The 2023 Invictus Games wrapped up in Düsseldorf, Germany over the weekend – and what a spectacular event it was!
Started by Prince Harry in 2014 for wounded, injured and sick service personnel, the games are a beautiful reminder of the power of sport as a means of connection, celebration and healing.
“You have opened people’s hearts, through your vulnerability, through your resilience and your sheer abilities,” the Duke of Sussex told competitors in a moving speech at the closing ceremony on Saturday.
“You have shown us that joy can emerge from struggle.”
Harry, who served in the British Army for 10 years himself and served two tours in Afghanistan, opened the ceremony on September 9 and was later joined by actor, podcaster, author, philanthropist and women’s advocate Meghan Markle, who of course, also happens to be his wife!
The pair attended a number of competitions together including the swimming and wheelchair basketball events where they mingled with competitors and fans.
September 15 was a particularly special day at the games as it was also Prince Harry’s birthday! (Yes, he even got an Invictus Games-themed cake!)
Check out the photos from the 2023 Invictus Games below:
Prince Harry, Duke of Sussex and Meghan, Duchess of Sussex pose with kids at the F&F Kids’ Competition at Centre Court at the Merkus Spiel-Arena during day four of the Invictus Games Düsseldorf 2023 on September 13, 2023 in Düsseldorf, Germany. (Photo by Chris Jackson/Getty Images for the Invictus Games Foundation)
Prince Harry, Duke of Sussex and Meghan, Duchess of Sussex meet with kids at the F&F Kids’ Competition at Centre Court at the Merkus Spiel-Arena during day four of the Invictus Games Düsseldorf 2023 on September 13, 2023. (Photo by Chris Jackson/Getty Images for the Invictus Games Foundation)
Prince Harry, Duke of Sussex and Meghan, Duchess of Sussex pose with team Canada at the F&F Kids’ Competition at Centre Court at the Merkus Spiel-Arena during day four of the Invictus Games Düsseldorf 2023 on September 13, 2023. (Photo by Chris Jackson/Getty Images for the Invictus Games Foundation)
Nazar Vozniuk of Team Ukraine competes in the Men’s 50m Freestyle ISC Final during day four of the Invictus Games Düsseldorf 2023 on September 13, 2023. (Photo by Lukas Schulze/Getty Images for Invictus Games Düsseldorf 2023)
Competitors of Team United Kingdom celebrate as they win third place of the Wheelchair Basketball tournament at Centre Court, Merkus Spiel-Arena during day four of the Invictus Games Düsseldorf 2023 on September 13, 2023. (Photo by Sascha Schuermann/Getty Images for the Invictus Games Foundation)
Menashe Zorik (L) and Yagur Caesari of Israel (R) compete in the Mixed Doubles TT4-7 Semi-Final Table Tennis match between Team Israel and Team Germany during day four of the Invictus Games Düsseldorf 2023 on September 13, 2023. (Photo by Joern Pollex/Getty Images for Invictus Games Düsseldorf 2023)
Catherine of Team France is congratulated by Jessica Garcia of Team USA after her victory in the Women’s Archery Open Recurve Gold Medal match during day six of the Invictus Games Düsseldorf 2023 on September 15, 2023 in Duesseldorf, Germany. (Photo by Dean Mouhtaropoulos/Getty Images for Invictus Games Düsseldorf 2023)
Abu Sedi and team mates of Nigeria celebrate their victory in the Mixed Team Preliminary Round – Pool A Sitting Volleyball match between Team Nigeria and Team Ukraine during day five of the Invictus Games Düsseldorf 2023 on September 14, 2023. (Photo by Lukas Schulze/Getty Images for Invictus Games Düsseldorf 2023)
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Danielle Pothoof of Team United States is carried by Annika Hutsler of Team United States and Kelly McVitty of Team United Kingdom during the Women’s IT1 200m Final during day two of the Invictus Games Düsseldorf 2023 on September 11, 2023 in Duesseldorf, Germany. (Photo by Joern Pollex/Getty Images for Invictus Games Düsseldorf 2023)
Gold medal winner Jason Smith of Team United States (C), Silver medal winner Anwar Alsaidat of Team Jordan (L) and Bronze medal winner Michael Cameron of Team Australia (R) celebrate at the Men’s IP8 Powerlifting Medal Ceremony during day one of the Invictus Games Düsseldorf 2023 on September 10, 2023 in Duesseldorf, Germany. (Photo by Dean Mouhtaropoulos/Getty Images for Invictus Games Düsseldorf 2023)
Hussam Alhwayyan of Team Jordan competes in the Men’s IF6 Shot Put Final during day one of the Invictus Games Düsseldorf 2023 on September 10, 2023 in Duesseldorf, Germany. (Photo by Lukas Schulze/Getty Images for Invictus Games Düsseldorf 2023)
Prince Harry’s cake! Photo by David Young for Invictus Games Düsseldorf
(Feature Image Credit: David Young, Invictus Games Düsseldorf 2023)
