Prince Harry has confirmed he will be at the next Invictus games, saying he is both “excited and nervous” for them in a video messaged posted today.
The Duke revealed that he will attend the Games being held in Germany next month.
Harry, who is currently in Asia for a charity and polo tour, will head to Dusseldorf for the week long event.
The Games begin only a day after the anniversary of the Queen’s death, which is being hosted in Balmoral, Scotland.
Harry is currently in Tokyo for the ISPS Sports Values Summit-Special Edition
Reuters
In the virtual call, Harry sits in a room in his Montecito Mansion, and opens up to the athletes.
“I hope you are excited and probably a bit nervous. I’m both. But I can’t wait to see all of you and have the whole community together once again. It’s been too long.
“It’ll be the best games ever”, the Prince gleamed.
In the video, which was released just today, Harry praised competitors for taking the next step on “healing journey” whilst saying he is currently on one himself.
Addressing the athletes he said: “You’re all on different parts of your healing journey’ before adding: ‘We all are – we always will be’.
“Good luck for the remaining few weeks, have fun, look forward to it. Being nervous is a good thing. We have 21 nations this year and can’t wait to have every continent represented. Except Antarctica – but still working on that”, he grinned.
“Thank you for your service, for your commitment, your determination in getting to this point. We are going to have a lot of fun and yeah, look forward to it. We’re ready to host you. It’s going to be the best games ever, the best games yet.”
It was revealed that Harry’s close friend, singer Rita Ora, will headline the closing ceremony of the games.
Harry will also feature in the closing ceremony, giving a speech which is anticipated to be emotional.
LATEST DEVELOPMENTS:
Meghan in expected to join Harry in Germany
PA
His wife Meghan is expected to attend the second half of the games, where she will hear her husband’s speech.
A source told the Rheinische Post that 'this very emotional element is to be watched personally by Meghan, Duchess of Sussex'.
The couple have yet to be invited to the anniversary of the Queen’s death in Balmoral.
They could easily be in the UK before the games began, but there has been no invite extended to them, sources have said.
“There hasn’t been any outreach to them”, a source commented.
With many royals up in Scotland in the upcoming weeks, it is uncertain whether the Sussexes will see any of them.