Meghan Markle took center stage on the final day of the Invictus Games as she presented medals to swimming finalists – including one of the stars of the Netflix series about the participating military veterans.
While Prince Harry attended the ceremony, the couple hugged Ukrainian war hero Julia Payevska.
She was one of the most popular athletes at the games among spectators of sporting events.
The medic was supposed to take part in last year’s games in The Hague, Netherlands, but was taken prisoner by Russia.
She was released after three months and had success in the pool this week, winning a silver medal.
The Duchess of Sussex pictured at a medal ceremony at the 2023 Invictus Games in Düsseldorf, Germany. Yulia Paievska receives a medal at the Invictus Games from Prince Harry and Meghan. Harry and Meghan congratulate Yulia “Taira” Paievska at the swimming medal ceremony on day seven of the Invictus Games in Düsseldorf 2023 on September 16, 2023 Meghan (right) dazzled in a Cuyana jacket and pants, with a white tank top and Lanvin earrings. Volunteer medic Yulia Paievska, 53, was kidnapped by Russian soldiers in March as she made her way to treat injured citizens after a bombing at a theater in Mariupol
Payevska has folk hero status in Ukraine and was responsible for smuggling footage during the siege of Mariupol in 2022, much to the anger of President Putin.
After her capture, she was used in propaganda videos filmed by the Russians calling on her country to surrender.
READ MORE: Prince Harry’s call inspired 53-year-old Ukrainian medic to keep fighting in the war after being tortured by Russians during three months of captivity
She was in solitary confinement with only half a glass of water to drink per day and no treatment for her thyroid and asthma problems.
She was later transferred to a 10-by-20-foot women’s cell, where she said prisoners were routinely beaten and tortured with electricity.
Attempts at a prisoner exchange failed, but she was released after three months in captivity, with the conditions in which she was held described as inhumane.
She was unable to compete in the 2022 Invictus Games and was replaced by her daughter.
Due to injuries she sustained while serving as a paramedic, she had both hips replaced and can walk with the help of crutches.
Despite the trauma of her captivity, she said she was determined to continue helping Ukraine defend itself against ongoing Russian aggression.
Other medal recipients at the Games included father-of-two Richard, from Cardiff, who joined the Royal Air Force in 2009 at the age of 21 because he wanted to travel the world.
But in 2019, while stationed in Cyprus, a trailer used to transport aircraft engines was dragged into his back foot, which ultimately led to an amputation in 2021.
During those two years he could no longer walk and “life became very gray”.
“I felt pretty miserable because I wasn’t able to do all the things I enjoyed and because I missed so many family outings because of severe pain,” he said.
“I still face daily challenges and have had to adapt to my new life as an amputee alongside my family.”
He said returning to sport, competing in swimming and archery this year, had made his life “colorful” and allowed him to be “a father again.”
“I can’t wait to push myself and show others what I can do and create a better understanding that losing a limb is not the end of the world,” he said.
“I’m incredibly proud to represent my country again. When I left the Royal Air Force, I asked myself how and where I fit into society.”
Volunteer medic Yulia Paievska, 53, was kidnapped by Russian soldiers in March as she was on her way to treat injured people following a bomb attack at a theater in Mariupol. Pictured: The destroyed theater in Mariupol. The Duke and Duchess of Sussex will meet Ukrainian athlete Yulia Paievska on Saturday to present her with a medal. The Duke and Duchess of Sussex will present medals at a swimming medal ceremony on Saturday. Prince Harry and Meghan Markle present medals at the Invictus Games 2023 swimming medal, Merkur Spiel Arena, Düsseldorf The Duke and Duchess of Sussex during a medal ceremony at the Invictus Games in Düsseldorf on Saturday, September 16, 2023
At Saturday’s ceremony, Meghan wore a Cuyana jacket and pants, a white tank top and Lanvin earrings.
Harry was dressed casually, wearing a white shirt and gray trousers.
READ MORE: This is the moment an emotional Meghan Markle had tears in her eyes at the Invictus Games during the ceremony for the victorious Polish wheelchair volleyball team, where she and Harry presented medals
The couple hugged each medalist after presenting the military veterans with their medals.
They were only on stage for a short time before leaving the stage in Invictus Village.
Veterans Affairs Minister Johnny Mercer also attended the medal ceremony.
Harry and Meghan will both attend the closing ceremony tonight, where Rita Ora will perform six of her hits.
Meghan will take a back seat as only Harry will give a speech welcoming all participants and looking forward to the 2025 Games in Canada.
Meghan was teary-eyed on day six of the Invictus Games in Düsseldorf yesterday as she was seen in footage wiping away tears at another medal ceremony for the veterans.
Poland won over Colombia in the session volleyball final, attended today by the Duke and Duchess along with Veterans Affairs Minister Johnny Mercer and the many, many fans.
Video footage captured the moment Meghan was moved to tears as the crowd continued to applaud after she hugged and chatted with the victorious contestants, who were presented with gold medals.
Prince Harry, who founded the Games for veterans in 2014, put his arm around his wife for comfort as they put on a united front at the competition. Meanwhile, the royal family avoided any reference to his 39th birthday.
On the sixth day of the Invictus Games, Meghan Markle writes her signature on a huge memorial wall full of names. The Duchesses’ familiar “M” is located close to where someone had already scrawled the same name as the late Princess of Wales
Meghan also added her signature to a huge, name-filled tribute wall yesterday – choosing to place her signature directly above a giant “Diana” message.
The Duchesses’ well-known “M” is located very close to where a fan has already written the name of the late Princess of Wales.
In the early days of her acting career, Meghan made extra money by dabbling in calligraphy – evidenced by the neon lettering she used to write her swirling “M.”
The wall seemed to be full of colorful signatures, congratulations and encouraging letters from the participants of the competition.