The Duke of Sussex attended the closing ceremony of the Invictus Games in Canada, where the Invictus Games flag was handed over to the 2027 host Birmingham
The Duke of Sussex was in the thick of the action at the Invictus Games in Canada, showing his support for Team UK athletes during the closing ceremony. As the founding patron of the games, Prince Harry has been a constant presence throughout the eventful week, even attending an indoor rowing competition alongside Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau on Sunday.
Earlier in the week, Harry was spotted cheering on friends and family of Team UK at a thrilling wheelchair rugby match that saw Britain clinch a silver medal. The closing ceremony wasn’t just a celebration but also marked the official transition to Birmingham as the host city for the 2027 Invictus Games.
Since its inception in 2014, Harry has played a pivotal role in the Invictus Games, which provides a platform for injured, sick, and wounded service personnel to compete in sports. His dedication didn’t go unnoticed, as Prime Minister Trudeau took a moment during the ceremony to express his gratitude: “To the Duke of Sussex, Prince Harry, without whom these Invictus Games would never have happened,” he declared to the enthusiastic audience.
Canada’ Prime Minister Justin Trudeau heaped praise on the Duke of Sussex for his pivotal role in the Invictus Games (
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He added, “As someone you roped in early in my time as Prime Minister, I can testify to the energy, the dedication, the commitment this man has to you and to this ideal.”
Team UK captains Stephen “Hoops” Hooper, Neil Thomas, and Gemma Barnes had the honour of receiving the official flag, symbolising the handover from Whistler and Vancouver to Birmingham.
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Among the memorable moments of the games was a heart-warming proposal by British army veteran James Cairns to his girlfriend Hannah Wild during the first day of the wheelchair basketball.
Prince Harry celebrated Team UK’s results (
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The Duke of Sussex made a speech at the Closing Ceremony of the Invictus Games (
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Over 60 UK veterans flocked to take part in the inaugural winter games in Whistler and Vancouver. RAF veteran Mr Hooper recounted an “awesome” week, telling reporters, “From proposals to PBs, we’ve enjoyed stunning scenery and made memories to last a lifetime.”
He added, “We arrived in Canada full of anticipation – we leave stronger, braver, more resilient and closer than ever to our recovery. We are proud to bring Games home to Birmingham in ‘27.”
Al Carns, Minister for Veterans and People, is already anticipating the next chapter. “Many of us, especially those who served in Iraq and Afghanistan, have come back to Birmingham for treatment at the Queen Elizabeth Hospital, playing a key role in their recovery,” he shared.
Prince Harry has spent more than a decade promoting the Invictus Games into a world event (
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© 2025 PA Media, All Rights Reserved)Carns highlighted the special significance of the forthcoming games: “For them, to return to Birmingham, and to take part in the next games, will complete their journey to recovery.
“The Invictus Games is not just about courage, it’s about the continuation of service for individuals who are given the opportunity to once again serve and represent a country”.
