Meghan Markle and Prince Harry are not afraid of public displays of affection. In mid-February, the Duke and Duchess of Sussex packed on t...
Meghan Markle and Prince Harry are not afraid of public displays of affection.
In mid-February, the Duke and Duchess of Sussex packed on the PDA as they watched from the stands during the opening ceremony of the Invictus Games in Vancouver.
Wrapped up in a beige trench coat from Canadian brand Sentaler (worth an estimated £2,050), Meghan, 43, was pictured holding on to Harry's arm and snuggling into him before leaning in for a passionate kiss.
Created by the Duke of Sussex in 2014 following his return from Afghanistan, the Invictus Games offers 'a recovery pathway for international wounded, injured and sick servicemen and women' with a peer-to-peer support network as well as an adaptive sport event every two years.
Before the prince went on stage to deliver a speech at the opening ceremony, he turned to his wife to issue her with a cheeky instruction.
Continuing to analyse the sweet footage, she added: 'Meghan gives him a kiss on the lips and says "all the best".'
Other keen royal watchers have theorised the Duchess said: 'You're the best.'
Either three-word reply would have been apt as Harry left Meghan's side to deliver a speech to the 50,000 spectators and 500 competitors from 23 countries who had come together for the event.
After gulping down a bottle of water, Harry took to the stage in his suit and tie to speak of his 'sacred obligation' to do everything he can to help military veterans like himself.
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 told the crowd: 'In this moment of difficulty and division in many parts of the world, we gather here in Vancouver in a spirit of unity. We represent 23 nations, speak many different languages and reflect the full breadth of the world's religions and faiths.
'Beyond any differences, here at the Invictus Games we are grounded in mutual respect, competing fiercely, but believing in one another. Supporting one another. And rooting for one another.
'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.'
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Saying there was 'no shortage of crises' in the world, he added: '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 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.'
The Prince finished off his speech with a quotation from American writer Toni Morrison - who his wife Meghan is a fan of.
The Duchess shared her personal list of ten women who have changed her life and career in an interview with Glamour in 2017. Nobel Prize-winning author Morrison, best known for her first novel The Bluest Eye (1970), was one of them.
Having taken a class on the author at university, Meghan said at the time: 'The first time I read The Bluest Eye, I thought "wow"! She creates this world for you that you get to feel a part of.'
As well as Prince Harry, a star-studded line-up graced the Invictus stage in Vancouver, including A-listers such as Katy Perry, Coldplay's Chris Martin, Noah Kahan and Nelly Furtado.
Frontman Martin performed the Invictus Anthem, which he was previously asked to write by Prince Harry in 2014, accompanied by choir and military band.
Later, he jibed that Prince Harry had tried to get many other performers to write the Invictus anthem - and he was his last resort.
The audience was later brought to their feet with one of the Brit-pop band's biggest hits, Viva La Vida.
Nelly Furtado, who has sold more than 45million records and is one of Canada's most successful singers, also took to the stage in an all-black ensemble, starting with one of her most famous hits, I'm Like A Bird.
She was joined by Indigenous blind music producer and recording artist Mattmac. The rapper has had more than 30 million streams across all platforms.
Stick Season singer Noah Kahan also took to the stage, singing his best-known tracks which led to him earning a nomination for Best New Artist at the Grammys in 2023.
Closing out the ceremony was pop superstar Katy Perry taking centre stage in a military-inspired outfit, accompanied by a military band.
The Invictus Games is sentimental for Harry and Meghan as they appeared in public together for the first time at the event in Toronto in 2017.
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