Prince Harry has spoken of his ‘sacred obligation’ to do everything he can to help military veterans like himself as he was given a hero’s welcome at the opening ceremony of the Invictus Games.
As his wife Meghan looked on adoringly from the stands, he said those who had gathered in Vancouver were there in a ‘spirit of unity’ while in parts of the world there was division and difficulty.
Harry began his speech by honouring the four First Nations who are hosting the 2025 games and even attempted to speak a couple of words from the language of the Indigenous people.
To applause he said: ‘Hite-sap coo-cwee-lum ‘.
The four nations represented are Lilwat, Musqueam, Squamish and Tsleil-Waututh and their lands encompass Vancouver and the ski resort of Whistler where the adaptive winter sports will be held next week.
In his speech Harry said his ten years of military service, including tours to war torn Afghanistan, had shaped how he wanted to help veterans who had served their countries and returned wounded or suffering mental problems.
He said: ‘The Games were born more than a decade ago, from a promise I made to myself.
‘A promise to uphold my obligation—a sacred obligation after my own decade and privilege of military service —to do whatever I could to help my fellow brothers and sisters heal, and to champion everything we stand for.
‘Over the past decade I’ve lost count of the times we’ve heard you tell us that the Invictus Games saved you.
‘Respectfully, I disagree. Invictus didn’t save you. You saved yourself.’
Harry paid tribute to courage of the competitors who said they had a ‘spirit of fortitude and perseverance that can never be defeated.’
He said they were an inspiration to people.
‘At this moment, when there is no shortage of crises, no absence of uncertainty, no lack of weak moral character in the world, the values you embody—the way you carry yourselves—not only at the Invictus Games, but each and every day… your courage, your resilience, your humanity…illuminate a path forward for us all,’ he said.
‘And for that, we thank you.
‘Your leadership did not end when you stepped off the battlefield or took off the uniform. It endures.
'The example you set is a compass for the world.
'We need you. And we’ll always need you.’
During the address Harry was clapped and cheered by the 40,000 people inside the BC Place indoor stadium.
He told the spectators all those taking part were grounded in mutual respect, competing fiercely, but believing in one another.
The Duke of Sussex said the competitors ‘illuminate a path forward for all’ and called then ‘warriors all’.
