Prince Harry has been joined by other members of the royal family at the opening ceremony of his beloved Invictus Games.
On Wednesday night Prince Charles, the Duchess of Cornwall and the Duke of Cambridge joined 29-year-old Harry at East London’s Queen Elizabeth Park to mark the beginning of the tournament for brave servicemen and women injured while on duty.
The ceremony, broadcast live on BBC1, saw 400 competitors – who have come from as far afield as Afghanistan, Australia, Canada, Denmark, Estonia, France, Georgia, Germany, Italy, the Netherlands, New Zealand, the United States and Britain – parade in front of a 6,500-strong cheering crowd.
Spectators were treated to a song written by Coldplay‘s Chris Martin and performed by the Military Band anered also aerial displays by Red Arrows, Apache and Merlin helicopters, and the Red Devils parachutists.
Michelle Obama appeared via video message to welcome Prince Harry to the stage.
In her address, the US First Lady took the opportunity to call the athletes “inspiring” and paid homage to the families and carers of the soldiers by saying: “I want you to know that your courage doesn’t go unnoticed either. These heroes wouldn’t be here today without you.”
Prince Harry told the audience his initial inspiration for the games came when he saw wounded British and American troops contest the Warrior Games in Colorado last year.
“Seeing people who, only months earlier, had been told they’d never walk again, now winning medals in front of their family and friends was breath taking,” said Harry.
“I knew that anyone would be inspired by what these men and women had achieved, not just other servicemen and women, but all those adjusting to life post injury.”
Harry, who served two tours of Afghanistan, also spoke about his personal experiences of war and injury.
“Over the past eight years, I have witnessed the whole cycle of life changing injury,” Harry said.
“Evacuating soldiers and local Afghans to hospital; flying home from Afghanistan with some of those critically injured; meeting others in hospital coming to terms with life changing injuries; and finally trying to keep up with twelve wounded veterans on our way to the South Pole.
“I can only begin to imagine how challenging the journey of recovery is, but the admiration I have for these men and women, to move beyond their injuries, is limitless.”
Harry concluded by telling the athletes that the British people were grateful for their sacrifice.
“Finally, I would like to thank you for the tremendous example you set. Your stories move, inspire and humble us. You prove that anything is possible, if you have the will,” he said.
One royal family member who did not attend the event was Prince William’s pregnant wife, the Duchess of Cambridge.
Yesterday a spokesperson for the Cambridges said the Duchess would not attend the opening ceremony of the Invictus Games or the athletics events on day one due to morning sickness.
“The Duchess’s attendance on the forthcoming visit to Malta will be kept under review and a decision taken closer to the time,” a royal spokesperson said.
The Invictus Games will see athletes compete in nine sports over the next four days.
Prince Harry is joined by Prince Charles, Prince William and the Duchess of Cornwall at the opening ceremony of the Invictus Games.
Chairman of the Invictus Games Organising Committee, Sir Keith Mills, Prince William, Duke of Cambridge, Camilla, Duchess of Cornwall, Prince Charles, Prince of Wales and Prince Harry attend the opening ceremony for the Invictus Games on Wednesday night in East London.
Flag bearers in the arena during the opening ceremony for the Invictus Games.
Corporal Bugler John Sumner of the Royal Marines (L-R), Warrant Officer Gary Chilton of the Army and Corporal Matt Walker of the Royal Air Force sing at the opening ceremony.
The royals join the crowd and stand to attention.
The Kings Troop Royal Horse Artillery performing their musical ride during the proceedings.
The royals and the crowd applaud the area spectacular.
British Prime Minister David Cameron was also in attendance.
So was the Mayor of London, Boris Johnson.
The aerial show proved very loud for Camilla, the Duchess of Cornwall.
US First Lady Michelle Obama gives a speech via video link.
Prince Harry addresses the crowd and thanks the tournament’s brave competitors: “I would like to thank you for the tremendous example you set. Your stories move, inspire and humble us. You prove that anything is possible, if you have the will.”
A relieved Prince Harry looks to be happy to be returning to his seat post-speech.
Singer Laura Wright treats the crowd to a performance.
Hollywood actor and Mandela: Long Walk to Freedom star, Idris Elba also spoke to the athletes and thanked them for their sacrifice.
Hmmm… we wonder what Harry is saying here?
The royals seemed to have genuinely enjoyed themselves at the event.
And Prince Charles can barely contain his excitement.
Prince Charles shared a laugh with Crown Prince Frederik of Denmark at a reception ahead of the Invictus Games Opening Ceremony.
The Prince of Wales, Prince Harry and Prince William posed for pictures with team captains including Dave Henson of the UK, Geoff Evans of Australia, Kelly Whittle of New Zealand and James Macintyre of Canada ahead of the Invictus Games Opening Ceremony.
Prince Harry chats to Australia’s Geoff Evans and New Zealand’s Kelly Whittle ahead of the events.
A proud father: Prince Charles kisses his son Prince Harry ahead of the Opening Ceremony.
As the main sponsor of the event, Jaguar Land Rover hosted an event at their Engineering Centre that Prince Harry and other soldiers attended a day before the tournament officially kicked off.
Prince Harry signs the Invictus Games logo during the Jaguar Land Rover Driving Challenge at Jaguar Land Rover Engineering Centre.
Harry seemed quite pleased with his performance.
Prince Harry poses with soldiers at the Jaguar Land Rover driving Challenge.
Prince Harry navigates in the passenger seat of a Landrover Discovery at the Jaguar Land Rover driving Challenge.
A day before the opening ceremony Prince Harry also attended an Invictus Games reception at the American Ambassador’s Residence in London.
Prince Harry with singer Dave Grohl and drummer Taylor Hawkins of the Foo Fighters at an Invictus Games reception at the American Ambassador’s Residence.
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