 2027.
The former Royal Marine Colonel said: ‘Many of us, especially those who served in Iraq and Afghanistan, have come back to Birmingham for treatment at the Queen Elizabeth Hospital, playing a key role in their recovery.
‘For them, to return to Birmingham, and to take part in the next games, will complete their journey to recovery.
‘The Invictus Games is not just about courage; it’s about the continuation of service for individuals who are given the opportunity to once again serve and represent a country.’
The Royal British Legions Team UK captains Stephen Hooper, Neil Thomas and Gemma Barnes received the flag to loud cheers from the excited spectators.
Hooper, an RAF veteran diagnosed with PTSD from his experiences in Iraq before being medically discharged in 2021, said: ‘Team UK have had an awesome week in Vancouver Whistler!
‘We’ve enjoyed stunning scenery and made memories to last a lifetime.
‘We arrived in Canada full of anticipation – we leave stronger, braver, more resilient and closer than ever to our recovery. We are proud to bring Games home to Birmingham in 27.’
The Royal British Legion and Ministry of Defence supported 62 competitors at Invictus to represent their nation and aid in their recovery journey.
Several gold medals were won with Elizabeth Brown winning the Skeleton with a speed of 100km per hour and became the fastest woman of the competition.
Harry had launched the games in 2014 after visiting the Warrior Games for US military veterans the year previously.
For 2025 it was the first time the games have been held in two separate destinations with the adaptive winter sports taking place in Whistler.
Two thousand volunteers had ensured the smooth running of the eight days of competition.
Organisers revealed they had served over 3,000 litres of hot chocolate and given away 72,000 meals to friends and family.
