Prince Harry made his second appearance in Vancouver today as he launched the Invictus Games school program with a heartwarming game of sitting volleyball.
The Duke of Sussex, 40, visited the Seaforth Armoury on Monday, and met with elementary school children studying in Vancouver as he talked to them about the Invictus Games – an annual adaptive sports tournament for wounded and injured service personnel.
His visit comes after he made a surprise solo appearance at the Canadian cup final just days after his wife Meghan Markle attended a friend’s glitzy party without her husband.
During his visit to the historic Canadian military facility today, Prince Harry participated in a series of events – including a spirited game of sitting volleyball – and appeared deep in conversation with his young fans.
Heartwarming photographs from the event showed Harry, who was dressed in a grey shirt, surrounded by smiling children as the group posed for photographs.
In a speech that was shared on X, Harry said the visit had a ‘profound impact’ on him, as he shared his hopes for the spirit of Invictus Games extending beyond its community ‘into schools in Canada and hopefully around the world’.
‘Seeing them learn about the Invictus Games has had a profound impact on me, because this is where Invictus starts to go even wider outside of the Invictus community, into schools in Canada and hopefully around the world,’ he said.
Videos from Harry’s visit to Seaforth Armoury showed him surrounded by school children, as they appeared eager to share a high-five with the duke.
Prince Harry appeared in his element as he participated in a sitting volleyball adaptive sport lesson with students from Shaughnessy Elementary School during an event to launch the Invictus Games school programme in Vancouver
The Duke of Sussex seemed to be popular with the school children who were all eager to share a high five with the royal
Sharing a giggle! Marjorie Yuan, centre right, reacts as she talks with Prince Harry
Prince Harry couldn’t keep the smile from his face as he talked with students from Shaughnessy Elementary School
The Duke of Sussex put on an animated display as he played a game of sitting volleyball
His visit to the armoury comes one day after he stood pitchside at the Grey Cup in Vancouver on Sunday.
Harry waved at fans and gave a cheery thumbs up to the crowd when he turned up to the match before the Toronto Argonauts took on the Winnipeg Blue Bombers.
Harry is currently in Vancouver to promote the the Invictus Games, which take place in Vancouver and Whistler from February 8 to February 16.
But the Duchess of Sussex, who has attended the Invictus Games with Harry since 2017, did not accompany him during the promotional visit.
Meghan, 43, was pictured partying without her husband in Los Angeles on Thursday at the celeb-loved restaurant Gjelina where she supported the launch of her friend and A-lister hairdresser Kadi Lee’s new Highbrow Hippie hair wellness range.
The Duchess is an investor in Lee’s new collection.
Prince Harry opened up in a emotional video about the ‘healing power of sport’ ahead of next year’s Invictus Games.
The Duke of Sussex released the message on the official account for the 2025 Games to be held in Vancouver, Canada, on X, formerly Twitter in September.
He told viewers: ‘Sport has the ability to heal, to change lives and to save lives.
Wait for it! Prince Harry keeps his eye on the ball as he participates in a sitting volleyball adaptive sport lesson
Prince Harry speaks with high school students during the Invictus Games 2025 School Program Launch Event at Seaforth Armoury
The Duke of Sussex plays sitting volleyball with elementary school students during the Invictus Games 2025 School Program Launch Event at Seaforth Armoury
Say cheese! The Duke poses for a photograph with students from Shaughnessy Elementary School
Harry is patron of the Invictus Games which he established in 2014 as an international adaptive multi-sport event for wounded, injured, and sick servicemen and women.
Both serving troops and veterans are encouraged to compete as part of their recovery journeys.
Harry added in his direct address in the 117-second video: ‘For so many of these competitors, getting to the start line has been one of the hardest moments of their life.
‘But at the Games, their lives are changed. Watching these magical moments happen, and sport being the facilitator of that, is very, very special for all of us to witness.’
Earlier this summer the prince hailed the wounded, injured and sick serving UK personnel and veterans who are to take part in the 64-strong squad, made up of 60 competitors and four reserves.
They were named as Team UK for what is called the Invictus Games Vancouver Whistler scheduled to be held next February.
‘Team UK will join over 500 competitors from across 20 nations in this groundbreaking event that expands the range and profile of winter adaptive sports.
‘These games present an incredible opportunity for our courageous service personnel and veterans to demonstrate their skills in new challenges like alpine skiing, snowboarding and skeleton, as well as providing a truly memorable experience for their families.
‘We’re excited to see their passion, determination, and resilience on full display as they take on this new chapter.’
Next year’s Invictus Games in Vancouver will be the first Invictus Games to include winter sports.
Team UK captain, Stephen ‘Hoops’ Hooper, is returning for his second Invictus Games after competing in powerlifting and sitting volleyball at Dusseldorf in 2023.
Hooper, who served in the RAF and was diagnosed with PTSD before being medically discharged in 2021, said: ‘To be selected for Team UK again was overwhelming in itself, but to be captain as well, is a privilege.
‘I gained a lot from the whole Team UK experience last time around, I’ve gone from standing in the corner of a room and not talking to anybody, to finding my voice again.
‘And that’s what I want to do for others this time – make sure every member of Team UK comes together and takes those steps forward in their recovery.’
Harry’s visit to Canada comes just days after his wife put on a glamorous display at the Highbrow Hippie launch party in California.
Prince Harry posed for photos with students from Shaughnessy Elementary School after taking part in a sitting volleyball adaptive sport lesson
The Duchess, who is also an investor in trendy oat latte brand Clevr Blends, as well as handbag label Cesta Collective, said about her latest investment: ‘I am so proud to invest in [Kadi] as a friend and as a female founder.
She told InStyle: ‘Kadi [Lee] has a mastery of hair health, and her Highbrow Hippie collection is a perfect reflection of that.’
The hairdresser – whose salon is based in the bohemian LA neighborhood of Venice – boasts several famous clients, such as Oscar-winning actress Julia Roberts, Brad Pitt and Sigourney Weaver.
Meghan on Thursday was joined by friend and makeup artist, Daniel Martin, as well as celeb hairstylist Serge Normant, who famously styled the mother-of-two’s hair for her wedding ceremony in 2018.
Normant is believed to have introduced Meghan to Lee, who has often posted on social media about coloring the Duchess’ hair.
The hairdresser and her friend Myka Harris founded their salon in 2019 following the success of their shared blog.
Their webpage – which also reveals the owners’ star signs – reads: ‘Highbrow Hippie was created to fill a void. Our goal is to expand the definition of a salon and return to its historical meaning – a gathering place to exchange thoughts and ideas.
‘Creating a sense of community, self care and a way to drop out for a few hours and focus on yourself.
Prince Harry waves to fans ahead of the game between Toronto Argonauts and Winnipeg blue Bombers at BC Place on Sunday
The Duchess of Sussex (pictured left), 43, supported her friend and A-lister hairdresser Kadi Lee (picture centre) in Venice, California on Thursday night at a glitzy launch event. Pictured right, celeb hairstylist Serge Normant
‘Our intention is to refocus on self care, community and experience. What works best for our customers is always top of mind and we hope that people will leave feeling inspired, connected, grounded and maybe having learned something new – either about themselves or someone else.
‘These small steps and attention to detail equal a huge amount of luxury in today’s fast paced and overly connected world.’
Their new collection will include the Root Replenish Active Growth Serum ($88.00) and the Essential Wellbeing Complex supplement ($118.00) to start with.