Meghan Markle gave a special introduction to her “incredible husband” and the founder of the sporting event, Prince Harry, at the opening ceremony of the Invictus Games on April 16. The two then shared a sweet kiss after the introduction.
Not only did they speak at the ceremony, but Markle and Harry also attended the Invictus Games’ first event, the Jaguar Land Rover Challenge, and were later spotted being adorably driven around a closed course by two children in silver miniature cars.
“This is service. This is dedication. And this is the Invictus family.”
— Omid Scobie (@scobie) April 16, 2022
Meghan, Duchess of Sussex gives a speech at the @InvictusGamesNL opening ceremony before introducing Prince Harry to the stage. pic.twitter.com/L3v6fDucZh
In a video of her speech, which was posted on Twitter by journalist Omid Scobie, Markle revealed how the couple was “so grateful” to the Netherlands, where the Games are currently being held, for “welcoming us and for hosting the Invictus Games.”
“For each team, my husband and I both recognize it’s been a lot to get here both physically and emotionally,” she shared. “Not least of which for the Ukraine team, who we are all standing with.”
“It is here at the Invictus Games that we honor your years of active duty on the field and your continued service to your country, to your family, and your community off the field,” she said. “Thank you so much for your service and thank you to all the family and the friends that are here who have been supporting you along the way. Because this is service. This is dedication. And this is the Invictus family.”
She then shone a light on her husband, who she married in 2018, Meghan added that it was her “distinguished honor” to welcome the Duke of Sussex to the stage and praised his dedication to the Games.
“He has also spent many late nights and early mornings planning for these Games to make them as perfect as possible for each of you,” she said. “I could not love and respect him more and I know that all of you feel the same because he’s your fellow veteran, having served two tours of duty in Afghanistan and 10 years of military service.”
Calling him the father of “our two little ones” (the two share son Archie, 2, and daughter Lili, 10 months), Meghan concluded her speech by stating, “Please welcome my incredible husband.”