• Britain's Duke and Duchess of Sussex attend a reception hosted by The Hague in the Netherlands and the Dutch Ministry of Defence, ahead of the Invictus Games at Zuiderpark in the city. PA
    Britain's Duke and Duchess of Sussex attend a reception hosted by The Hague in the Netherlands and the Dutch Ministry of Defence, ahead of the Invictus Games at Zuiderpark in the city. PA
  • Meghan, Duchess of Sussex arrives ahead of the start of the Invictus Games in The Hague. The EPA
    Meghan, Duchess of Sussex arrives ahead of the start of the Invictus Games in The Hague. The EPA
  • Prince Harry and Meghan, Duke and Duchess of Sussex, talk to mayor Jan van Zanen of The Hague, ahead of the Invictus Games, which take place from April 16 to 22. AP
    Prince Harry and Meghan, Duke and Duchess of Sussex, talk to mayor Jan van Zanen of The Hague, ahead of the Invictus Games, which take place from April 16 to 22. AP
  • The games are for military personnel and veterans who have been psychologically or physically injured in service. AP
    The games are for military personnel and veterans who have been psychologically or physically injured in service. AP
  • Britain's Prince Harry, who served in the British Army, and his wife Meghan, Duchess of Sussex, at a ceremony before the games open. Reuters
    Britain's Prince Harry, who served in the British Army, and his wife Meghan, Duchess of Sussex, at a ceremony before the games open. Reuters
  • Zuiderpark has been renamed the Invictus Games Park for the week of the event. PA Photo
    Zuiderpark has been renamed the Invictus Games Park for the week of the event. PA Photo
  • Prince Harry and Meghan, Duchess of Sussex, attend a friends and family reception in The Hague. The Dutch city describes itself the global centre of peace and justice. Reuters
    Prince Harry and Meghan, Duchess of Sussex, attend a friends and family reception in The Hague. The Dutch city describes itself the global centre of peace and justice. Reuters
  • Prince Harry greets well-wishers in The Hague. He launched the Invictus Games in 2014. Reuters
    Prince Harry greets well-wishers in The Hague. He launched the Invictus Games in 2014. Reuters
  • The Duchess of Sussex waves to well-wishers. She and her future husband made their first official appearance as a couple at the 2017 Invictus Games in Toronto, Canada. PA Photo
    The Duchess of Sussex waves to well-wishers. She and her future husband made their first official appearance as a couple at the 2017 Invictus Games in Toronto, Canada. PA Photo
  • The 2022 Invictus Games in The Hague will feature 500 competitors from 20 different countries, participating in 10 sports. PA
    The 2022 Invictus Games in The Hague will feature 500 competitors from 20 different countries, participating in 10 sports. PA

Harry and Meghan in Europe for Invictus Games in first public event since royal split


Simon Rushton
  • English
  • Arabic

Britain's Prince Harry and Meghan have made their first public appearance together in Europe since quitting as senior working royals more than two years ago.

The couple arrived at the Invictus Games in The Hague, the Netherlands, on Friday, after stopping off in the UK to visit Queen Elizabeth and Prince Charles.

They visited the queen and met the Prince of Wales in Windsor on Thursday, having flown in from their home in the US.

Prince Harry and Meghan both wore suits for a reception in sunshine at the Zuiderpark, where the games are being held.

They were photographed and filmed by about 50 members of the media.

The pair walked into the reception hand in hand.

Their trip to the UK came after they were absent from the memorial ceremony in London last month for the queen's husband Prince Philip, who died last year.

Flying visit: Britain's Prince Harry and his wife, Meghan. EPA
Flying visit: Britain's Prince Harry and his wife, Meghan. EPA

Prince Harry is bringing a claim against the Home Office after being told he would no longer be given the same degree of personal protective security when visiting from the US, despite offering to pay for it himself.

He wants to bring his children to visit, but he and his family are “unable to return to his home” because it is too dangerous, his legal representative has said.

On Thursday night, a representative of the couple confirmed they visited the queen before their appearance at the Invictus Games.

Meghan's attendance at the games for the first few days of the event was confirmed by a representative of the couple on Monday.

The couple walk with officials on the yellow carpet ahead of the Invictus Games. ANP
The couple walk with officials on the yellow carpet ahead of the Invictus Games. ANP
Updated: June 20, 2023, 12:37 PM