Meghan Markle, the Duchess of Sussex, graced the 2023 Invictus Games with her presence, joining Prince Harry for the third day of the event. The royal couple attended a special dinner dedicated to the families and friends of this year's competitors. During the event, Meghan took the opportunity to address the audience, making a touching reference to their children, Prince Archie and Princess Lilibet.
The Duchess began her speech by expressing her excitement about being part of the games and apologized for her slightly delayed arrival. She humorously attributed her tardiness to parental duties, stating, "Just like so many of you, this is about family and friends... I just had to spend a little bit more time at home getting our little ones settled, getting milkshakes, doing school drop-off, and then I landed a couple of hours ago."
Meghan's speech was not just about personal anecdotes. She took a moment to express her gratitude to the Fisher House Foundation for hosting the dinner. The Duchess recalled her recent visit to one of the organization's houses in Los Angeles, where she was deeply moved by their efforts. The Fisher House Foundation, an international non-profit, has been a long-standing sponsor of the Invictus Games Family & Friends Programme since its inception by Prince Harry in 2014. Their mission is to improve the quality of life for military personnel, veterans, and their families by offering comfortable housing near major military and Veterans Affairs (VA) medical centers. Currently, there are 94 Fisher Houses across the U.K., the U.S.A., and Germany.
Meghan emphasized the collective spirit of the Invictus Games, sharing that the Canadian team had gifted her a bracelet bearing the initials of a team member who couldn't attend. She highlighted that while not everyone can be physically present at the games, their spirit and support are always felt.
The highlight of her speech was the affectionate mention of her children with Prince Harry. The Duchess shared her eagerness to introduce Prince Archie, 4, and Princess Lilibet, 2, to the Invictus Games in the future, so they can "experience just how awesome" the event truly is.
Both Meghan and Prince Harry are scheduled to attend the closing ceremony of the 2023 Invictus Games on September 16. Prince Harry has been actively involved since the games commenced with an opening ceremony on September 9.
The Invictus Games, a multi-sport event for wounded, injured, or sick armed services personnel, has always held a special place in the hearts of the Duke and Duchess of Sussex. Meghan's recent speech only reinforces their commitment and the personal connection they share with this noble cause.