Prince Harry's Invictus Games are now underway in Vancouver-Whistler, Canada, with a star-studded opening ceremony featuring the likes of Katy Perry, Nelly Furtado and Coldplay's Chris Martin. Held in the city's 40,000-capacity BC Place Stadium, the glittering ceremony began at 9pm UK time, ahead of what is anticipated to be the biggest and best Invictus Games to date. After Team United Kingdom entered the stadium, the camera then cut to Harry and Meghan watching from the stands, both received huge cheers as they smiled, with Harry seen waving to the crowd. The whole stadium then stood for the national anthem after hosts Canada entered to a standing ovation.
Indigenous leaders from the traditional territories of the Four Host First Nations of Lílwat, Musqueam, Squamish and Tsleil Waututh, where the Games are being held, raised wooden paddles in a symbolic welcome gesture to the competitors. More than 500 competitors, from 23 countries, will take part in the Games. They entered the stadium in an Olympic-style parade while escorted by Canadian Armed Forces Cadets carrying placards displaying their country's names.
Canadian singer-songwriter Nelly Furtado played some of her best-loved hits to enthusiastic applause as attendees settled in for a night of music and celebration. Coldplay frontman Chris Martin then performed the Invictus Games anthem, which he composed the score for back in 2014. Martin paid tribute to Prince Harry and could be seen joking with him. Harry and Meghan could also be seen on screen laughing.
Crowds were on their feet as Martin sang Coldplay hit Viva La Vida - including Harry and Meghan. Meghan also appeared to be filming Harry on her mobile phone. If you can't see the poll, click here. Master Corporal James Gendron led "a shared moment of healing" on his bagpipes. The serviceman, who previously suffered psychological injuries in Afghanistan after playing at 63 separate funeral-style ceremonies for fallen soldiers, was then joined on stage by more pipers, as well as drummers, who helped him create a cacophony of sound inside the arena. Harry spoke about the Team Canada competitor at the closing ceremony of the last Invictus Games.
Prince Harry paid tribute to injured veterans at the Invictus Games tonight, telling them: "We need you... and we’ll always need you.". Harry, 40, was speaking on stage at the event's opening ceremony, which included performances by pop stars Katy Perry, Chris Martin and Nelly Furtado.The former soldier, who completed two tours of Afghanistan, said: "The Games were born more than a decade ago, from a promise I made to myself. A promise to uphold my obligation—a sacred obligation after my own decade and privilege of military service —to do whatever I could to help my fellow brothers and sisters heal, and to champion everything we stand for.
"Over the past decade I’ve lost count of the times we’ve heard you tell us that the Invictus Games saved you. Respectfully, I disagree. Invictus didn’t save you. You saved yourself. It was you, who pushed through the doubt and despair. "You, who summited your own mountain and brought us along with you. It was you who kept going even when you didn’t think you had any more to give. We didn’t do that. You did."The Games simply reveal what is already within you. That scarcest—and most precious—of the world’s resources: character. A spirit—of fortitude and perseverance that can never be defeated. That is the magic of the Invictus Games.".
As Meghan, 43, proudly watched on from the crowd, Harry added: "Today, and for the next week - warriors unite. In this moment of difficulty and division in many parts of the world, we gather here in Vancouver in a spirit of unity. "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.".
Harry and Meghan had earlier been treated to huge cheers from the 40,000 crowd inside Vancouver's BC Place stadium after they were shown together in the crowd on the arena's giant jumbotron.The two-hour show ended with a high-energy performance by US star Katy Perry, who is a pal and neighbour of Harry and Meghan in Montecito, California. She belted out a number of her biggest songs, including Roar, Part of Me and Firework, alongside soldiers from The Naden Band of the Royal Canadian Navy, the 15th Field Regiment Band and The Royal Canadian Artillery Band. The ceremony also included a performance by Grammy-nominated singer-songwriter Noah Kahan.
Performers later transformed the floor of the stadium to resemble the waters of the Pacific coastline, while giant models of whales and dolphins flew over the audience, who waved blue pom-poms to create the illusion of water.The show also featured art and music by members of all four separate First Nations, including singers, drummers and even a DJ, who combined electronic music with traditional Indigenous rhythms.Men and women from the Canadian Armed Forces also starred throughout the ceremony, including during a rendition of the Canadian national anthem by band members.Soldiers and cadets formed an honour guard, under the direction of Lieutenant Ben Van Slyke, before Governor General of Canada The Honourable Mary Simon gave a speech welcoming the more than 500 competitors and their families from 23 different countries.The Invictus Games Flag entered the stadium escorted by Canadian Rangers before being passed to Chief of Defence Jennie Garignan and Chief Warrant Officer Bob McCann. And there was an emotional moment when Master Corporal James Gendron led "a shared moment of healing" on his bagpipes. The serviceman, who previously suffered psychological injuries in Afghanistan after playing at 63 separate funeral-style ceremonies for fallen soldiers, was then joined on stage by more pipers, as well as drummers, who helped him create a cacophony of sound inside the arena.
