Crack a smile, Harry! Prince waves awkwardly as stadium full of fans belts out German version of Happy Birthday as Sussexes get a rock-star welcome at Invictus Games volleyball final that left Meghan teary-eyed

Prince Harry today saw his 39th birthday marked by a stadium full of fans singing a German version of Happy Birthday at the Invictus Games in Düsseldorf, ahead of a volleyball final medal ceremony that left Meghan Markle teary eyed. 

The packed out stadium first belted out a rendition of ‘Happy Birthday’ in English after a commentator told the crowd it was Harry’s 39th, before going on to sing the German version of the song with the words ‘Zum Geburtstag viel Glück’.

The Duke of Sussex looked caught by surprise as he waved awkwardly while the crowd burst into song and Meghan clapped along. He was then ushered to stand up and walk to the front row where he fist bumped the Invictus Games mascot Teddy. 

As the English version of Happy Birthday came to an end, the commentator then told the royal: ‘Prince Harry, wait a second, we are here in Germany. There is also a German version!’ before the crowd went into a German rendition of the song. 

The birthday celebrations came after the Duke and Duchess of Sussex received a rock star reception when taking their seats in the Centre Court stand to watch the sitting volleyball final between Poland and Colombia.

The pair both enjoyed a celebratory beer on the Duke’s 39th birthday, with Meghan – in her third outfit of the day – spotted taking a few sneaky sips of Harry’s pint while he was chatting to Veteran’s Minister Johnny Mercer.

Meghan was later seen wiping away tears from both eyes during a medal ceremony after congratulating athletes from Poland’s victorious volleyball team, following tense game that had caused Prince Harry to jump out of his seat with excitement as the final points were scored. 

Prince Harry celebrates his 39th birthday drinking beer with the Veteran’s Minister Johnny Mercer (right)

Meghan enjoys a few sips of Harry’s birthday beer as they watch the volleyball final 

Meghan was spotted sipping a pint of beer which Harry had handed to her

Birthday beers for Prince Harry on his 39th birthday spent at the Invictus Games 

Meghan was spotted sneaking a few sips of Harry’s pint while he chatted 

The Duke and Duchess embrace following the medal ceremony 

Meghan and Harry hand out gold medals to Poland following the game 

Meghan and Harry appear fully invested in the volleyball final between Poland and Colombia 

The lively crowd at the volleyball final jump out of their seats as point are scored 

Meghan appeared to become overcome with emotion during the medal ceremony 

Meghan and Harry pose for a photo with the winning team 

Meghan’s final look which she wore to the volleyball final was a navy shirt dress

Prince Harry and Veteran’s Minister Johnny Mercer react wildly to the game 

Meghan’s first look of the day was a muted outfit, as she sported a matching cream playsuit from Zara and a Celine blazer.

Bringing a touch of glitz to the outing, the royal styled her hair in loose waves and sported a glamorous make-up look while opting for fashionable black sandals. 

She then opted to change into a long grey dress especially for the Team Canada Reception at the Hilton Hotel.

Her final look which she wore to the volleyball final was a flowing navy shirt dress. 

During a time out in the match Meghan clapped along to the Macarena song as it blasted out around the arena.

Harry didn’t join in with her but chatted happily to the Veterans Minister Johnny Mercer.

As Prince Harry turned 39 today, he partied with Meghan in a traditional German bar last night where he washed down bratwurst sausage and wiener schnitzel with six beers, MailOnline can reveal. 

Harry is said to have had six half pints of Alt Schumacher, a local beer which is served at the Merkur-Spiel Arena – the venue for this year’s Invictus Games – while wife Meghan stuck to a single half-pint.

Harry is spotted jumping up to cheer during the final of the volleyball match in Dusseldorf 

Meghan and Harry hand out medals to Poland players who were victorious in the volleyball final 

The prince was given a white chocolate birthday cake by the restaurant, which the party later took back to their hotel. Harry was seen laughing and joking by diners as their party sat across two tables in a raised section of the restaurant.

Harry and Meghan were understood to be in ‘joyful spirits’, toasting and laughing with their team. Meghan wore a red and white striped top, white jeans and a pair of nude ballet pumps with her hair styled in an updo, while Harry wore a blue shirt, jeans and trainers.

The couple posed for photographs with staff including owner Thea Ungermann and Frank Wackers, the restaurant’s head waiter of 38 years who served the couple their food.

Posting the photo on Instagram, the restaurant said in German: ‘So proud! Impressed by very likeable people. Those who enjoyed our Schumi Alt, wiener schnitzel, blood sausage and German sausages.’

Mr Wackers told the Mail the Duke had six small beers – about half a pint rather than the litre-sized beers most German breweries serve. He said: ‘They were very happy. He is a lovely man and they were so nice.’ Asked about Meghan, Mr Wackers said: ‘She was a nice woman, speaks only great, didn’t want to cause us any trouble, she wanted to have traditional German food.’

After the meal, the couple strolled through the old town’s cobblestoned streets past a string of lively bars, waving to fans as they walked by.

Earlier today, Meghan posed for selfies with fans outside the Merkur Spiel-Arena in Dusseldorf.

She seemed more than happy to grant selfie requests from eager fans – including one group of women who urged the stylish Duchess to pose for their photo.

Prince Harry, Duke of Sussex reacts during the sitting volleyball finals at the 2023 Invictus Games

Stunned faces and arms swung in the air by the crowd during the volleyball final

Harry and Meghan received their usual rock star reception when taking their seats in the Centre Court stand to watch the sitting volleyball final between Poland and Colombia

Both Meghan and Harry appear elated whilst watching the volleyball final in Dusseldorf 

The Duke and Duchess chatted to those around them during the game

Meghan Markle got into the spirit of the Invictus Games today as she gleefully posed for selfies with fans outside the Merkur Spiel-Arena in Dusseldorf

Meghan seems unable to watch as Prince Harry cheers 

The mother-of-two, 42, beamed as she chatted to delighted crowds waiting to catch a glimpse of the Duke and Duchess of Sussex

The Duchess of Sussex meets fans outside the Merkur Spiel-Arena during the Invictus Games in Dusseldorf, Germany

Later on as Harry and Meghan took to their seats in the stands for the sitting volleyball, the stadium announcer asked the crowd: ‘Is there anybody here celebrating their own special occasion today?

‘Anyone’s birthday? Oh I think it is someone’s birthday. A certain Prince Harry, the Duke of Sussex, 39 today. Happy birthday! Let’s sing along.’

The crowd then joined in with a rendition of the song, as Harry clapped along and smiled next to the Duchess – before he mouthed ‘thank you’ to the spectators. 

The couple also managed to fit in a reception thrown by the Canadian delegation to promote the 2025 Invictus Games that will feature winter sports for the first time.

Meghan chatted with members of the committee that will be organising the games to be held in Vancouver – a city they know well having fled there in 2019 after quitting royal life. 

Fittingly, it was the Invictus Games in 2017 where Meghan and Harry had their first ever public appearance.

Meghan has close friends in the city and holds great affection for Canada having lived in Toronto while she was filming the series ‘Suits’.

Meanwhile the couple are very familiar with Vancouver having temporarily moved there in 2019 when they split from the royal family.

They stayed on Vancouver Island at a home on at a £14m home in North Saanich, British Columbia, following their decision to step back from being working members of the royal family.

Meghan Markle turned on the charm as she joined Prince Harry at a reception thrown by the Canadian delegation to promote the 2025 Invictus Games that will feature winter sports for the first time

The Duchess of Sussex, 42, chatted with members of the committee that will be organising the games to be held in Vancouver – a city they know well having fled there in 2019 after quitting royal life

Prince Harry puts his thumbs up to the crowd at the Invictus Games in Dusseldorf this morning

Meghan looked glamorous in a sleeveless grey dress which resembled the fit of her wedding dress

The Duke and Duchess arrive to watch sitting volleyball at the Merkur Spiel-Arena today

Fittingly, it was the Invictus Games in 2017 where Meghan and Harry had their first ever public appearance (pictured). 

Harry wore a dark blue suit with an open neck blue shirt as they mingled with the guests at the Hilton Hotel a short distance from where the games have been held.

The Governments of Canada and British Columbia have pledged to spend almost £20m to stage the games in February 2025.

And for the first-time adaptive winter sports including alpine skiing, Nordic skiing and curling will be included in the programme of weeklong events and staged in the resort of Whistler.

Officials have said the local indigenous population are being consulted over the planning of the games.