Vancouver's BC Place Stadium was buoyant with cheers and sporting spirit as Prince Harry and Meghan Markle attended the 2025 Invictus Games, highlighting both their support for each other and their public response to recent criticism from Donald Trump.
The Daily Mail reported that the highlight of their appearance was their seemingly performative exhibition of affection and mutual support amid comments from Trump about their marriage.
The Games, initiated by Harry in 2014, have become a beacon of hope and recovery for wounded veterans worldwide.
This year's event, which kicked off over the weekend, marked a significant expansion, featuring over 500 competitors and introducing winter sports.
The opening ceremony was a grand affair with a parade of nations and heartwarming introductions by military veterans. As the founders of the Games, Harry and Meghan's presence was highly anticipated, not just for their ongoing patronage but also for their public demeanor in light of recent events.
Their closeness was evident through gestures like hand-holding, kisses, and warm embraces, observed by attendees and a forensic lip reader, Jeremy Freeman.
According to Freeman, the couple's interaction demonstrated a deep bond, especially when Meghan was seen saying "You're amazing!" to Harry before his poignant speech.
Adding a lighter note to their interactions, the couple was spotted on a golf buggy, with Harry affectionately placing his hand on Meghan's thigh, as they interacted warmly with the enthusiastic crowd, encouraging them with shouts of "C’mon, c’mon!"
Analyzed by body language expert Judi James, their actions were noted as a direct response to disparaging remarks recently made by Donald Trump, who openly criticized Meghan while stating he would not challenge Harry’s immigration status.
The ceremony wasn't just about sports and public displays of affection; it also featured stellar performances by high-profile artists like Katy Perry, Chris Martin of Coldplay, Noah Kahan, and Nelly Furtado. Chris Martin humorously compared the cool ambiance of the stadium to "playing a concert in a 'frozen food section'," bringing a light-hearted element to the event.
However, the event was not without its technical difficulties. Attendees and viewers of the livestream experienced audio issues, which momentarily affected the enjoyment of the musical performances.
In his speech, Prince Harry addressed the crowd, emphasizing unity and cooperation among the nations: "In this moment of difficulty and division in many parts, we gather here in Vancouver in a spirit of unity. We represent 23 nations." His words resonated with the purpose of the Invictus Games, reinforcing the themes of solidarity and recovery.
Donald Trump's remarks about the royal couple stirred controversies, especially his description of Meghan as "terrible" and his inclination to "leave [Harry] alone" since he has "enough problems." Such comments have brought additional scrutiny to the couple's actions and public appearances.
Judi James described Meghan's body language during the event as saying "Hold my coat," which can be seen as a statement of readiness to face the challenges and critiques head-on, embodying the fighting spirit that the Invictus Games itself champions.
The couple has consistently used their high-profile status to draw attention to important causes, and their presence at the Invictus Games 2025, amidst personal and public challenges, showcased their resilience and commitment to the veteran community.