Meghan Markle Shares Candid Family Story in Unplanned Speech About Prince Harry at Invictus Games Reception

Mar. 15, 2025

“I was not planning on speaking tonight,” Meghan remarked, wearing theA.L.C. “Willow” sleeveless midi dressin chocolate plum. “We just arrived a couple of hours ago, and I touched Canadian soil, and I went, ‘Oh, feels like home.’

“We are so excited and we also recognize most of you are probably so exhausted from how much travel you’ve done, how much adrenaline you have pumping, how excited you are for what is going to be one of the most outstanding, memorable, unforgettable and connected weeks probably for you and for your families,” she continued.

“We are just thrilled to be here and I would be remiss if I didn’t take the opportunity to introduce someone who means a lot to me and I know means quite a lot to all of you,” she added, speaking of Prince Harry.

“You will see him throughout this week,” Meghan said. “You will see him at the games, you will see him probably curling with you and cheering you on at wheelchair basketball.”

The Duchess joked that Harry would take part in sports like skeleton sledding — “the thing I would never do” — to show his support for the athletes, all while building excitement for the days ahead.

She revealed that in the period leading up to the event, he had been juggling being an actively involved father toPrince Archie and Princess Lilibet, while eagerly preparing for the sports tournament.

Karwai Tang/WireImage

“With families…the big rush in the morning and getting ready for school and packing the lunchboxes and making breakfast and my husband is in all of that with all of us,” Meghan said. “And then he’ll be on his phone, and Archie will say, ‘Papa, why are you on your phone?’ and he’s like, ‘Because it’s Invictus, I’m getting ready for Invictus.'”

“It means so much to him,” Meghan shared. “You are his family, just as we are his family. And I hope you recognize how much of his heart he has poured into every single beat that has gotten all of you to this week that is going to be spectacular.

The attendees applauded as Prince Harry entered the stage, embracing Meghan and sharing a quick kiss before approaching the podium.

Addressing the crowd, Harry said, “What a beautiful sight.”

“Are you all tired?” he asked as the crowd shouted out. “Team Canada’s not tired!”

The appearance marked their first official public appearance together in nearly six months, when the duovisited Colombiafor a tour that included salsa dancing, drumming and practicing Spanish as they promoted causes such as safe online spaces, military community and female empowerment. They have since made separate outings and were spottedsupported wildfire relief effortstogether following the Los Angeles tragedy in January.

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source: people.com