Meghan and Harry reunite at Invictus Games hotel party: Duke takes back seat as Duchess makes ‘off the cuff’ speech about bracelet she was given as a gift and how she did the school run before leaving for Germany

Meghan Markle and Prince Harry reunited at a glitzy Invictus Games hotel party last night, where the duchess took centre stage to make an ‘off the cuff’ speech in front of hundreds of military veterans.

The Duke of Sussex, who was last pictured with his wife on September 1 at a Beyoncé concert in California, took a back seat as Meghan spoke of her parenting duties and praised competitors.

She spoke of receiving ‘a few gifts’ from the Canadian team, competing at the Games in Dusseldorf, Germany, including a bracelet engraved with the initials of former personnel unable to attend the event.

Acknowledging that she had missed the opening days of the games in Germany, she explained she had been spending time with her children, Prince Archie, four, and Princess Lilibet, two, at the couple’s Montecito mansion before jetting off.

Meghan spoke of taking the youngsters out to get milkshakes and carting her eldest off the school in Los Angeles before she jumped on a jet to the games. 

Meghan Markle took centre stage at a glittering party held in Dusseldorf hotel  

It’s the first time that Harry and Meghan have been seen together at the games 

Meghan wore a black Banana Republic dress, Bottega Veneta belt and Aquazurra shoes 

Duchess of Sussex meets athlete Glory Essien at the Invictus Games 

Prince Harry, who founded the competition in 2014, took a back seat as the spotlight was on Meghan 

In an emotional address to 1,600 competitors friends and family at the hotel, the duchess said: ‘I’m really proud to be part of this Invictus family with all of you. I’m grateful for all of you that are here. 

‘We’ve also received a few gifts from the Canadian team we got a bracelet and on that bracelets they put the initials of one of the people who wasn’t able to make it here tonight.’

‘I’m sorry that I was a little late to the party,’ she added. ‘Just like so many of you, this is about family and friends and the community that Invictus has created, that Fisher House [a partner of the event] has created, so I just had to spend a little bit more time at home getting our little ones settled, getting milkshakes, doing school drop off, and then I landed a couple of hours ago.’

A source close to the couple said Meghan did not read from a prepared speech but spoke off the cuff.

Aides said Meghan, 42, did her own hair and make-up soon after arriving at her five star hotel in Dusseldorf and got ready for the event in just over an hour.

The event is being hosted by Dave Coker of the Fisher House Foundation, one of the main sponsors of the games. 

Officials from the Invictus Games Foundation were also in attendance.

Dr Stephan Keller, the Mayor of Dusseldorf, was also at the event where the Sussexes mingled with the families.

The two-hour event featured traditional German food and the evening will feature music and entertainment.

Meghan was cheered when taking to the stage at a conference hall adjoining Dusseldorf airport

Ahead of taking to the stage the Duke and Duchess of Sussex met friends and families of competitors 

Meghan and Harry pictured at the Invictus Games this evening 

Prince Harry mainly took a back seat during his wife’s speech but said a few words at the end when she handed him the microphone 

Meghan is pictured hugging Glory Essien as she meets competitors, friends and families 

Meghan made a cute reference to her children Archie and Lillibet during her maiden speech at the Invictus Games

She also said she would one day want to bring her children to the event so they could experience it for themselves.

Meghan, who wore a black Banana Republic dress, Bottega Veneta belt and Aquazurra shoes, stood side by side with Harry, as she was cheered loudly when taking to the stage at a conference hall adjoining Dusseldorf airport.

She opted for a pair of £595 hoop earrings from sustainable brand Kimai for the occasion.

She told the 1,600 guests: ‘I just landed a couple of hours ago and I am thrilled that the first event I can do for Invictus is here with all of you. It is amazing and I hear it has got off to a good start so far.’

As the crowd cheered Harry beamed and clapped enthusiastically.

Meghan took an evening flight from Los Angeles and after a brief stopover in Heathrow flew on to Dusseldorf.

Meghan told the audience she had visited a Fisher House in Los Angeles a few weeks ago and was ‘moved’ by what she saw. The organisation helps veterans and their families and are one of the main sponsors of the Invictus Games. 

Meghan beamed as she made her ‘off the cuff’ speech at the games this evening

Duke and Duchess of Sussex meet competitors and their friends and family

Harry took over the microphone after his wife joked he was a ‘man of few words tonight’

In the speech Meghan told the 1,600 guests: ‘It is so special to be here sorry I’m a little late to the party’

She said: ‘They understand, as does my husband, in previous Invictus Games how much rehabilitation matters, not just [as] a solitary experience but as a family.

‘I am very proud of the Invictus family that are here. 

‘Like so many of you, you know this is about friends and family and the community of Invictus has created and Fisher house created.’

Meghan said she had been sent some gifts and was wearing a bead bracelet she had received.

She held up her arm to loud cheers and said the initials of someone who was unable to make the games had been etched on them.

‘So many people at home are rooting for you. Thank you, and look forward to a fantastic week. I can’t wait until one day to bring our kids so they can experience how fantastic it is.’

Harry took over the microphone after his wife joked he was a ‘man of few words tonight’.

The duke welcomed friends and family and pointed out competitors were likely resting after a day of competition. He urged those in the room to swap phone numbers and photos so they could connect as part of the healing process.

Meghan pictured smiling as poses for a photo with athlete Glory Essien

Harry welcomed the friends and family and pointed out competitors were likely resting after a day of competition

The Duchess of Sussex beams after arriving at Dusseldorf Airport this afternoon 

Ahead of taking to the stage the couple met a number of competitors and family members of those competing in the games.

They presented the duke and duchess with a number of gifts including books, a bracelet and a medal which Prince Harry said to Meghan they should ‘keep and bring with them’.

The books were given to the Duke by Jayson Hooker, who is the husband of Ainsley Hooker a competitor.

Upon meeting Jayson, Harry quipped to Meghan: ‘I grabbed them [the books] and I went to grab his beard and he was weirdly ok with it,’ and the group shared a laugh.

Mari-liis Hull from Estonia also met the couple. Her husband is competing in the 1500m running and as well as rowing. She thanked the duchess for being so supportive, to which she replied: ‘It’s so lovely to meet you’.

Meghan then met Nigerian competitor Glory Essien, who upon meeting the Duchess exclaimed: ‘You’re my Nigerian sister!’ The duchess squealed and gave her a big hug.

Harry revealed at the opening ceremony that his wife was cheering on the African nation as he discovered she is 43 per cent Nigerian.

Prince Harry took a back seat and allowed his wife to take the spotlight as he stood next to her

Nigeria have been at the heart of this year’s Invictus Games as they are the first African country to compete.

On meeting Prince Harry and Meghan, Jenny Charles from the UK team said:

‘The Invictus Games wouldn’t exist without Harry and it was an honour to meet him and Meghan. Training for the Games these past six months has given my husband Charlie a purpose again and the whole family has seen such a change in him.

‘The Games has given me my husband back. When we spoke Harry joked that’s it’s no surprise that, as a former Marine, Charlie is taking part in all the swimming events! 

‘Harry remembered him from meeting him the other day, and he wished him luck for his events tomorrow. It was a really special meeting and one I won’t forget.’