Invictus Games competitor pictured holding hands with Meghan Markle in Dusseldorf says the intimate moment was a reflection of ‘mutual empathy and respect’

A woman pictured with Meghan Markle at the Invictus Games has revealed how the moment came to be.

The Team France member was captured on camera holding hands with the Duchess of Sussex, 42, as they appeared to share a tender moment.

In the photo, Meghan appears to be speaking to the woman, who is wearing a Team France t-shirt, and listening intently.

After professional photographer and friend of the Sussexes, Misan Harriman, 46, shared the intimate snap on social media, the woman took to Instagram to praise the Duchess for the ‘respect’ and empathy’ she showed during their meeting.

She also revealed Meghan shared a few words in French with her.

The woman in a photo with the Duchess of Sussex at the Invictus Games 2023 has revealed the story behind the black and white snap

Taking to Instagram, the Team France competitor, who is part of the sitting volleyball team, said: ‘The Duchess of Sussex and…yep, that’s me. How did I end up in this situation ?! Here comes the story…’

The woman went on to explain that she only spotted the Duchess after a friend pointed her out, but added that Meghan was eager to approach her for a chat.

She said that Harriman, who has photographed some key family moments for the Sussexes including Princess Lilibet’s first birthday party, managed to capture an image which is ‘the embodiment of mutual gratitude, empathy and respect’.

The woman added that she and the Duchess of Sussex exchanged a few words in French after Meghan realised she was on Team France.

The Team France competitor, who is part of the sitting volleyball team, revealed on Instagram how the moment came to be

The photo shared by Harriman was one of many arty snaps he took of the Sussexes at the Invictus Games 2023 in Dusseldorf.

One of the images showed Meghan proudly watching Harry onstage as he practised his closing speech to a near-empty room at the Merkur Spiel-Arena in Dusseldorf in September. 

Another captured the mother-of-two, 42, affectionately placing her hand on the Duke’s back as he chatted to guests, with the Duchess thought to be wearing her strapless £830 Cult Gaia dress.

‘Lovely moments from this years @weareinvictusgames,’ Mr Harriman wrote in the caption of one of his posts.

Elsewhere, the couple are pictured in the audience clapping while dressed in all their finery, with Meghan looking glamorous in her sleeveless gown and Harry sporting a smart suit and shirt.

Prince Harry, who served in the British Army for 10 years and served two tours in Afghanistan, created the Paralympics-style competition for injured, sick and wounded service personnel and veterans, with the first event taking place in 2014.

In the week that Heart of Invictus was released on Netflix, Misan Harriman shared a brooding black and white photo of Harry on his Instagram account and heaped praise upon him.

Prince Harry and Meghan Markle ‘s friend – who has photographed some of the couple’s most cherished family moments – has shared behind-the-scene images from this year’s Invictus Games (pictured)

Another captured the mother-of-two, 42, affectionately placing her hand on the Duke’s back as he chatted to guests, with the Duchess thought to be wearing her strapless £830 Cult Gaia dress

Mr Harriman praised both the Duke and the Invictus Games itself for its contribution to improving the lives of injured veterans.

The photo, which was taken during the 2022 Invictus Games in The Netherlands, showed Prince Harry standing alone while dressed in a black shirt.

Mr Harriman wrote: ‘I’m so proud of this man and the incredible space of healing that is [The Invictus Games].’

He continued: ‘Countless lives have been changed through the very real sense of community that Prince Harry has built with the Invictus Games.

‘I took this picture on the last day of last years games in The Hague. Empathy and purpose can go a long, long way.’ He then posted several hashtags including ‘mental health’, ‘be kind’ and ‘support our veterans’.

In September 2020, Mr Harriman, who has two daughters with Camilla Holmstroem, became the first black male photographer to shoot a British Vogue cover in its then-105-year history.

The activist-themed cover featured England footballer Marcus Rashford and model Adwoa Aboah, with Mr Harriman working with a predominantly black team on set.

A year before, the Duchess of Sussex guest edited the September issue, which is traditionally the magazine’s most important of the year.

Photography is Harriman’s second career, after previously working in finance but he’s proved prolific since getting behind the lens.

He’s photographed everyone from Demi Lovato and Ed Harris to Elton’s husband David Furnish. Elton and David are long-time friends of Harry and Meghan.

The photographer told British Vogue at the couple’s second pregnancy announcement shoot that the Duchess of Sussex had thanked him for helping her find love with Prince Harry, saying: ‘Meg reminded me that had I not introduced her to a mutual friend then she wouldn’t have met Harry. I’m grateful for whatever small part I played.’