Prince Harry and Meghan Markle touched down in Vancouver, Canada this week before travelling via private jet to the Whistler resort to mark one year to go until the Invictus Games 2025.
On Wednesday the Duke and Duchess spent their first day on the mountainside, arriving at 2pm to meet with journalists and Games participants.
Harry founded the Games in 2014 as an opportunity for sick and injured military veterans, who expressed just how much being part of the community means to them.
Mike Bourgeois, an Invictus Games alum, explained how it provided support for those who felt their loved ones could not understand the condition and those who were still coming to terms with their injuries.
Ivan Morera was ambushed by the Taliban in Afghanistan in 2013 and told Hello! magazine: “I believe Prince Harry understands the military personnel very well, because of his experience in Afghanistan and his willingness to put his life on the line for his country.”
He added: “I look forward to meeting the Prince and just shaking his hand and saying, ‘Thank you for your service and thank you for the opportunity’.”
The Sussexes eventually arrived at 2:30pm hand-in-hand to greet Invictus competitors, including Mike and Invictus CEO Scott Moore, with Harry deciding to have a go at the sit skiing.
Next year Invictus will have winter sports for the first time, although the Duke seemed cautious as he joked if he had to “sign a waiver” before he was strapped in.
Accompanied by a guide Harry was taken to the top of the slope and the smile did not leave his face once as he descended, with Meghan cheering and taking photos for the children.
The couple then spent time chatting with trainees in the sunshine, asking them thoughtful questions about what sports they were most enjoying and what their accommodation was like.
After 45 minutes they headed inside to meet other participants, so that the Duke could meet with those who needed a more comfortable and secure setting.
Former soldier Ivan said how meaningful it was to see the couple in Whistler for Invictus: “[The Games are] such a big thing for mental health. It allows me to just get everything out whether I’m rowing or weightlifting, or if I’m on the court, I’m able to get all that pain out and then live my life in a better way because I use it as a constructive way to build myself up.
“A lot of us withdraw – I used to withdraw a lot, and then when I was exposed to adaptive sports, I was allowed to express myself, I was allowed to cry it out and deal with my PTS, deal with my anxiety…. Now I just want to be a positive [role] model to other service members and show that whatever situation you’re in, you can get through it. There’s always somebody there that needs you in their life.”
At the end of the day the couple left in a white jeep, with Meghan waving to a crowd who had gathered to sing God Save the King in praise of the Sussexes.
