Prince Harry became emotional during his moving speech at the closing ceremony of the Invictus Games in Düsseldorf this evening.
In his five-minute speech, he recognized those who participated in the week-long games, created in 2014 for veterans to represent their county and compete.
Meghan Markle stood next to her husband in a bright green dress. During the ceremony, she couldn’t hide her pride as she beamed at Team USA as they took their place at the Invictus Games closing ceremony.
She watched in awe as the team took the stage to Bruce Springsteen’s “Born in the USA.” Meghan clapped to the song that echoed through the Merkur Spiel Arena and blew kisses to the team.
Prince Harry also joined in the applause from his front row seat – and took the stage to thank people for coming.
The Duke of Sussex delivers a speech during the closing ceremony of the 6th Invictus Games
Meghan beams and Harry clenches his fist as the Invictus Games come to an end
Prince Harry, Duke of Sussex, Meghan, Duchess of Sussex, Rita Ora and Sam Ryder pose before the Invictus Games closing ceremony this evening
Meghan and Harry enjoy the closing ceremony of the Invictus Games in Düsseldorf
The couple chats while watching the closing ceremony celebrating the 6th Invictus Games
Meghan dazzled in an £830 Cult Gaia laser-cut floral dress and £525 leather pumps from Aquazzura
Meghan waved during the ceremony, where the US team took the stage and heard Bruce Springsteen’s iconic hit “Born In The USA.”
Dominic Reid, Managing Director of the Invictus Games, Meghan Markle, Prince Harry, Elke Bundenbender and Frank-Walter Steinmeier, President of the Federal Republic of Germany, at the closing ceremony of the Invictus Games in Düsseldorf
The Duke and Duchess of Sussex attend the closing ceremony of the Invictus Game in Düsseldorf
The US team at the closing ceremony of the Invictus Games on Saturday. The team took the stage to “Born In The USA” by Bruce Springsteen – with the approval of the Duchess of Sussex
Prince Harry took the stage to thank the athletes who took part in the games. He opened the game with the words “I am a Düsseldorfer”.
Thumping dance music greeted each team as they took the stage, and the Ukrainian team received a standing ovation.
Harry and Meghan stood and clapped for each of the teams. He sat next to Elke Budenbender, the wife of German President Frank-Walter Steinmeier.
Harry, dressed in a dark suit and shirt, was seen leaning in to speak to Mr Steinmeier during the closing ceremony.
Meghan, meanwhile, resplendent in green, wearing an £830 Raylene dress from Cult Gaia that was laser-cut with floral patterns.
She also wore a pair of Purist leather pumps from Aquazzura for £525, Kimai lab-grown diamond earrings for £595, a Cartier bracelet for £5,000 and a small emerald-cut diamond ring by Lorraine Schwartz for £50,000.
Eurovision runner-up Sam Ryder sang two songs before the closing speeches began and it was revealed that 140,000 people had attended the games.
The Space Man singer was seen holding Meghan’s hand during his performance.
Federal President Frank-Walter Steinmeier spoke of the “feeling of community” at the games.
He said competitors’ refusal to give up was an example for everyone and people who served their country should not be forgotten.
He referred to the invasion of Ukraine and told the team that they had the support of everyone who called it an “illegal war.”
The pledge of support was met with a two-minute standing ovation. He also thanked the Duke of Sussex for launching the games nine years ago, before the prince took the stage and gave his own closing remarks.
During the closing ceremony of the Invictus Games, the Duke of Sussex was seen leaning in to speak to German President Frank-Walter Steinmeier
The Duchess of Sussex’s dress was laser-cut with floral patterns in a ‘Seamoss’ hue
The Duke and Duchess of Sussex clapped during the Invictus closing ceremony at the Merkur Spiel Arena
Meghan greets an Invictus Games participant in a sparkly green dress
The Duchess of Sussex walks in to hug an excited fan at the closing ceremony
Meghan clapped for the Invictus athletes as the closing ceremony continued in Germany
Harry and Meghan laughed and smiled as the athletes took the stage
Harry hugged Anna-Sofia Puzanova, an Invictus athlete whose medic mother was captured by Russian forces in Ukraine
Harry began his speech by thanking the audience in German.
He opened the games with the declaration “I am a Düsseldorfer”. (I am from Düsseldorf).
While he was talking about the Canadian bagpiper, the camera shows the former soldier crying.
He received a standing ovation and Harry thanked him again for his service.
He then hugged Anna-Sofia Puzanova, daughter of captured medic Yulia Paievska, who won bronze for Ukraine at the Invictus Games.
The five minutes were punctuated with applause, and Meghan kissed Harry tenderly on the shoulder as he sat down after delivering his emotionally charged speech.
Harry and Meghan left the arena before Rita Ora’s final song to avoid running into the crowd. On Sunday they fly back to America, where they are reunited with the children Archie and Lillibet.
Earlier in the day, Meghan was seen hugging an athlete draped in the American flag as she took center stage on the final day of the Invictus Games today.
The 42-year-old Duchess of Sussex presented Danielle Pothoof with the gold medal at the swimming medal ceremony on the seventh day of the sporting event in Düsseldorf.
Wearing £260 trousers and a £580 trench coat from Cuyana, as well as minimalist Aquazurra pumps worth £545, the king embraced the star-spangled athlete and couldn’t help but grin.
Danielle, who competes in both swimming and sitting volleyball at the Games, served in the U.S. Marine Corps as a staff sergeant.
While deployed to Afghanistan in 2011, Danielle’s unit ran over an IED, leaving her critically injured and ultimately requiring a leg amputation.
Rita Ora performs during the closing ceremony of the Invictus Games in Düsseldorf
The British star took to the stage to celebrate the 6th Invictus Games
Rita Ora performs during the Invictus Games closing ceremony
The couple enjoyed the closing ceremony together before rushing out early to avoid the crowds
During the closing ceremony, the Parade of Nations takes place, with the Ukrainian flag taking center stage
Sam Ryder sang two songs during the Invictus Games closing ceremony
The British Eurovision winner smiled and held Meghan’s hand during his performance
Space Man singer Sam Ryder performs during the Invictus Games closing ceremony
The Ukrainian team took the stage for the closing ceremony to a standing ovation, holding Ukrainian flags and applauding
The Merkur Spiel-Arena was filled with spectators on Saturday for the closing ceremony of the Invictus Games in Düsseldorf
The Duchess also had her name on a huge “homage wall” decorated with messages from visitors to the Games – she chose to sign her trademark “M”, in reference to a tribute to Harry’s mother, Diana, Princess of Wales .
Yesterday, Prince Harry was presented with a special birthday greeting – spectators at the Invictus Games sang him “Happy Birthday” in English and German.
Harry clapped along and smiled alongside the Duchess – before shouting a “thank you” to viewers.
Harry was later welcomed by the mayor of Düsseldorf, Dr. Stephen Keller, presented with a birthday cake. The cake was decorated in the colors of the Invictus Games and had the words “Happy Birthday Prince Harry, Duke of Sussex” written on it.
Last night the couple celebrated with bratwurst, wiener schnitzel and beer at a traditional German bar.
The Duke and Duchess of Sussex enjoyed an evening with friends in Düsseldorf as the Invictus Games drew to a close.
Bar staff said the royals were “very nice” and left a “big tip” as they enjoyed plates full of red cabbage and mashed potatoes. While Harry celebrated with six half pints, his wife limited himself to one small drink.
Prince Harry celebrated his 39th birthday drinking beer with Veterans Affairs Minister Johnny Mercer (right)
Meghan enjoyed a few sips of Harry’s birthday beer as they watched the volleyball final yesterday
When Meghan was pregnant with Archie, Harry was famously teetotal and gave up caffeine, swapping beer, tea and coffee for green juices. In 2018, he raised a glass of water in solidarity with his wife while everyone else drank champagne. He also stopped smoking.
Waiters described having “goosebumps” as the couple arrived with close friends and helpers last night. Diners at the restaurant and bar were asked not to take photos but said they saw him laughing and joking as the food came to his table. He also looked thrilled when a birthday cake appeared at the end of the “family meal.”
He and Meghan happily posed for photos with owner Thea Ungermann and head waiter Frank Wackers, who has worked at the restaurant for 38 years and was happy to share pictures with Web. Thea said: “He was a lovely man and had a very fun time.” “Meghan was lovely.”
She added: “The couple were very relaxed, they drank our beer, Schumacher Alt – it’s the same beer they serve at the Invictus Games.” Harry and Meghan sat next to each other during the meal. I had goosebumps when they walked into the restaurant, I had seen his speech on stage at the Invictus Games and couldn’t believe he was in my restaurant. Prince Harry hugged me.