The pundit prince! Harry waves to fans as he makes surprise pitchside appearance at Canadian cup final
Prince Harry waved to fans as he made a surprise pitchside appearance at the Canadian cup final.
The Duke of Sussex had a grin ear-to-ear and gave a cheery thumbs up to the crowd when he turned up to the Grey Cup in Vancouver before the Toronto Argonauts took on the Winnipeg Blue Bombers.
The 40-year-old gave an interview to The Sports Network before being escorted away swiftly.
He is in the city to promote the the Invictus Games, which take place in Vancouver and Whistler from February 8 to February 16.
Speaking to TSN, he said he was ‘looking forward to the game getting started – let’s go!’
Prince Harry opened up in a emotional video about the ‘healing power of sport’ ahead of next year’s Invictus Games.
The Duke of Sussex released the message on the official account for the 2025 Games to be held in Vancouver, Canada, on X, formerly Twitter in September.
He told viewers: ‘Sport has the ability to heal, to change lives and to save lives.
Prince Harry waves to fans ahead of the game between Toronto Argonauts and Winnipeg blue Bombers at BC Place
The Duke of Sussex waved and gave a cheery thumbs up to the crowd when he turned up to the Grey Cup in Vancouver before the Toronto Argonauts took on the Winnipeg Blue Bombers
The 40-year-old gave an interview to The Sports Network before being escorted away swiftly
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.
Harry added in his direct address in the 117-second video: ‘For so many of these competitors, getting to the start line has been one of the hardest moments of their life.
‘But at the Games, their lives are changed. Watching these magical moments happen, and sport being the facilitator of that, is very, very special for all of us to witness.’
Earlier this summer the prince hailed the wounded, injured and sick serving UK personnel and veterans who are to take part in the 64-strong squad, made up of 60 competitors and four reserves.
They were named as Team UK for what is called the Invictus Games Vancouver Whistler scheduled to be held next February.
‘Team UK will join over 500 competitors from across 20 nations in this groundbreaking event that expands the range and profile of winter adaptive sports.
Prince Harry waves to fans prior to the start of a TV interview before the start of the 2024 Grey Cup at BC Place
Prince Harry, Amar Doman, owner of the BC Lions, and Wenshuang Nie, a competitor in the Invictus Games, pose for a photo prior to the start of the 2024 Grey Cup
Prince Harry posed for photos as he made a surprise appearance without Meghan in Vancouver
The Duke of Sussex was seen embracing Team Canada Invictus Games athlete Wenshuang Nie
Prince Harry’s face appeared on the big screen as he walked onto the pitch in Vancouver
Prince Harry, the Duke of Sussex, speaks during a pre-game television interview prior to the first half of a CFL football game
Harry looks on as Team Canada Invictus Games athlete Wenshuang Nie laughs
Prince Harry beams as he gives an interview to The Sports Network before being escorted away swiftly
Prince Harry shakes the hand of Amar Doman, owner of the BC Lions, after presenting him with an Inivictus Games jersey
Prince Harry, pictured with his wife Meghan in Whistler earlier this year, has said he is excited to see ‘passion, determination and resilience’ of the UK squad for the first Invictus Games with winter sports
The Duke of Sussex is pictured sliding down the track on a skeleton sled during an Invictus Games training camp
‘These games present an incredible opportunity for our courageous service personnel and veterans to demonstrate their skills in new challenges like alpine skiing, snowboarding and skeleton, as well as providing a truly memorable experience for their families.
‘We’re excited to see their passion, determination, and resilience on full display as they take on this new chapter.’
Next year’s Invictus Games in Vancouver will be the first Invictus Games to include winter sports.
Team UK captain, Stephen ‘Hoops’ Hooper, is returning for his second Invictus Games after competing in powerlifting and sitting volleyball at Dusseldorf in 2023.
Hooper, who served in the RAF and was diagnosed with PTSD before being medically discharged in 2021, said: ‘To be selected for Team UK again was overwhelming in itself, but to be captain as well, is a privilege.
‘I gained a lot from the whole Team UK experience last time around, I’ve gone from standing in the corner of a room and not talking to anybody, to finding my voice again.
‘And that’s what I want to do for others this time – make sure every member of Team UK comes together and takes those steps forward in their recovery.’
