Awkward moment Prince Harry tells old Invictus Games ‘colleague’ he can’t sign a copy of his bombshell memoir Spare in front of cameras at Whistler
Prince Harry appeared sheepish yesterday, as he told an ‘old colleague’ at the Invictus Games that he couldn’t sign his copy of Spare in front of the cameras.
The Duke of Sussex, 40, appeared slightly uncomfortable as he spotted Igor Krystak – a Sports Manager for Team Ukraine at last year’s games – holding out a copy of his bombshell memoir after enjoying some skiing with his teammates.
Igor captured the encounter at Whistler, Canada on his Instagram Stories, explaining in the caption that the royal had agreed to sign a book for a donations raffle.
It is not clear what this would be for, but given Igor’s previous work in fundraising for Ukrainians in occupied territories – he manages a ‘mobile washing stations’ initiative to help people stay clean – it’s likely to be centred around supporting the war-torn nation.
However when Harry spotted the book cover, he said: ‘Not here.’
In reassurance, he walked over to Igor and said: ‘Find me later.’
‘Ok, I’ll find you later,’ agreed.
The Duke added: ‘I’m here all week.’
Prince Harry appeared sheepish yesterday, as he told an ‘old colleague’ at the Invictus Games that he couldn’t sign his copy of Spare in front of the cameras
The Duke of Sussex , 40, appeared slightly uncomfortable as he spotted Igor Krystak – a Sports Manager for Team Ukraine at last year’s games – holding out a copy of his bombshell memoir after enjoying some skiing with his teammates.
In writing, Igor – who tagged the Sussexes’ Instagram account – also said in the video: ‘The book will be signed but not under the cameras.’
He continued: ‘Met an old colleague, agreed to sign a book for the raffle for donations. Wait for the announcements, prepare rough money.’
It’s not the first time Igor has spoken with the Duke – a photo from the games held in 2023 shows him and Harry posing for a photo together.
‘The week of September 9th-16th was spent in mode, may God give strength, happiness and health to all of us,’ he penned in the post.
‘The week flew by like a moment, a moment that will be remembered for a lifetime.
‘Incredible emotions, people and events were carried on every God’s day, there is a lot to tell, but let it stay in my head with me forever…’
Harry is due to attend three events and brave freezing temperatures of up to -11. Elsewhere yesterday, the Duke was mobbed by a crowd of fans when he arrived for an Invictus Games ceremony on Whistler mountain
This year’s games – which are the first to incorporate winter sports – are currently being held in Vancouver and Whistler, and are due to finish on February 16
Meghan had joined friends and family of Invictus Games 2025 competitors in Whistler to go ‘tubing’
According to his LinkedIn, as well as managing the washing stations charity project, Igor was a volunteer at the SaveUkraineNow Coordination Center for Precarpathian Military Assistance.
It comes as, on Tuesday, Harry’s wife Meghan Markle showed she was a good sport as she took the plunge and raced down a ski slope in a rubber tube.
Despite Harry encouraging her that she would be ‘absolutely fine’, the Duchess of Sussex, 43, squealed: ‘No, no I really don’t want to do this,’ before speeding across the snow.
Meghan had joined friends and family of Invictus Games 2025 competitors in Whistler to go ‘tubing’. She then posted a video of her trying the sport to her Instagram Stories.
In the clip, an instructor tells the seemingly nervous mother-of-two to lean back into the tube before she lets out a scream and slips down the slope.
A laughing Harry is thought to then shout ‘feet up, feet up, feet up’, as he watches his wife hurtle towards the bottom of the snowy hill.
In her last appearance before leaving the event in Canada to fly home to California, Meghan is also filmed walking hand-in-hand with her husband to the start of the tubing run.
It comes after it was revealed that the Duchess won’t be joining Harry at the rest of the games – instead travelling back to Montecito to see her children Prince Archie, five, and Princess Lilibet, three.
Aides said she had always planned to leave the Duke of Sussex to continue solo at the competition, which he founded in 2014.
In her last appearance at the games, the Duchess attended morning sporting events being held in the upmarket ski resort of Whistler before being driven the 110 miles back to Vancouver and flying back to her home in Montecito, California.
Harry, meanwhile, is due to attend three events and brave freezing temperatures of up to -11.
Elsewhere yesterday, the Duke was mobbed by a crowd of fans when he arrived for an Invictus Games ceremony on Whistler mountain.
Fans jostled to get close to Harry and take a photo as he made his way up the slopes in bright sunshine.
His bodyguard Chris Sanchez, a former US Presidential Secret Service agent, struggled to help the Duke through the crowds.
This year’s games – which are the first to incorporate winter sports – are currently being held in Vancouver and Whistler, and are due to finish on February 16.
