Xtreme Vogue London Desk: Sarah Marshal
Prince Harry will give a welcome speech at the Invictus Games Opening Ceremony, taking place Saturday at the Merkur Spiel-Arena in Dusseldorf. The Opening Ceremony begins at 6 p.m. local time in Germany (9 a.m. PT / 12 p.m. ET). In addition to an appearance from the Duke of Sussex, the ceremony will also feature a performance from rapper Macklemore.
Prince Harry is expected to be on-hand for the duration of the event, so don’t be surprised to see him throughout the week. Harry will also be giving a speech at the Invictus Games Closing Ceremony, which takes place on September 16 at 8 p.m. German time (11 a.m. PT / 2 p.m. ET). Meghan Markle is also expected to appear at the Closing Ceremony, though her participation and role is not clear.
Harry and Meghan aren’t the only big names appearing that night — Rita Ora has been tapped to perform a mini concert to close out this year’s event.
Both Harry and Markle appeared in a promotional video earlier this year to highlight the Games and the competitors. The Invictus Games hold a special place in the lives of the Duke and Duchess — as the Prince recounted in his bestselling book, Spare, the 2017 Invictus Games marked the first time Markle accompanied Harry to an official royal appearance.
What Sports Are at the Invictus Games?
This year’s event in Düsseldorf marks the 6th Invictus Games, and athletes will be competing across ten sports: archery, athletics, cycling, indoor rowing, power lifting, sitting volleyball, swimming, wheelchair basketball, wheelchair rugby, and — new for 2023 — table tennis.
According to organizers, the goal is “to give soldiers who are wounded, injured or ill in body and soul a greater awareness and recognition in society and to support their path in rehabilitation.”
