Prince Harry stole a quick kiss from his wife, Nigerian Princess Meghan Markle, before taking the stage.
Prince Harry made a poignant speech at the opening ceremony, before a crowd of 40,000 at Vancouver’s BC Place Stadium; his words cutting through the crisp February air like a beacon. The opening ceremony of the 2025 Invictus Games was not just an event; it was a reckoning, a reminder of the resilience that lives in the human spirit. This year, the Games—founded by Harry in 2014—marked a milestone: their first foray into winter adaptive sports, hosted on the ancestral lands of Canada’s First Nations.
The Duke of Sussex began with a gesture of respect that resonated deeply. “I would like to begin by honoring the First Nations who are hosting this year’s Games: Líl̓wat, Musqueam, Squamish, and Tsleil-Waututh,” he said, grounding his speech in acknowledgment and gratitude. It was a moment that underscored the Games’ commitment not only to healing but also to reconciliation—a theme woven into every aspect of this year’s event.
The Invictus Games have always been about more than competition. They are about courage—the kind that doesn’t always roar but sometimes whispers through pain and perseverance. Harry’s voice carried that message with conviction: “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 illuminate a path forward for us all.” His words were not just for the athletes but for anyone searching for hope in fractured times.
The ceremony itself was a spectacle of unity and celebration. Performances by artists like Katy Perry and Chris Martin lit up the night, but it was the athletes who truly shone. Over 550 competitors from 23 nations gathered to compete in events ranging from wheelchair basketball to Nordic skiing—a testament to human adaptability and strength. For many, these Games are more than a stage; they are a lifeline.
Harry didn’t shy away from vulnerability as he addressed the competitors directly. “We need you. And we’ll always need you,” he said, his voice steady but charged with emotion. He spoke of his own military service and the promise he made to himself to champion his “brothers and sisters” in their healing journey.
But then came a striking moment of humility: “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.”
This year’s Games also broke new ground with winter sports such as alpine skiing and wheelchair curling—a nod to their evolution and inclusivity. The choice of Vancouver and Whistler as host cities was no accident; these were venues steeped in Olympic history and Indigenous heritage, offering a poignant backdrop for stories of triumph against adversity.
As Harry stepped away from the podium, his words lingered like an echo: a call to action, a plea for courage in uncertain times. The Invictus Games are not just about medals or records—they are about reclaiming identity, rewriting narratives, and reminding us all what it means to be unbreakable.
In this space carved out for healing and hope, the athletes are not just competitors; they are torchbearers lighting the way for a world that desperately needs their strength. And as Vancouver’s lights shimmered against the night sky, one thing was clear: their stories were just beginning.
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