Prince Harry has been praised for the “guidance and direction” he has given people ahead of a major milestone this week.
The Duke of Sussex, 40, has been the face of his project, The Invictus Games Foundation, since he launched it in 2014, with the aim being to offer a recovery pathway for international wounded, injured and sick servicemen and women (WIS).
As part of this, the foundation hosts The Invictus Games competition, which bring ex-servicemen and women together from across the globe to compete in adaptive sports.
This year, the tournament will be held in Vancouver and Whistler, Canada, with over 500 competitors from over 20 nations set to compete. For the first time ever, a winter sports category has also been added.
Ahead of the start of the games on February 8, the head of the Invictus Games Foundation, Dominic Reid, who is overseeing his last games, has praised Prince Harry – who himself served in the Armed Forces.
Talking about the prince, Mr Reid told People magazine: “It is very important to him as a soldier, it’s very important to him as a person.
“He has absolutely been the person giving guidance and direction. That has been a joy to be involved with.
“There’s a really strong synergy between him and the Foundation, and it’s a great thing. Most people see that and respond warmly to it.”
Mr Reid also said Harry has helped a lot of people with their own recovery journey after serving in the Armed Forces.
Reid said: “He has created extraordinary opportunities to an extraordinary number of people. They feel seen and heard and cared about.”
Prince Harry and his wife Meghan Markle, 43, are set to attend the opening ceremony of The Invictus Games Vancouver and Whistler on Saturday.
The competition will then run until February 16.
Chris Martin from Coldplay, Katy Perry and Noah Kahan are all expected to perform at the opening ceremony.