Invictus Games live updates: Prince Harry opens competition as locals make their feelings known on Meghan Markle’s arrival in Canada 

When returning from deployment in Afghanistan, Prince Harry watched the coffin of a Danish soldier be repatriated alongside three injured British soldiers. It made a real impact on him. He then visited the Warrior Games in 2013, an American competition which had wounded servicemen and women compete in adapted sport as part of their road to recovery. As a result, he was inspired to create his own international version of the tournament – the Invictus Games. The first one was held at the Copperbox Arena, in London’s Olympic Park, in 2014.

Since then, the competition has been held biennially – apart from a hiatus due to Covid in 2020 – in Florida, Sydney, the Hague and Dusseldorf. With this year’s competition in Vancouver and Whistler, the Games has now been hosted in Canada twice – the third edition of the tournament was held in Toronto in 2017.

Prince Harry showed off his dancing skills as he met members of the Canadian team taking part in the Invictus Games.

He also hugged a female competitor as he and Meghan had a breakfast meeting ahead of the opening ceremony.

The couple were warmly greeted by the Canadian team with Meghan posting video of the encounter to her Instagram story – complete with Harry seemingly attempting to do the ‘twist’.

Harry and Meghan couldn’t resist handing out hugs as they spent time hearing about how many of the competitors have overcome adversity to make the games.

Prince Harry and Meghan Markle might be getting the cold shoulder in California, but they can expect a much warmer welcome in Canada upon arriving for the Invictus Games.

Despite the freezing conditions they are likely to be welcomed by locals whose enthusiasm for the couple is in stark contrast to those across the border in the US.

The Duke and Duchess of Sussex’s popularity has taken a nosedive with the US media turning against them. Residents in the super rich enclave of Montecito where they live in a £10m mansion have also reportedly been less than enthralled by their presence.

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Prince Harry was all smiles as he arrived at his five-star hotel for the start of the Invictus Games last night.

He grinned broadly from the back seat with his wife Meghan, who was casually dressed in a blue top and brown coat, as they arrived at the ultra luxurious Fairmont Pacific Rim hotel.

The Duke and Duchess of Sussex will be enjoying ‘rock star’ status during their stay in Vancouver after booking a £5,000 a night suite that comes with its own private elevator and rooftop patio.

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Meghan Markle gave an impromptu speech at a private Invictus Games event to say how she feels ‘at home’ in Canada and praised her husband for his dedication to the sporting event for disabled military veterans.

After giving Harry a intimate kiss on stage she took the microphone to talk about the importance of the event – and how their children in California were fully aware of what the game mean to the family.

She told an audience of military veterans and their families how much the Games meant to her husband saying they were his ‘family’.

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Hello and welcome to MailOnline’s live coverage of the opening ceremony of the Invictus Games 2025, which is due to start at 9pm GMT.

Coldplay’s Chris Martin, Nelly Furtado and Katy Perry are all set to perform at the BC Place stadium in Vancouver tonight in front of a sell-out crowd of 40,000 spectators.

And the Duke and Duchess of Sussex are also due to make an appearance together at the event.

Stick with us as we bring you the latest updates.