Meghan Markle gives a shout out to Archie and Lilibet at Invictus Games

Meghan Markle and Prince Harry demonstrated their unwavering support for the veteran community by attending the 2023 Invictus Games in Düsseldorf, Germany, reported People. Meghan, the Duchess of Sussex, age 42, joined her husband at this international adaptive sports competition designed for injured, sick, and wounded service personnel and veterans.

Meghan made her debut at the Family & Friends gathering on Tuesday evening, following her journey from California. She warmly mentioned their children, 4-year-old Prince Archie and 2-year-old Princess Lilibet, in a heartfelt speech.

"It's truly a special moment to be here, and I apologize for my slight delay. Just like many of you, we understand the significance of family, friends, and the tight-knit community that Invictus and Fischer House have nurtured. I had to spend some extra time getting our little ones settled back home – arranging milkshakes, managing school drop-offs – and I only landed a few hours ago. I'm absolutely thrilled that my first Invictus event is here with all of you," said the Duchess of Sussex, as reported by Hello!.

She continued, "It's truly remarkable, and I've heard that the week has gotten off to a great start – is that right?" The crowd responded with cheers.

Meghan went on to express her gratitude to the Fisher House for organizing the festive event. She shared that she had recently visited one of the foundation's Los Angeles hubs. The Fisher House Foundation provides a comforting environment for military and veteran families while their loved ones are hospitalized, operating 94 Fisher Houses in the U.S., U.K., and Germany.

"A couple of weeks ago, I had the privilege of visiting one of their houses in Los Angeles, and I was deeply moved by everything they do. They, like you, like my husband in creating the Invictus Games, understand the profound importance of rehabilitation, not just as an individual experience but as a family endeavor," Meghan emphasized. "I'm genuinely proud to be a part of the Invictus family alongside all of you. I'm thankful for all of you who are here. We've also received some gifts from the Canadian team – a bracelet with the initials of someone who couldn't make it tonight."

"We have so many people back home rooting for all of you, even if they can't be here with you physically, they are here in spirit. Thank you, and thank you for this fantastic band. We're looking forward to an incredible week," the Duchess of Sussex concluded, extending a shoutout to Archie and Lili.

In a behind-the-scenes glimpse, the Invictus Games Foundation shared photos of Meghan, including one of her and Harry walking down a hallway. During her time at the event, the Duchess of Sussex held hands with Yuliia “Taira” Paievska from Team Ukraine, one of the competitors featured in the Netflix docuseries "Heart of Invictus." This documentary follows competitors from six countries as they prepare for the Games in The Hague in April 2022. It is produced by Archewell Productions, Harry and Meghan's production hub, in partnership with the Invictus Games Foundation.

Officials expressed their gratitude for the Duke and Duchess of Sussex's presence at the Family & Friends party, highlighting the importance of loved ones in the recovery process for community members.

Prince Harry, aged 38, founded the Invictus Games in 2014, inspired by his experience attending the 2013 Warrior Games in the U.S. and recognizing the transformative power of sport for veterans.

Harry's visit to Germany followed a brief stop in the U.K., where he attended the annual WellChild Awards, supporting a charity for seriously ill children that he has patronized for 15 years. He also visited St. George's Chapel in Windsor Castle to commemorate the first anniversary of Queen Elizabeth's passing on September 8.

In August, it was announced that Harry and Meghan would attend the Invictus Games together, with a spokesperson confirming, "The Duke and Duchess of Sussex are delighted to attend the Invictus Games 2023 in Düsseldorf." The statement added that Harry would be present throughout the games, with Meghan joining shortly after the start.

The 2023 Invictus Games began on Saturday, officially starting on Sunday, and are scheduled to run until September 16 for the tournament's sixth cycle. Previous editions have been held in London (2014), Orlando (2016), Toronto (2017), Sydney (2018), and The Hague (2022). In 2025, the Invictus Games will return to North America, taking place in Vancouver and Whistler, Canada.

Harry and Meghan famously made their public debut as a couple at the 2017 Invictus Games in Toronto, where Meghan resided while filming "Suits." Meghan has been a steadfast supporter of Invictus, attending the Sydney Games with her husband in 2018 (shortly after Kensington Palace announced her pregnancy with their first child, Archie) and joining him at The Hague in the Netherlands the following spring. On both occasions, she graced the stage, delivering speeches at the closing ceremony in 2018 and introducing Harry at the opening ceremony in April 2022, where they shared a sweet kiss.