Meghan, Duchess of Sussex 'so proud' of husband Prince Harry
Meghan, Duchess of Sussex, has gushed she is "so proud" of Prince Harry as the Invictus Games drew to a close.
Meghan, Duchess of Sussex, is "so proud" of her husband Prince Harry.
The former actress had returned home to California before the Invictus Games Closing Ceremony on Sunday (16.02.25) but she shared footage of the 40-year-old royal receiving a standing ovation during a speech inside Vancouver’s Rogers Arena by Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and paid tribute to her spouse.
Meghan, 43, wrote over the clip of Harry taking his seat on her Instagram Story: "“So proud of you! [applause emoji] (sic)"
The closing ceremony included performances from Jelly Roll, The War and Treaty, and Barenaked Ladies, and Harry himself gave an emotional speech.
He said: "O Canada. You’ve only gone and done it again. Did we all have fun?"
He thanked organisers, officials, authorities, "all Canadians" and the hosts, before paying tribute to the competitors' loved ones and the athletes themselves.
He said: "To our Invictus wives, husbands, girlfriends, boyfriends, kids, grandparents and friends, if you can, please stand and be recognised — we salute you.
"To our comrades, friends or loved ones who we lost to battle or to suicide, tonight we honour you too.
"To those of you whose journey to these Games has been difficult and uncertain, who questioned whether you would even make it here today, thank you for showing us what is possible.
"In the pursuit of saving yourselves, you have also saved all of us. Those who love you and those who don’t even know you."
Harry told how he had spent the last 11 days meeting families "from different beliefs, backgrounds and abilities" and that he could see "how you've changed them."
He added: "Being a hero, being a role model, it’s not just about resilience, skill or power. It’s about integrity. Compassion. Courage," he said. "You give us hope through your healing, honesty and humanity, and of course through your humour! You know exactly what I'm talking about. It's an in-house joke.
"Our entire Invictus community, whether here tonight or watching from home, is making the world a better place, and you’re doing it by being your awesome selves."
The Duke of Sussex noted that the Invictus community had come together again, more than a decade after he founded the event for sick, wounded and injured military personnel and veterans, "in a world still full of strife and trauma."
He added: "And as much as we wish these Games weren’t necessary, I understand why they are still needed, perhaps more than ever.
"It’s because of the strength you give to the world. The power of your example. Your duty to one another. You may swear allegiance to different flags, but you stand united in your decency, your compassion, and your spirit of service.
"Now I can’t stand before you and promise there won’t be challenging times ahead. But I promise you, you’re better equipped now than you were before. You’ve reclaimed what was lost. Restored what was broken. Achieved the impossible.
"Remember what makes you tick. Hold onto it. Rely on it. Use it for yourself and those around you, for service to one another will save us."
And Harry is now looking ahead to the 2027 Games, which will return to the UK and take place in Birmingham.
He closed his speech by saying: "While I never expected that we would still be here in 2025, from one soldier to another, I also promise you this — So long as our brothers and sisters are striving to heal and grow, the Games will go on.
"So long as there are those around the world who view you with sympathy, rather than admiration and respect, the Games will go on.
"And so long as the challenges around us demand it and require it… the Games will go on.
"Bring on Invictus Games. Birmingham 2027. You have permission to party."
