Prince Harry sends message to Invictus event in Germany on royal celebration day in the United Kingdom
Prince Harry released a video statement aimed at athletes taking part in the opening ceremony of the Invictus Germany 2026 Sports Festival, held on Saturday 13 June.
The Duke of Sussex’s appearance at the event in Düsseldorf coincided with the participation of the British royal family in the traditional Trooping the Color parade, which was taking place simultaneously in London.
The Duke of Sussex is scheduled to return to the United Kingdom for the month of July, where he will participate in commitments linked to the Invictus Games, however, without the presence of his wife, Meghan Markle, and their children.
Amid the royal celebration of Trooping the Color, Prince Harry opted to participate via recorded message.
The annual ceremony in London, on June 13, was attended by Kate Middleton, Prince William and their three children — Prince George, Princess Charlotte and Prince Louis. On the morning of the same day, the 41-year-old Duke of Sussex spoke in a recording broadcast at the opening of the Invictus Germany 2026 Sports Festival, an offshoot of the well-known Invictus Games.
In a video released on the Invictus Games Instagram Stories, Harry expressed: “It’s an honor to send this message as you all gather in Düsseldorf for another Invictus sporting event.” He, a prince and former captain in the British Army, founded the Invictus Games in 2014 to support injured military personnel and veterans.
The Duke of Sussex went on to say that “Germany offers a strong example of what it means to value service with dignity and continued dedication.” He highlighted that “we are gathered for the second Invictus Germany Sports Festival, welcoming 11 nations. What was developed here already serves as the basis for the first Invictus Australia Sports Festival, which will take place later this year.”
Footage of Prince Harry in his video message shared at the Invictus Germany 2026 Sports Festival on June 13 has been released.
Concluding his video address to the German participants in the championship, which includes both active and reserve military personnel, Prince Harry expressed his gratitude and emphasized the importance of camaraderie and a spirit of unity at the event.
He concluded with a message of encouragement: “Thank you for your service, for your example and for demonstrating what it means to move forward together. Have a great time in Düsseldorf, support each other when needed and celebrate all your achievements. And most of all, have fun.”
The release of Harry’s video to international athletes occurred on the same day that most members of the British royal family took part in King Charles’s birthday procession in London, an event that traditionally culminates with a public appearance on the balcony of Buckingham Palace.
The monarch, King Charles, 77, and his consort, Queen Camilla, captured the highlight image of the day, observing the Royal Air Force (RAF) aerial display in front of the palace. On the balcony, William, 43, Kate, 44, and their three heirs were also seen, who before their appearance on the balcony, enjoyed a carriage ride through the streets of the London capital.
A photograph shows Prince William, Kate Middleton, Princess Charlotte, Prince George and Prince Louis at Trooping the Color in London on June 13, 2026.
Among the other royals who were present on the balcony were Princess Anne, Vice-Admiral Sir Timothy Laurence, Prince Edward, Sophie, the Duchess of Edinburgh, Prince Richard, the Duke of Gloucester, Birgitte, the Duchess of Gloucester, and Prince Edward, the Duke of Kent.
Prince Harry has participated in Trooping the Color since childhood, and his wife, Meghan Markle, has been present with the royal family at certain editions of the event. The Duchess of Sussex made her first appearance at the annual parade weeks after her wedding in 2018, and she and Harry returned the following year.
On both occasions, Meghan, 44, and Harry were part of the carriage procession and were on the balcony of Buckingham Palace. However, in recent years, they have not received an invitation to the event, after stepping away from their roles as active members of the royal family – and this year’s edition of Trooping the Color followed the same pattern.
Since the beginning of King Charles’ reign, Buckingham Palace has imposed restrictions on attendance on the balcony, only allowing members of the royal family carrying out official duties to attend. This annual event has become an exclusive showcase for royalty in active service, in line with the King’s proposal to consolidate a leaner and more focused monarchy.
An image captured Meghan Markle and Prince Harry at the 2025 TIME100 Summit in New York on April 23, 2025.
Residing in California, Meghan’s home state, Harry is scheduled to return to Great Britain next month to participate in another engagement. He will travel to Birmingham, England, in July, to attend events linked to the Invictus Games, scheduled to be hosted in the city in 2027.
