My Favorite Moments from Opening Day of the Invictus Games
Everything that made me smile, laugh, and cry in Vancouver — plus fashion details for all of Meghan’s outfits (and Harry’s, too).
Hello from Vancouver! I touched down here Saturday morning and raced to catch the opening ceremony of the 2025 Invictus Games, a sporting event for wounded, injured and sick service people founded by Prince Harry. It was worth the sprint — what an afternoon. I watched the Parade of Nations, featuring 500 athletes from around the world, as well as host of musical acts, including Chris Martin and Katy Perry. Near the end, the Duke of Sussex gave a moving speech about the power of Invictus.
“In this moment of difficulty and division in many parts of the world, we gather here in Vancouver in a spirit of unity,” Harry said to the crowd of thousands at BC Place. “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.”
This is Harry’s passion project, an idea which came to him in 2013 when he returned home from his second tour of Afghanistan. He was on a flight with a trio of injured British soldiers and the coffin of a Danish soldier. That moment had a “profound impact,” according to the Invictus Foundation, as did Harry’s visit to the Warrior Games in the US that spring. “I only hope in the future, the near future, we can bring the Warrior Games to Britain and continue to enlarge this fantastic cause,” he said on the first day of his visit. Harry stuck to his word: The first Invictus Games were staged in London the following year. For a full Invictus primer, you can read my earlier newsletter here.
Since that launch, the games have been held in Orlando (2016, Michelle Obama attended), Toronto (2017, Meghan made her first public appearance!), Sydney (2018, part of the Sussexes’s royal tour), The Hague (2022) and Düsseldorf (2023). Next up, Invictus returns to the United Kingdom, with the 2027 games slated for Birmingham.
The 2025 Vancouver/Whistler Games is the first installment to include winter sports. In addition to the typical summer events, such as wheelchair basketball, there will be competitions on the snow and ice, including sit-skiing and adaptive curling. The Sussexes visited the Invictus training camp last year to learn more, and I was there — read all about it here.
The 2025 games are the first with hybrid hosts, held in partnership with four First Nations: the Lil̓wat7úl (Líl̓wat), xʷməθkʷəy̓əm (Musqueam), Sḵwx̱wú7mesh (Squamish), and səlilwətaɬ (Tsleil-Waututh). This represents “shared healing journey of Indigenous Peoples in Canada,” event producer Patrick Roberge told the CBC. Invictus has worked closely with Indigenous protocols as well as Canada’s Truth & Reconciliation Commission Calls to Action.
“From the bid for the Games through to this week’s competition,” Harry said in his remarks on Saturday, “we have walked together, side-by-side on this journey, and are so grateful to you for having these games on your land.”
Below, my favorite moments from Vancouver on the first day, including Harry and Meghan’s Jumbotron kiss, the bagpiper who made me cry, and Chris Martin being charming as all heck. I have also included a host of fashion credits, detailing not just what Meghan wore but what Harry had on, too. (We very much love to see men step into the royal fashion arena.)
Questions for me on what it’s like to be here? Drop them in the comments — I will do my best to answer!
PS: My outfit for the Opening Ceremony was inspired by Meghan’s earlier Invictus style. How’d I do? 😉 I am wearing a Madewell shirt, Gap jeans (on sale right now), Larroudé boots and Ryan Simkhai sunnies.
My Favorite Moments from Opening Day of the Invictus Games
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Meghan’s Impromptu Introduction
Fashion details: Meghan wore a dress by A.L.C.; Harry wore a Loro Piana blazer, Brioni shirt, J.Crew trousers, and John Varvatos shoes
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