The couple is heading for a big trip from America to Europe next month, but the final destination is not where their Royal Family relatives are living.
Meghan Markle, alongside her husband Prince Harry, is set to attend the upcoming 2023 Invictus Games in Düsseldorf, Germany, according to a spokesperson for the Duke and Duchess of Sussex.
'The Duke and Duchess of Sussex are delighted to attend the Invictus Games 2023 in Düsseldorf. The Duke will be in attendance throughout the entirety of the games and will be joined by The Duchess shortly after the games begin,' a spokesperson stated.
The event is scheduled to take place from September 9 - the day after the one-year anniversary of Queen Elizabeth’s passing, to 16 and will mark the sixth cycle of the international adaptive sports competition for injured, sick, and wounded service personnel and veterans. The Duke of Sussex, who founded the Invictus Games in 2014, will be present throughout the games, with Meghan joining shortly after the event begins.
Prince Harry's inspiration for The Invictus Games
The Invictus Games stand as a global multi-sport gathering designed for servicemen and women who have endured wounds, injuries, and illnesses, encompassing both active duty personnel and veterans. The competition took place in London (2014), Orlando (2016), Toronto (2017), Sydney (2018), and The Hague (2022). Looking ahead to 2025, the Invictus Games are scheduled to make a North American comeback, this time in Vancouver and Whistler, Canada.
The Invictus Games hold a special place in Prince Harry's heart as he served in the British Army for a decade and completed two tours of Afghanistan. According to Tatler, the event was inspired by his experience at the 2013 Warrior Games in the U.S., highlighting the transformative power of sports for individuals who have served. He told PEOPLE back in 2014:
'When I was in the Army, I promised myself I would be out before having a wife and kids, because I couldn't imagine the heartache of being apart for so long during deployment, the risk of possibly getting injured, and the reality that my family's lives could be changed forever if that happened.'
This sentiment was echoed by Prince Harry at the ISPS Sports Values Summit-Special Edition in Tokyo, where he emphasized how sports can facilitate healing and build a sense of community.
Meghan Markle's special role at The Invictus Games
The Invictus Games have been significant in Prince Harry and Meghan Markle's relationship. The couple made their first public appearance as a couple at the 2017 Invictus Games in Toronto, Canada. Meghan, who has been a fervent supporter of the event, attended subsequent games in Sydney in 2018 and The Hague in 2022. In these events, she not only attended but also actively participated by delivering remarks and introducing her husband on stage.
Meghan's involvement in the Invictus Games extends beyond attending. According to Hello!, she and Prince Harry have been working on a docuseries titled Heart of Invictus, produced by their production company, Archewell Productions. The series follows athletes as they prepare for the Invictus Games and aims to capture the journey of these competitors as they navigate challenges and triumphs.
The 2023 Invictus Games in Düsseldorf are set to be a significant event, with Prince Harry giving a speech and Meghan moderating the closing ceremony, as reported by German newspaper Rheinische Post. The couple is expected to participate in various events and activities throughout the games.
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