Prince Harry, Duke of Sussex makes a speech during the closing ceremony of the Invictus Games Düsseldorf 2023. Photo / Getty Images
Prince Harry, Duke of Sussex makes a speech during the closing ceremony of the Invictus Games Düsseldorf 2023. Photo / Getty Images
The Duke of Sussex has said there is “power” in not defining people by their past pain.
Prince Harry, 39, delivered an emotional farewell speech at the Invictus Games in Dusseldorf on Saturday evening, saying that it was important to judge people by who they are in the present.
Addressing the competitors directly, he said: “Your mission to heal and grow has been a shining example to us all.
“You’ve shown us the power in not defining people by assumption, their backstory or past pain, but rather instead on their ability, how they show up, and who they are in the present.”
The Duke’s five-minute speech – which aimed to keep the focus on the competitors – was delivered at the closing ceremony of the Games, a two-hour extravaganza bringing the curtain down on a week of extraordinary achievement.
The Games saw more than 500 sick and injured service men and women from 21 countries compete in sports from seated volleyball to power lifting.
Prince Harry, Duke of Sussex, and Meghan, Duchess of Sussex attend the closing ceremony of the Invictus Games Düsseldorf 2023. Photo / Getty Images
As he spoke, the Duke was watched by his wife, Meghan, 42, who was wearing a blue Cult Gaia dress, and clapped warmly from her seat in the audience.
Harry has written in his memoir, Spare, of how he remembered hearing the “first bleaty notes” of bagpipes the day before the death of his mother Diana, Princess of Wales, and he evoked the memory again at the games.
The Duke told the crowd at the Merkur Spiel Arena about an encounter he had with Master Corporal James Gendron, a member of the Canadian team, the previous day.
“While we were chatting, I noticed bagpipes lying on the floor in the far corner,” he said.
“Some of you may know what bagpipes mean to me, so I couldn’t help but hope they’d be played!
“Little did I know that 30 minutes later, it would be James picking them up and offering to play – yet I had no idea what they meant to him. Nor did I know what memories they triggered for him.”
Prince Harry, Duke of Sussex, and Meghan, Duchess of Sussex attend the closing ceremony of the Invictus Games Düsseldorf 2023. Photo / Getty Images
The Duke added that during his time serving in Afghanistan, Cpl Gendron had played the pipes during 63 ramp ceremonies – the memorial service held for a fallen soldier, held at the airport in the moments before their bodies are flown home.
“For four years after that last ceremony, he couldn’t touch them,” Prince Harry revealed.
“This week he wasn’t sure whether he could bring himself to play them. But he did. What had once haunted him – dare I say it – may now be what helps heal him.”
The Duke thanked Cpl Gendron for his courage and for “sharing his gift”.
Prince Harry, Duke of Sussex, Meghan, Duchess of Sussex and Yuliia “Taira” Paievska are seen at the “Friends @ Home Event”. Photo / Getty Images
‘You provided the magic’
He told the competitors gathered in the arena with their families that their strength and courage had proved an inspiration to millions of people around the world, showing how joy can emerge from struggle.
“I’m sure you’re all physically exhausted,” he said. “But I hope you are mentally stronger than when you arrived.
“We may have provided the platform, but you provided the magic, and don’t you ever forget that.”
He added: “Tomorrow you will each walk away with memories that are different and unique to you.
“But my hope is that every memory made brings a smile to your face through a sense of belonging, and an opportunity for you and your family to look forward, with pride and with purpose.”
The crowd was later due to be treated to performances from singers Rita Ora and Sam Ryder.
Frank-Walter Steinmeier, the president of Germany, also addressed the crowd.
