Prince Harry does knee slide and kisses bald man’s head as he joins in boisterous celebrations of one of the last events of the Invictus Games
Prince Harry got caught up in the emotion of one of the last events of the Invictus Games as he cheered from the sidelines at the sitting volleyball finals.
Surrounded by supporters of the Nigerian team he was clearly enjoying himself as he cheered on the team in the final against Brazil.
Later, after presenting the gold medal to the victorious Brazil team he joined in a group photo of all the finalists who had gathered with their arms around each other on the court.
Harry did a short knee slide across the court to make sure he was in the centre of the celebrating teams and joined in their boisterous celebrations.
The Prince had spent the day attending sitting volleyball matches at the Vancouver Convention Centre where he did his best to sit with friends and family of all the teams competing for the gold medal.
With Brazil straight set winners he handed out medals to the team, many of whom were overcome with emotion and burst into tears as they accepted their medals.
One of the players was so overcome with emotion that he buried his head in Harry’s shoulders and wept.
Harry then planted a quick kiss on the bald head of another member of the team as he walked along the presenting line.
Prince Harry salutes during the sitting volleyball final at Vancouver Convention Centre during the 2025 Invictus Games on Saturday
The Duke of Sussex plants a kiss on a bald man’s head during the Invictus Games this weekend
Harry makes two fists in celebration at the Invictus Games in Vancouver on Saturday
The Duke participates in a Mexican wave during the sitting volleyball final
Harry reacts as he sits with the Brazil, Nigeria and Ukraine team members
The Duke during the medal presentation following the sitting volleyball final
Harry looks elated as he poses for photos at Saturday’s celebrations in Vancouver
The Prince’s next appearance will be at the closing ceremony where the Invictus flag will be handed to Team UK as the 2027 games are being held in Birmingham.
On Friday, Harry admitted that he has therapy to help him cope with listening the stories of injured military veterans taking part in the Invictus Games.
On hearing how a Canadian officer suffered from PTSD from stories of trauma and grief in Afghanistan, the Duke of Sussex said he too would have therapy to cope.
In a pre-recorded TV special broadcast on Canadian TV on Thursday, Harry also told how the Invictus Games keeps the legacy of his mother Princess Diana alive for his own children.
Harry said he was moved by the stories of military veterans who had suffered physical life-changing injuries and also from many who were later diagnosed with PTSD from serving in war zones.
He said: ‘People come forward more to share, you know their stories, and I don’t always get the chance to have that really deep conversation with them.
Harry smiles during the medal presentation after the sitting volleyball final in Vancouver
Harry reacts with a Ukrainian team member after they won the bronze medal in Sitting Volleyball
Harry hugs a sportsperson during the medal presentation following the sitting volleyball final on Saturday
Harry shakes hands with sportspeople during the sitting volleyball final this weekend
Harry watches the sitting volleyball final at Vancouver Convention Centre on Saturday
Harry salutes in celebration at the games on Saturday, which are coming to an end soon
Harry embraces a Ukrainian team member after the team won the bronze medal in Sitting Volleyball
‘A lot of times I do. You know, if there would be a time and a place for that, and timing is everything, and the last thing I want to do is be the person to probe a little bit deeper.’
The former Army captain, who served two tours in Afghanistan during a 10-year career, said listening to former soldiers and their issues takes its toll.
‘I have therapy,’ the Prince said in the interview with TV anchor Omar Sachedina.
His comment came as former Canadian soldier Mark Beare revealed how he has suffered from PTSD as a result of having to listen to the trauma and grief of other soldiers who had lost friends in combat.
