Prince Harry said not to define people by their past pain or their history.
The Duke of Sussex was visibly emotional in a heartfelt speech last night at the Invictus Games closing ceremony in Düsseldorf, Germany.
The 39-year-old took the stage wearing a black suit with a black shirt underneath.
During his crowd-pleasing five-minute monologue, Harry spoke directly to the contestants and explained how their “vulnerability” had “opened the hearts” of millions of people all over the world.
“Your mission of healing and growth has been a shining example to us all,” the Duke said.
Prince Harry said people should not be defined by their past pain or back story in an emotional farewell speech at the closing ceremony of the Invictus Games in Dusseldorf, Germany.
Meghan Markle stood alongside her husband in the crowd, wearing a vibrant green dress. She couldn’t hide her pride as she beamed at the American team as they took their seats for the closing ceremony.
“You showed us the power of not defining people based on assumptions, their history, or their past suffering, but rather based on their abilities, how they manifest, and who they are in the world. here.”
“After this week, know that you are all leading the way in defining human potential and human decency.”
Harry’s words were met with cheers and applause from the crowd in the Merkur-Spiel-Arena as he paid tribute to the competitors who had “provided the magic” during the games for wounded, injured and ill servicemen.
He also spoke about the importance of bagpipes to him, in what appears to be a nod to the way they evoke memories of his Princess Diana’s death.
In his memoir, Spare, Harry wrote how he and Prince William had snuck out of bed the day before their mother died to meet the Queen’s piper and play on his bagpipes.
He wrote: “With the bagpipes, it’s not the melody, it’s the tone. Thousands of years old, bagpipes are built to amplify what is already in the heart. If you feel like an idiot, bagpipes make you even dumber.
“If you are angry, the bagpipes make your blood boil. And if you’re grieving, even if you’re twelve years old and you don’t know you’re grieving, maybe especially if you don’t know it, the bagpipes can drive you crazy.
Prince Harry was dressed in a dark suit and a dark shirt. During his closing speech, he spoke directly to the contestants and explained how their “vulnerability” had “opened the hearts” of millions of people around the world.
She watched adoringly as the team took the stage to the sounds of Bruce Springsteen’s Born in the USA. Meghan applauded the song as it 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 to the stage to thank people for coming.
Meghan glowed green as she wore an £830 Raylene dress from Cult Gaia, laser-cut with floral designs
Harry and Meghan applauded each team. He was seated next to Elke Budenbender, the wife of German President Frank-Walter Steinmeier.
During his speech, he spoke of a meeting he had the day before with Master Corporal James Gendron, a member of the Canadian team.
“As we were chatting, I noticed some bagpipes lying on the floor in the far corner,” he said.
“Some people will know what the bagpipes mean to me, so I couldn’t help but hope that they would be played. I didn’t know that 30 minutes later it would be James who came to pick them up and ask them to play.
“Yet I had no idea what they meant to him, nor did I know what memories they had triggered for him. In Afghanistan, he performed 63 ramp ceremonies – 63 coffins for 63 souls for 63 families.
“For four years after this last ceremony, he could not touch them. This week he wasn’t even sure he could bring himself to play them, but he did. What once haunted him, dare I say it, might now be what helps heal him. Thank you, James, for your service, your courage, and for sharing your gift.
Meghan Markle stood alongside her husband in the crowd, wearing a vibrant green dress. During the ceremony, she couldn’t hide her pride as she beamed at Team USA as they took their seats for the Invictus Games closing ceremony.
She watched adoringly as the team took the stage to the sounds of Bruce Springsteen’s Born in the USA. Meghan applauded the song as it 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 to the stage to thank people for coming.
Pounding dance music greeted each of the teams as they took the stage, with the Ukrainian team receiving a standing ovation.
The Duke of Sussex delivers a speech at the closing ceremony of the 6th Invictus Games
Meghan beams and Harry pumps his fist as the Invictus Games draw to a close
Prince Harry, Duke of Sussex, Meghan, Duchess of Sussex, Rita Ora and Sam Ryder pose this evening ahead of the Invictus Games closing ceremony
Harry and Meghan applauded each team. He was seated next to Elke Budenbender, the wife of German President Frank-Walter Steinmeier.
Harry, dressed in a dark suit and dark shirt, could be seen leaning in to speak to Mr Steinmeier during the closing ceremony.
Meghan, meanwhile, glowed green, wearing an £830 Raylene dress from Cult Gaia, laser-cut with floral designs.
She also wore a pair of £525 Purist leather pumps from Aquazzura, £595 Kimai diamond earrings made with synthetic stones, a £5,000 Cartier bracelet and a pink emerald-cut diamond ring Lorraine Schwartz of £50,000.
