Meghan Markle Shares Candid Family Story in Unplanned Speech About Prince Harry at Invictus Games Reception
Meghan Markle gave a heartfelt introduction to Prince Harry just hours after the couple touched down in Canada for the 2025 Invictus Games.
On Friday, Feb. 7, the Duchess of Sussex, 43, took the stage to give an unscripted speech in Vancouver, Canada, at a welcome reception for athlete and their friends and families. The Invictus Games has returned for the next chapter in the international sporting event that celebrates wounded, injured and sick service members and veterans. It takes place in Vancouver and Whistler from Feb. 8 until Feb. 16.
In a clip of the opening night shared on X by an attendee, Meghan gushed about her return to Canada before honoring her husband, Harry, 40.
"I was not planning on speaking tonight," Meghan said. "We just arrived a couple of hours ago and I touched Canadian soil and I went, 'feels like home.'
"We are so excited and we also recognize most of you are probably so exhausted from how much travel you've done, how much adrenaline you have pumping, how excited you are for what is going to be one of the most outstanding, memorable, unforgettable, and connected weeks probably for you and your families," she continued.
What a beautiful welcome to the competitors and their loved ones at the Family and Friends Reception at the Nation's Home for #IG25! It's tradition for all the Participating Nations to come together before the Opening Ceremony of the #InvictusGames and share a meal, laugh and… pic.twitter.com/AZi7gAlPdo
— Invictus Games Foundation 💛🖤 (@WeAreInvictus) February 8, 2025
Related: Meghan Markle to Join Prince Harry at Invictus Games in Show of Support: 'There Is No Separation'
"We are just thrilled to be here and I would be remiss if I didn't take the opportunity to introduce someone who means a lot to me and I know means quite a lot to all of you," she added, speaking of Prince Harry.
"You will see him throughout this week," Meghan said. "You will see him at the games, you will see him probably curling with you and cheering you on at wheelchair basketball."
The Duchess joked that Harry will take part in sports that she would "never do" to show his support for those taking part in the games as she built excitement for the days ahead.
She revealed that in the period leading up to the event, he had been juggling being an actively involved father to Prince Archie and Princess Lilibet, while eagerly preparing for the sports tournament.
"With families...the big rush in the morning and getting ready for school and packing the lunchboxes and making breakfast and my husband is in all of that with all of us," Meghan said. "And then he'll be on his phone, and Archie will be like, 'Papa, why are you on your phone?' and he says, 'Because it's Invictus, I'm getting ready for Invictus.'"
"It means so much to him," Meghan shared. "You are his family just as we are his family. And I hope you recognize how much of his heart he has poured into every single beat that has gotten all of you to this week, that's going to be spectacular.
"I need you to know that, how much it means to him and how much each of you mean to him. It is my entire pleasure and complete honor to introduce to the stage my husband, the father of our very sweet, excited children who are cheering you on from California, Prince Harry, founder of the Invictus Games, the Duke of Sussex."
The attendees applauded as Prince Harry entered the stage, embracing Meghan and sharing a quick kiss before approaching the podium.
Addressing the crowd, Harry said, 'What a beautiful sight.'
'Are you all tired?" he asked as the crowd shouted out. "Team Canada's not tired!'
The appearance marked their first official public appearance together in nearly six months, when the duo visited Colombia for a tour that included salsa dancing, drumming and practicing Spanish as they promoted causes such as safe online spaces, military community and female empowerment. They have since made separate outings and were spotted supported wildfire relief efforts together following the Los Angeles tragedy in January.
Meghan, 43, and Prince Harry, 40, are regulars at the Invictus Games, which Harry founded in 2014. A former British army captain, Harry was inspired to start the event after returning from Afghanistan with injured allies and witnessing the U.S. Armed Forces' Warrior Games in 2013. Meghan made her debut at the event in 2017 — which doubled as the couple's first official joint appearance after a year of dating — when the Invictus Games were held in Toronto, where she lived at the time while filming the show Suits.
Following cycles in London (2014), Orlando (2016), Toronto (2017) and Sydney (2018), the Hague (when COVID-19 pushed the event back to 2022) and Düsseldorf (2023), the upcoming cycle in Canada will be the first time the sports tournament has returned to a previous host country.
The Vancouver-Whistler Games will also mark a new chapter for the competition, as winter sports — including alpine skiing, snowboarding, curling and skeleton — will be included for the first time.
Can't get enough of PEOPLE's Royals coverage? to get the latest updates on Kate Middleton, Meghan Markle and more!
In February 2024, Meghan and Prince Harry visited British Columbia for the Invictus Games Vancouver-Whistler's One Year to Go celebrations. They checked out the Winter Training Camp, and Harry tried some of the sports out himself.
Dominic Reid, the outgoing CEO of the Invictus Games Foundation, praised Prince Harry's dedication to the event, telling PEOPLE that he has "created extraordinary opportunities" for veterans and service members, making them feel "seen, heard, and cared for."
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