Ten years of Harry’s Invictus Games: From laughter with Charles and William to early outing with new girlfriend Meghan…and THAT ‘boom’ moment with the Queen – how the competition for wounded veterans has been the Duke’s greatest achievement

With Prince Harry at the moment on a lightning go to to the UK to mark 10 years of the Invictus Video games, he’ll probably be feeling satisfaction in what’s his biggest achievement.

Yesterday the Duke, who has travelled with out his spouse Meghan Markle, attended a particular service at St Paul’s Cathedral to mark the milestone. 

The occasion could have been particularly significant for Harry, who based the Invictus Video games – the worldwide sporting occasion for wounded servicemen and girls – in 2014. 

The Prince, who served two excursions of Afghanistan as a soldier, beforehand mentioned: ‘I’ve witnessed first-hand how the facility of sport can positively affect the lives of wounded, injured Servicemen and girls of their journey of restoration.’

Under, we glance again at 10 years of Invictus – from his laughter with William and Charles on the inaugural occasion in 2014 to one among his and Meghan’s first appearances in 2017…and that well-known ‘growth’ second together with his late grandmother the Queen. 

2014 – Inaugural video games in London

Harry, his brother Prince William and their father King Charles have been in nice spirits when the trio attended the inaugural video games in London in September 2014.

They have been snapped laughing as William confirmed his brother and father one thing on his smartphone. 

Meghan had but to enter the image, and Harry was newly single following his cut up 4 months earlier from Cressida Bonas. 

Over the course of the four-day occasion, 14 international locations competed in 10 disciplines and Harry was there for all of it, completely satisfied and sporting a full head of hair.

He rolled across the flooring laughing as he performed volleyball and met invited Boris Johnson, then the Mayor of London, to observe a recreation of wheelchair rugby.

My mate Michelle (half one)

In October 2015 Prince Harry was joined by then first Woman Michelle Obama at an occasion in Virginia, USA to announce that the following Invictus Video games would participate in Florida.

Nonetheless younger, free and single, Harry attended a wheelchair basketball recreation. 

Earlier than kicking the sport off, Michelle introduced to the group: ‘Okay girls, Prince Harry is right here – do not act like you do not discover!’

She added mentioned she want to ‘apologise for all of the gold medals the USA will win,’ prompting Harry to say: ‘You higher convey it USA!’

Granny will get in on the act – April 2016

Having proven what an incredible sport she was on the London 2012 Olympics, together with her James Bond sketch, Harry roped the late Queen into serving to him promote the upcoming video games in Orlando.

Exhibiting his grandmother a brochure of the video games, his telephone pinged with a video message from President Obama and First Woman Michelle.

It reminded Harry that he’d informed the USA to ‘convey it’ and to ‘watch out what you want for.’

‘Oh actually, please!’ laughed Her Majesty as Harry made a ‘drop the mic’ movement and mentioned ‘growth’ into the digital camera.

Canada beckons

Earlier than heading off to the Orlando video games, in Could 2016 Harry made a flying go to to Toronto to disclose that the Canadian metropolis can be internet hosting the 2018 video games.

He teamed up with Prime Minister Justin Trudeau to announce the official countdown, not but realizing simply how a lot time he was about to be spending in that a part of the world!

My mate Michelle (half 2)

In Could 2016, Michelle Obama joined Harry for the opening ceremony of the Video games in Orlando.

Each paid tribute to at least one one other of their speeches.

The day earlier than the opening ceremony they gave a joint tv interview, the place Michelle revealed what an in depth relationship Harry had together with his nephew Prince George, then two years outdated.

Toronto – a brand new video games, and a brand new girlfriend

The Invictus video games came about in Toronto in September 2017. 

Then First Woman Melania Trump attended the opening ceremony however – as glamorous as Melania was – there was just one lady everybody was concerned about. 

By then, Harry had been relationship his new girlfriend, American actress Meghan Markle, for 10 months.

Meghan was dwelling in Toronto – the place her present Fits was filmed – and attended the opening ceremony together with her mom Doria. 

Later, Meghan wore ripped denims and a white ‘husband’ shirt by her good friend Misha Nonoo whereas watching wheelchair tennis with Harry because the world received its first correct glimpse of a future Duchess.

Meet the long run missus

In April 2018, weeks earlier than their marriage ceremony at St George’s Chapel, Windsor, Harry took his future spouse to the College of Tub’s sports activities coaching village to fulfill the athletes hoping to characterize the UK on the Sydney Video games later that yr.

Sydney – newlywed with a child on the way in which

In October 2018, Harry and Meghan – now the Duke and Duchess of Sussex, introduced they have been anticipating their first baby.

Meghan was within the early phases of being pregnant when she and Harry undertook a tour of Australia and New Zealand and have been in a position to twin official duties with their attendance the video games.

Meghan’s style model took centre stage, as she wore a sublime navy Stella McCartney costume on the opening ceremony.

By the point the final occasion got here round, it was clear the Invictus Video games was now not going to be all about Harry. 

On the ultimate day Meghan – carrying an olive-green tuxedo costume – took to the stage of the closing ceremony and gave a speech saying how completely satisfied she was to affix the ‘Invictus household.’

A Babygro for child Archie

Simply three days after his son Archie arrived in Could 2019, Harry travelled to The Hague to announce the countdown to the 2020 video games, due to participate within the Netherlands.

Beaming with pleasure at being a brand new dad, Harry was delighted to be gifted a Babygro for his son by Princess Margriet of the Netherlands.

Assembly the athletes in 2019

In October 2019, Harry met the 65 servicemen and girls who can be representing the UK on the 2020 video games within the Hague.

Days earlier, Meghan had informed ITV’s Tom Bradby in documentary Harry & Meghan an African journey that she had been combating royal life. 

The couple then introduced that they might shortly be taking a six-week break to spend time with their new son Archie.

The Hague – and the way issues have modified!

Following two years of Covid cancellations, the Hague video games lastly came about in April 2022.

By then Harry and Meghan – now not working royals – had moved to Montecito and develop into dad and mom for the second time to child Lilibet, who was born in June 2021.

Following their bombshell Oprah interview, Harry was estranged from his household.

However household feuds apart, he loved a recreation of desk tennis doubles and Meghan thrilled her followers together with her fashionable wardrobe.

Had there been a medal for many extravagant outfits , she’d have gained arms down! 

She wore a £2,400 boucle Celine jacket for the primary day of the video games and on day three displayed a complete of £8,600 value of designer garments, together with a putting cream belted blazer by Brandon Maxwell.

Get Prepared Germany!

In September 2022 Harry and Meghan travelled to Dusseldorf to begin the one-year countdown to the following Video games.

Meghan wore a halter neck high and large leg trousers as she joined her husband, simply two days earlier than the loss of life of Her Majesty the Queen. 

Doing their factor in Dusseldorf

In September 2023 the royal couple spent 4 days in Dusseldorf for the video games. 

Harry’s biography Spare had been launched, during which he spilt extra secrets and techniques about his household, creating a good greater rift.

Their Netflix collection had additionally aired in December of 2022, displaying behind the scenes footage of the construct as much as ‘Megxit.’

Meghan had declined to attend the Coronation of King Charles, however she did mud down her designer wardrobe to affix her husband on the video games in Dusseldorf.

She flashed her legs in white shorts and seemed elegant in a Caroline Herrera denim shirt costume.

Countdown to Canada

In February of this yr, the couple flew to Vancouver to begin the countdown to the following video games in February 2025.

Harry and Meghan have been joined by Canadian crooner Michael Buble. 

They watched a recreation of wheelchair curling and Harry tried his luck on the skeleton bobsled as Meghan seemed putting in her £1,028 camel wrap jacket by Sentaler.

With Meghan’s new enterprise American Orchard Riviera attributable to be absolutely launched later this yr, let’s hope she will take a break from jam making to attend subsequent yr’s video games!