Let the Invictus Games begin: Prince William and Harry are all smiles for opening ceremony
PRINCES Harry and William enjoyed the glitz of the Invictus Games opening ceremony this evening ahead of the sporting contest for brave servicemen and woman injured in the line of duty.
William joined Harry, Prince Charles, and Camilla at a glittering opening ceremony for the Invictus Games tonight at the Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park in east London.
The ceremony, broadcast live on BBC1's The One Show, featured Hollywood star Idris Elba, singer Laura Wright, military bands, a song written by Coldplay's Chris Martin, and displays by the Red Arrows, Apache and Merlin helicopters, and the Red Devils parachutists. It paid tribute to the bravery of more than 400 competitors who will take part in nine sports over the next four days. Invictus means unconquerable.
The men and women, who paraded to cheers from a 6,500 crowd, are military personnel wounded, sick or injured in Afghanistan, Iraq, and other conflicts down the years, many with life-changing amputations and other injuries.
They have come from as far afield as Afghanistan, Australia, Canada, Denmark, Estonia, France, Georgia, Germany, Italy, the Netherlands, New Zealand, the United States and Britain to answer Harry's challenge to show the world how wounded warriors can rebuild their lives.
He took to the stage to rapturous applause after being introduced in a video message by US First Lady Michelle Obama.
She told the athletes: "You're inspiring all of us, especially our young people. Inspiring them to believe that if we dig deeper, if we work harder and confront the adversity in our own lives with just a fraction of the courage you show every day, there is nothing we can't achieve.
"To all the family members and care givers in the audience, I want you to know that your courage doesn't go unnoticed either. These heroes wouldn't be here today without you."
In his speech, Harry, who served two tours of duty in Afghanistan, said: "Over the past eight years, I have witnessed the whole cycle of life changing injury; evacuating soldiers and local Afghans to hospital; flying home from Afghanistan with some of those critically injured; meeting others in hospital coming to terms with life changing injuries; and finally trying to keep up with twelve wounded veterans on our way to the South Pole.
"I can only begin to imagine how challenging the journey of recovery is, but the admiration I have for these men and women, to move beyond their injuries, is limitless."
He told how he had been inspired by the Warrior Games in the US. "Seeing people who, only months earlier, had been told they'd never walk again, now winning medals in front of their family and friends was breath taking.
"I knew that anyone would be inspired by what these men and women had achieved, not just other servicemen and women, but all those adjusting to life post injury."
He told the competitors in London: "The British public's support for our servicemen and women has been exceptional; I know they will show you the same over the coming days.
"Finally, I would like to thank you for the tremendous example you set. Your stories move, inspire and humble us. You prove that anything is possible, if you have the will."
The Duchess of Cambridge pulled out of attending Prince Harry's Invictus Games opening ceremony because of severe morning sickness in the early stages of pregnancy.
Kate, 32, who is thought to be about seven weeks pregnant with her second child, has been ordered to rest at home at Kensington Palace as she suffers a fresh bout of hyperemesis gravidarum, which has made her violently ill.
She will also miss a trip to Lee Valley Athletics Centre in east London tomorrow when she was due to join Princes William and Harry at a drumhead service and attend the athletics competition for wounded warriors from 13 nations.
Her first official solo overseas visit, to Malta on September 20 and 21, is also in severe doubt because of her illness, which she also suffered in the early stages of her first pregnancy with Prince George. "The Duchess's attendance on the forthcoming visit to Malta will be kept under review and a decision taken closer to the time," a Kensington Palace spokesman said.
The return of the vomiting condition that forced her to spend three nights in hospital during her first pregnancy with George, has caused concern at the palace. But doctors expect her to recover from it over the next few weeks and enjoy the rest of her pregnancy.