Prince Harry and Meghan thanked First Nations youth ambassadors for “welcoming the Invictus Games to their sacred land” at a reception in Canada.
The Duke and Duchess of Sussex visited the Squamish Lil'wat Cultural Center in Whistler as part of their two-day trip from California to highlight next year's event, which will feature winter sports for the first time.
The pair were joined by youth ambassadors Chief Nelson and Wilson Williams before attending a reception where artists who designed the Invictus Games logo shared their artwork.
The collaboration marks the first time that all four of Canada's First Nations, one of the country's three recognized indigenous groups, have worked together on the same artwork.
A statement on the couple's new website Sussex.com said: “The evening and presentation were extremely meaningful.” IG2025 and the couple couldn't be prouder to share the artist's work with the world.
“The couple recognizes the importance of First Nations communities welcoming the Invictus Games to their sacred lands and is grateful for the warmth and hospitality.”
Prince Harry and Meghan Markle met with First Nations youth ambassadors today as they toured the Squamish Lil'wat Cultural Center in Whistler
The exterior of the Squamish Lil'wat Cultural Center in Whistler, where Harry and Meghan attended a reception event today
Harry and Meghan were spotted holding hands and smiling on Valentine's Day at a ski resort in Whistler, Canada today
Meghan laughs as she appears to collect content on her phone, filming or photographing Harry attempting to ski
Meghan Markle couldn't contain her laughter as she took a photo of Prince Harry skiing
The Duchess of Sussex appeared to have borrowed a phone from a friend to take the snapshot photo
The Duchess of Sussex obviously had a lot of fun
Meghan looked glamorous in skinny jeans and a sweater with a beige quilted coat, while Harry wore casual jeans and a black anorak from Eddie Bauer
Meghan hugs one of the participants at the event in Whistler, Canada
Meghan shakes hands with one of the ski instructors on the mountain
Prince Harry and Meghan Markle speak to staff at the Whistler ski resort
Harry points to one of the sit-in skis as he takes part in a training session with Meghan
Meghan wore skinny jeans and a sweater as well as a beige quilted coat
Meghan took a few photos of Harry as he tried out a sit-ski
Prince Harry, Duke of Sussex and Meghan, Duchess of Sussex attend the Invictus Games' One Year To Go event
Prince Harry is shown how to use the sit-ski as Meghan looks on with a smile on her face
Meghan, 42, was clearly having fun, even though the temperatures were around freezing point
The couple arrived in Canada on Tuesday and are expected to stay until Friday before flying back to their home in California
Prince Harry appeared ready for winter sports in his Oakley ski helmet
Prince Harry, Duke of Sussex, and his wife Meghan, Duchess of Sussex, put on their winter gear for the trip to the Whistler ski resort
Prince Harry and Meghan chat with a ski resort employee during their visit
Earlier today, Harry and Meghan were pictured smiling and holding hands as they arrived at a picturesque ski resort in Whistler, watched by what appeared to be their own film crew.
The former Suits star also appeared to use her phone to film Harry trying out a ski chair for disabled athletes and speaking to coaches and participants training for Invictus 2025.
Harry tried sit-skiing and joked before setting off: “Do I have to sign a waiver?”
A group then serenaded the couple with the song “God Save The King.” Meghan waved as she got into a jeep while Harry may have been talking to them. One skier said: “He was very nice.”
They seemed unaffected at all by the row over their Sussex.com website – and by criticism over their use of the royal links, despite their dispute with the Windsors and an agreement with the Queen not to use their HRH titles for business purposes or Trade to use from their royal connections.
The Whistler trip is also their first public appearance as a couple since King Charles' cancer diagnosis. Four-year-old Archie and two-year-old Lilibet appear to have stayed at home in Montecito.
Meghan was all smiles and glamor in skinny jeans and a sweater, paired with a beige quilted coat. She showed off her £140,000 engagement ring.
Meghan led the way as she and Harry were filmed arriving at the promotional event
A film crew was seen joining the Sussexes as they arrived for a day of skiing, with the Duchess rubbing the cameraman's arm as she passed
The Duchess of Sussex waves to the crowd
Meghan filmed or took photos, observed by an Invictus officer
The ski area will be used as a training camp for the Invictus Games next year
Harry and Meghan talk to one of the seated skiers
Meghan was seen sporting a huge grin as she joined her husband Harry at the Whistler ski resort
Meghan wore a white fleece over a cream jacket
Meghan waves to the crowd as she enters the mountain with Harry
The couple smiled during their Valentine's Day visit
Prince Harry, Duke of Sussex and Meghan Markle, Duchess of Sussex attend the One Year to Go event ahead of the Invictus Games Vancouver Whistler 2025 at Mountain Square in Whistler
Harry and Meghan were followed by film crews as they hit the slopes
The couple walked up the mountain hand in hand
The couple smiled as they strolled through the snow in Canada yesterday
Meghan and Harry's appearance in Whistler comes amid controversy over the Sussexes' redesigned website
Meghan's updated bio on the website emphasized her credentials as a philanthropist, but mentioned her acting past only once and nothing about the royal family.
On Wednesday, Meghan released a statement defending the graphic design company that created the couple's new website
On the website, Harry presents his 358-word biography, in which he highlights his environmental credentials – despite his penchant for using private jets
Critics said the site was an attempt to monetize the couple's royal connections
Harry joked with ski staff as he took part in a training session
Harry wore tortoiseshell sunglasses during his visit to the training camp
Meghan watched as Harry was secured in a sit-ski
Meghan spoke to one of the skiers taking part in the training
Harry prepares to take part in sit-in ski training
The couple posed for a photo with one of the skiers
Harry was seen touching the helmet of a skier taking part in a training session
Meghan wore her engagement ring
The Duchess smiled as she spoke to a skier taking part in the training camp
Meghan watched as Harry tried a sit-in ski
The upcoming Games in Whistler will be the first time Invictus has presented winter sports
Harry smiled as he was helped with sit-skiing
Harry puts his arm around Meghan's shoulder as they are taken on a tour of the ski resort
Prince Harry and Meghan speak to a snow school teacher
Arm in arm, the Sussexes were taken to the slopes
The couple spoke to skiers on the slopes during their visit
The duchess has not been seen in public since May 2023 with the glittering band, which consists of a giant Botswana diamond and two from Princess Diana's collection.
Harry wore casual jeans and a black Eddie Bauer anorak as he arrived at a training session with athletes hoping to take part in the 2025 Games.
The pair were seen bending down to talk to the athletes taking part in the games, while Harry tried out one of the competitors' sit skis while a camera crew followed closely behind him. Meghan was seen smiling with officers as she used her phone to collect content.
Shortly after 2:30 p.m. local time, Harry and Meghan exited the gondola at Blackcomb Mountain in Whistler and were introduced to three groups of adaptive skiers: an alpine sit-down skier, a stand-up skier and a group of visually impaired athletes.
Their trip to Canada comes as the couple is embroiled in a series of controversies – one over their new website Sussex.com and another over Harry's flying visit to London last week to visit King Charles following his cancer diagnosis.
Alex Cairns, a sit-skier from Canada, was the first to meet the Sussexes and demonstrate the sport to them – arriving at the bottom of the slopes to cheers from Harry.
The Whistler Games will be the first time Invictus has presented winter sports.
The Duchess of Sussex looked delighted as she watched Harry speak to an instructor in Whistler to celebrate one year until the first Invictus Winter Games
Meghan watched Harry and others skiing
Meghan, Duchess of Sussex, attends the Invictus Games' One Year To Go event
Harry tried out one of the participants' sit-skis and seemed to enjoy being pushed down the slope by his instructor
The pair were seen bending over to speak to athletes taking part in the games
Harry and Meghan were seen speaking to a group of visually impaired athletes
Prince Harry and Meghan leave the training center after touring the facility
Prince Harry and Meghan Markle leave Whistler Mountain
Meghan left the facility behind Harry with a smile on her face
Harry waved to fans as he left the ski resort with Meghan
Meghan also had a big smile on her face as she left the Whistler ski resort
The couple arrived in Canada on Tuesday and were photographed by as they landed in Vancouver just after noon Pacific time after a two-hour flight from Santa Barbara – the closest airport to their home in Montecito.
Her arrival came on the same day Meghan announced she had signed a new podcast deal with Lemonada Media after she and Harry parted ways with Spotify.
A convoy of cars picked up the famous duo and took them to Whistler, where they will be on Wednesday and Thursday before returning to Vancouver on Friday for an event at the City of Glass.
The couple are then expected to return to California on Friday afternoon to be reunited with their children Archie, five, and Lilibet, two.
The Duke and the Dutchwoman are currently embroiled in an ongoing dispute over their rebranded “royal” website Sussex.com – complete with Meghan's coat of arms – which critics say represents a breach of their promise to the late queen as she acrimoniously leaves the royal front withdrawn tasks.
Sources say the couple did not consult palace officials about the use of their Sussex titles.
A source close to the couple defended the use of their royal titles, saying: “Prince Harry and Meghan are the Duke and Duchess of Sussex.” That is a fact. It is her last name and family name.'