Prince Harry gets emotional as he delivers a moving speech at tonight’s Invictus Games closing ceremony which saw him and a glowing Meghan take centre stage
Prince Harry became emotional during his moving speech at the closing ceremony of the Invictus Games in Dusseldorf, Germany, earlier this evening.
His five-minute speech saluted those who have taken part in the week-long games, which were founded in 2014 for veterans to represent their county and compete in.
Meghan Markle stood alongside her husband in a glowing green dress. During the ceremony she couldn’t hide her pride as she beamed at Team USA when they took their place for the closing ceremony of the Invictus Games.
She looked on adoringly as the team walked on stage to Bruce Springsteen’s Born in the USA. Meghan clapped along to the song as it reverberated around the Merkur Spiel-Arena and blew kisses to the team.
Prince Harry also joined the applause from his front row seat – and took to the stage to thank people for coming.
The Duke of Sussex delivers a speech during the closing ceremony of the 6th Invictus Games
Meghan beams and Harry pumps his fist as the Invictus Games draw to a close
Prince Harry, Duke of Sussex, Meghan, Duchess of Sussex, Rita Ora and Sam Ryder pose tonight before the closing ceremony of the Invictus Games
Meghan and Harry enjoying the closing ceremony at the Invictus Games in Dusseldorf
The couple chat as they watch the closing ceremony which celebrated the 6th Invictus Games
Meghan was glowing in an £830 Cult Gaia dress laser-cut with floral patterns, along with £525 leather pumps from Aquazzura
Meghan could be seen waving during the ceremony, which saw the US team enter the stage to Bruce Springsteen’s iconic hit Born In The USA
Dominic Reid, chief executive of the Invictus Games, Meghan Markle, Prince Harry, Elke Bundenbender and Frank-Walter Steinmeier, president of Germany, at the Invictus Games closing ceremony in Dusseldorf
Duke and Duchess of Sussex attend the closing ceremony of the Invictus Game in Dusseldorf
The US team at the Invictus Games closing ceremony on Saturday. The team entered the stage to Born In The USA by Bruce Springsteen – to the approval of the Duchess of Sussex
Prince Harry took to the stage to thank the athletes who took part in the games. He had opened the game by telling the audience: ‘Ich Bin ein Düsseldorfer’ – I am a Düsseldorfer
Thumping dance music greeted each of the teams as they took to the stage with the Ukrainian team given a standing ovation.
Harry and Meghan stood clapping each of the teams. He was sat next to Elke Budenbender the wife of the German President, Frank-Walter Steinmeier.
Harry, dressed in a dark suit and dark shirt, could be seen leaning over to speak to Mr Steinmeier during the closing ceremony.
Meghan, meanwhile, was glowing in green, wearing an £830 Raylene dress from Cult Gaia, laser-cut with floral patterns.
She also wore a pair of £525 Purist leather pumps from Aquazzura, £595 Kimai diamond earrings made with lab-grown stones, a £5,000 Cartier bracelet and a £50,000 Lorraine Schwartz emerald cut diamond pinky ring.
Eurovision Song Contest runner up Sam Ryder performed two songs before the closing speeches began and it was revealed 140,000 people had attended the games.
The Space Man singer could be seen holding Meghan’s hand as he performed.
German Federal President Frank-Walter Steinmeier spoke of the ‘community’ feel of the games.
He said the competitors refusal to give up was an example to everyone and people who have served their country should not be forgotten.
He referenced the invasion of Ukraine and told the team they have the support of everyone calling it an ‘illegal war’.
The pledge of support was given a two minute standing ovation. He also thanked the Duke of Sussex for launching the games nine years ago, before the prince took to the stage for his own closing remarks.
The Duke of Sussex could be seen leaning in to speak to Frank-Walter Steinmeier, the President of Germany, during the closing ceremony of the Invictus Games
The Duchess of Sussex’s dress was laser-cut with floral patterns rendered in a ‘seamoss’ hue
Duke and Duchess of Sussex clapped during the Invictus closing ceremony at the Merkur Spiel-Arena
Meghan, in a glittering green dress, greets a competitor of the Invictus Games
The Duchess of Sussex goes in to hug an adoring fan at the closing ceremony
Meghan clapped for the Invictus athletes as the closing ceremony continued in Germany
Harry and Meghan could be seen laughing and smiling as the athletes took to the stage
Harry embraced Anna-Sofia Puzanova, an Invictus athlete whose paramedic mother has been captured by Russian forces in Ukraine
Harry began his speech by thanking the audience in German.
He had opened the games by declaring Ich Bin ein Düsseldorfer. ( I am a Düsseldorfer).
As he talked about the Canadian bagpipe player a camera cut to the former soldier weeping.
He was given a standing ovation and Harry again thanked him for his service.
He then hugged Anna-Sofia Puzanova, daughter of the captured paramedic Yulia Paievska, who won bronze for Ukraine at the Invictus Games.
The five minute was interspersed with applause, and Meghan tenderly kissed Harry’s shoulder as he sat down after delivering his emotion packed speech.
Harry and Meghan left the arena before Rita Ora’s last song to avoid getting caught up in a crush with the crowd. They will fly back to America on Sunday where they will be reunited with children Archie and Lillibet.
Earlier in the day, Meghan was seen hugging an athlete draped in the American flag as she took centre stage on the final day of the Invictus Games today.
The Duchess of Sussex, 42, handed the gold medal to Danielle Pothoof at the Swimming Medals Ceremony during day seven of the sporting event in Dusseldorf.
Wearing £260 trousers and a £580 trench coat from Cuyana as well as £545 Aquazurra purist pumps the royal hugged the athlete donning the star-spangled banner and couldn’t help but grin.
Danielle, who competes in both swimming and sitting volleyball at the games, served in the US Marine Corps as a Staff Sergeant.
While serving in Afghanistan in 2011, Danielle’s unit drove over a IED – leaving her critically injured and eventually needing a leg amputation.
Rita Ora performing during the closing ceremony of the Invictus Games in Dusseldorf
The British star took to the stage to celebrate the 6th Invictus Games
Rita Ora performs during the closing ceremony of the Invictus Games
The couple enjoyed the closing ceremony together before rushing out early to avoid crowds
The Parade of Nations takes place during the closing ceremony, with the Ukraine flag taking centre stage
Sam Ryder performed two songs during the closing ceremony of the Invictus Games
The British Eurovision winner could be seen smiling and held Meghan’s hand as he performed
Space Man singer Sam Ryder performing during the closing ceremony of the Invictus Games
The Ukraine team entered the stage for the closing ceremony to a standing ovation, clutching Ukrainian flags and applauding
The Merkur Spiel-Arena was packed out with spectators for the Invictus Games closing ceremony in Dusseldorf, Germany on Saturday
The Duchess also put her name to a huge ‘tribute wall’ adorned with messages from visitors to the games – choosing to sign her trademark ‘M’ close to a tribute to Harry’s mother, Diana, Princess of Wales.
Yesterday, Prince Harry was given a special birthday greeting – with spectators at the Invictus Games singing Happy Birthday to him in both English and German.
Harry clapped along and smiled next to the Duchess – before he mouthed ‘thank you’ to the spectators.
Harry was later presented with a birthday cake by the Mayor of Dusseldorf, Dr Stephen Keller. The cake was in the colours of the Invictus Games with the words: ‘Happy Birthday Prince Harry, The Duke of Sussex.’
Last night the couple celebrated with bratwurst sausages, wiener schnitzels and beers in a traditional German bar.
The Duke and Duchess of Sussex enjoyed a night out in Dusseldorf with friends as the Invictus Games draws to a close.
Bar staff said the royals were ‘lovely’ and left a ‘big tip’ as they enjoyed plates piled high with red cabbage and mashed potato. While Harry celebrated with six half-pints, his wife stuck to just one small drink.
Prince Harry celebrated his 39th birthday drinking beer with the Veteran’s Minister Johnny Mercer (right)
Meghan enjoyed a few sips of Harry’s birthday beer as they watched the volleyball final yesterday
Harry famously went teetotal and abandoned caffeine when Meghan was pregnant with Archie, dumping beer, tea and coffee for green juices. In 2018 he raised a glass of water while everyone else was drinking champagne in solidarity with his wife. He also quit smoking.
Waiters described having ‘goosebumps’ as the couple arrived with close friends and aides last night. Diners at the restaurant and bar were asked not to take pictures but said they saw him laughing and joking as the food arrived at his table. He also looked thrilled when a birthday cake arrived at the end of the ‘family meal’.
He and Meghan happily posed for photographs with the owner Thea Ungermann and head waiter Frank Wackers who has worked at the restaurant for 38 years and happily shared images with MailOnline. Thea said: ‘He was a lovely man and was having a very jolly time. Meghan was lovely.’
She added: ‘The couple were very relaxed, they drank our beer, Schumacher Alt – it’s the same beer they are serving at the Invictus Games. Harry and Meghan sat next to each other during the meal. I had goosebumps when they walked into the restaurant, I had watched his speech on the stage at the Invictus Games and couldn’t believe he was in my restaurant. Prince Harry gave me a hug’.
