Prince Harry opened up on how much Meghan Markle’s attendance at the Invictus Games meant to him just days before she left the sporting competition.
The couple arrived in Vancouver on Friday, attending the opening ceremony together before travelling to the Whistler ski resort for the winter sports section.
Just days before her departure on Tuesday, Prince Harry, 40, had spoken about the significance of having his wife by his side at the Games.
“To have my wife here supporting me is amazing. I love that she’s by my side. It’s such an important piece to this whole adventure,” he told People magazine on Sunday.
Prince Harry opened up on how much Meghan Markle’s attendance at the Invictus Games meant to him just days before she left the sporting competition.
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A source close to the couple indicated the early departure had always been planned, noting: “This is Prince Harry’s event and she is there to support him, but this was planned.”
On Wednesday from California, the duchess shared an Instagram post featuring Canadian chocolates and gifts she had brought back from the Games for Prince Archie, five, and Princess Lilibet, three.
“A taste of Canada and The Invictus Games for our little ones! Cheering you on from home,” she wrote in the caption.
The duchess’s early departure mirrors her attendance at the 2023 Düsseldorf competition, which she also left after five days to return home.
Just days before her departure on Tuesday, Prince Harry, 40, had spoken about the significance of having his wife by his side at the Games.
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The duke continued his duties at the Games, presenting medals for the alpine skiing and biathlon events, where he still drew considerable crowds despite his wife’s absence on Tuesday.
Despite aides briefing that the duke would take Wednesday off from the Games, he surprised fans with an unannounced appearance at a medals ceremony in Whistler’s centre.
Harry has maintained an active presence throughout the event, demonstrating his continued commitment to the Games he founded for disabled military veterans.
“It’s amazing how, after 10 years, we’re still doing this,” he told People magazine.
He emphasised the growing importance of the Games, stating: “We will continue the Games for as long as it’s needed – and the need is increasing rather than reducing.”
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Looking ahead to 2027, Prince Harry expressed enthusiasm about the Games returning to the UK, where they first began.
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Looking ahead to 2027, Prince Harry expressed enthusiasm about the Games returning to the UK, where they first began.
“The fact that there will be a full cycle back to the UK is a place that I never thought we would be,” he said. “I know the UK is looking forward to having the Games back to where it started.”
The Birmingham Games will mark the first time the event has returned to British soil since its inception in 2014.
The return raises questions about potential royal attendance, as the inaugural London Games saw significant royal family participation.
At the 2014 event, King Charles and Prince William joined the Duke for the opening ceremony.