Prince Harry was visibly emotional as he opened the Invictus Games in Canada – and there was a touching moment between him and his wife Meghan Markle before he took to the stage
Prince Harry was spotted getting emotional at the opening of the Invictus Games in Vancouver, BC Place Stadium, as per professional lip-reader Jeremy Freeman, who revealed a heartwarming exchange between the Duke and his wife, Meghan Markle. The Prince addressed the crowd of 40,000, saying: “We gather here in Vancouver in a spirit of unity.”
He continued to affirm: “Beyond any differences, here at the Invictus Games we are grounded in mutual respect, competing fiercely, but believing in one another.”
Emphasising the athletes’ resilience, Prince Harry declared: “Over the past decade I’ve lost count of the times we’ve heard you tell us that the Invictus Games saved you. Respectfully, I disagree. Invictus didn’t save you. You saved yourself.”

The Duchess looked on proudly as her husband gave his speech (
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(Image: Getty))
Amidst his heartfelt declarations, Harry and Meghan had an intimate moment, reports the Express. Before Harry left for the podium, Freeman reported that he assured Meghan: “OK, I’ll be back later,” to which a loving Meghan responded: “You’re amazing.”
Affectionately close, the Duchess, 43, embraced her husband warmly and shared a passionate kiss despite being amidst the buzzing event. Adding to the string of events unfolding, Harry was also said to have discreetly criticised US President Donald Trump, who previously made cutting remarks about Meghan.
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Donald Trump has dismissed the idea of deporting Prince Harry from the US, despite the royal’s admission of past drug use in his memoir. Trump suggested that Harry already has “enough problems with his wife” Meghan Markle, whom the president branded as “terrible.”
Harry and Meghan looked emotional at the Opening Ceremony (
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(Image: Getty))
This statement came shortly after the Duke of Sussex criticised what he perceives as “weak moral character in the world” during his speech at the Invictus Games.
Prince Harry addressed the audience, saying: “At this moment, when there is no shortage of crises, no absence of uncertainty, no lack of weak moral character in the world, the values you embody, the way you carry yourselves – not only at the Invictus Games, but each and every day – your courage, your resilience, your humanity, illuminate a path forward for us all.”
The opening night of the Invictus Games was a hit, featuring performances by Canadian singer-songwriter Nelly Furtado, who belted out some of her most popular songs to an ecstatic crowd. Chris Martin, the lead vocalist of Coldplay, followed with a rendition of the Invictus Games anthem, which he originally composed in 2014.
Coldplay’s Chris Martin performed at the opening ceremony (
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(Image: Invictus Games Foundation via Getty))
Martin also paid homage to Prince Harry and was later seen sharing a laugh with him and Meghan. The evening included a poignant “shared moment of healing” led by Master Corporal James Gendron on his bagpipes.
Gendron, who has dealt with psychological injuries sustained in Afghanistan after participating in 63 funeral-style ceremonies for deceased soldiers, was joined by additional pipers and drummers.
Together, they produced an overwhelming sound that filled the arena.