Sweet moment school kids’ faces light up as Prince Harry hands out free tickets to the Invictus Games Opening Ceremony in Canada
Prince Harry surprised Canadian school children with free tickets to the opening ceremony of the Invictus Games in Canada.
During the second day of his Canadian visit, the Duke of Sussex went to Seaforth Armoury and met with elementary school children to launch the Invictus Games school programme.
The 40-year-old addressed the students, who had been given a bum bag with freebies earlier in the day, saying the visit had a ‘profound impact’ on him and he hopes the spirit of Invictus Games extends beyond its community ‘into schools in Canada and hopefully around the world’.
He then revealed each gift bag had two tickets to the Invictus Games opening ceremony hidden inside much to the delight of the crowd.
‘For those of you who have a little bag you should inside find a couple of tickets to the opening ceremony,’ Harry said before being interrupted by excited gasps and cheers.
‘So congratulations you’re all invited to the opening ceremony,’ he concluded.
A video of the speech was shared to X showing the kids clapping, cheering and smiling as they found the tickets in their bags.
During his visit to the historic Canadian military facility, Prince Harry participated in a series of events – including a spirited game of sitting volleyball – and appeared deep in conversation with his young fans.
Prince Harry sent smiles across school children’s faces when he gave out free tickets to the Invictus Game opening ceremony during his visit to Canada on Monday
The 40-year-old addressed the students at Seaforth Armoury and revealed the bum bags they were gifted earlier in the day contained the free tickets
A video of the speech was shared to X showing the kids clapping, cheering and smiling as they found the tickets in their bags
In his speech, the Duke of Sussex said the visit had a ‘profound impact’ on him and he hopes the spirit of Invictus Games extends beyond its community ‘into schools in Canada and hopefully around the world’
Prince Harry appeared in his element as he participated in a sitting volleyball adaptive sport lesson with students from Shaughnessy Elementary School during an event to launch the Invictus Games school programme in Vancouver
The Duke of Sussex seemed to be popular with the school children who were all eager to share a high five with the royal
Sharing a giggle! Marjorie Yuan, centre right, reacts as she talks with Prince Harry
Heartwarming photographs from the event showed Harry, who was dressed in a grey shirt, surrounded by smiling children as the group posed for photographs.
In his speech, Harry said: ‘Seeing (the students) learn about the Invictus Games has had a profound impact on me, because this is where Invictus starts to go even wider outside of the Invictus community, into schools in Canada and hopefully around the world’.
Videos from Harry’s visit to Seaforth Armoury showed him surrounded by school children, as they appeared eager to share a high-five with the Duke.
According to the Toronto Star, the Invictus Games School Programme comprises educational resources about the tournament’s history and purpose – aimed at students from kindergarten to Grade 12.
For his trip to the armoury, Harry paired his collared shirt with a pair of dark trousers and grey sneakers – perfect for a day of sporting fun.
His visit to the armoury comes one day after he joined Canadian football fans to watch the Grey Cup in Vancouver on Sunday.
Harry waved at fans and gave a cheery thumbs up to the crowd when he turned up to the match before the Toronto Argonauts took on the Winnipeg Blue Bombers.
The Prince is currently in Vancouver to promote the the Invictus Games, which take place in Vancouver and Whistler from February 8 to February 16.
Prince Harry couldn’t keep the smile from his face as he talked with students from Shaughnessy Elementary School
The Duke of Sussex put on an animated display as he played a game of sitting volleyball
Wait for it! Prince Harry keeps his eye on the ball as he participates in a sitting volleyball adaptive sport lesson
Prince Harry speaks with high school students during the Invictus Games 2025 School Programme Launch Event at Seaforth Armoury
The Duke of Sussex plays sitting volleyball with elementary school students during the Invictus Games 2025 School Programme Launch Event at Seaforth Armoury
Say cheese! The Duke poses for a photograph with students from Shaughnessy Elementary School
Prince Harry recently opened up about the ‘healing power of sport’ in an emotional video ahead of next year’s Invictus Games
But the Duchess of Sussex, who has attended the Invictus Games with Harry since 2017, did not accompany him during the promotional visit.
Meghan, 43, was instead pictured partying in Los Angeles on Thursday at the celeb-loved restaurant Gjelina, where she supported the launch of her friend and A-lister hairdresser Kadi Lee’s new Highbrow Hippie hair wellness range. The Duchess is an investor in Lee’s new collection.
Harry is patron of the Invictus Games which he established in 2014 as an international adaptive multi-sport event for wounded, injured, and sick servicemen and women.
Both serving troops and veterans are encouraged to compete as part of their recovery journeys.
Next year’s Invictus Games in Vancouver will be the first Invictus Games to include winter sports.
Harry’s visit to Canada comes just days after his wife put on a glamorous display at the Highbrow Hippie launch party in California.
The Duchess, who is also an investor in trendy oat latte brand Clevr Blends, as well as handbag label Cesta Collective, said about her latest investment: ‘I am so proud to invest in [Kadi] as a friend and as a female founder.
She told InStyle: ‘Kadi [Lee] has a mastery of hair health, and her Highbrow Hippie collection is a perfect reflection of that.’
Prince Harry appeared deep in discussion with school children, as he spoke to them about the power of sport
Prince Harry said the launch of the School Programme is the ‘where the Invictus Games starts to go even wider’
Prince Harry posed for photos with students from Shaughnessy Elementary School after taking part in a sitting volleyball adaptive sport lesson
Harry showing off his skills during a game of sitting volleyball as the duke launched the Invictus Games School Programme on Monday
Marjorie Yuan, right, holds up bunny ears behind Prince Harry, the Duke of Sussex, in a light-hearted moment during the official Invictus Games event in Vancouver
Prince Harry, the Duke of Sussex, at the Seaforth Armoury in Vancouver on Monday
Harry meets with high school students during the School Programme launch event
Prince Harry reading placards and signs made by students during the event
In a speech, Harry said that watching students learn about the Invictus Games had a ‘profound impact’ on him
The Duke of Sussex reacts while talking with students from Shaughnessy Elementary School during the Invictus Games School Programme launch
Prince Harry waves to fans ahead of the game between Toronto Argonauts and Winnipeg blue Bombers at BC Place on Sunday
The Duchess of Sussex (pictured left), 43, supported her friend and A-lister hairdresser Kadi Lee (picture centre) in Venice, California on Thursday night at a glitzy launch event. Pictured right, celeb hairstylist Serge Normant
The hairdresser – whose salon is based in the bohemian LA neighborhood of Venice – boasts several famous clients, such as Oscar-winning actress Julia Roberts, Brad Pitt and Sigourney Weaver.
Meghan on Thursday was joined by friend and makeup artist, Daniel Martin, as well as celeb hairstylist Serge Normant, who famously styled the mother-of-two’s hair for her wedding ceremony in 2018.
Normant is believed to have introduced Meghan to Lee, who has often posted on social media about coloring the Duchess’ hair.
The hairdresser and her friend Myka Harris founded their salon in 2019 following the success of their shared blog.
Their webpage – which also reveals the owners’ star signs – reads: ‘Highbrow Hippie was created to fill a void. Our goal is to expand the definition of a salon and return to its historical meaning – a gathering place to exchange thoughts and ideas.
‘Creating a sense of community, self care and a way to drop out for a few hours and focus on yourself.
‘Our intention is to refocus on self care, community and experience. What works best for our customers is always top of mind and we hope that people will leave feeling inspired, connected, grounded and maybe having learned something new – either about themselves or someone else.
‘These small steps and attention to detail equal a huge amount of luxury in today’s fast paced and overly connected world.’
Their new collection will include the Root Replenish Active Growth Serum ($88.00) and the Essential Wellbeing Complex supplement ($118.00) to start with.
