Prince Harry was brought to tears as he was told he had changed the lives of so many people as an emotion charged ceremony closed the Invictus Games in Vancouver.

He visibly welled up after Canadian Premier Justin Trudeau spoke of the impact Harry had on so many injured military veterans and their families with his work and dedication.

Harry gave a thumbs up to the speech and looked down with tears in his eyes as the 20,000 people at the ceremony gave him a lengthy standing ovation.

And 1,000 miles away at their home in 

California his wife Meghan posted to her Instagram a video clip of Harry being applauded with the words: ‘So proud of you.’

During the two-hour ceremony the Prince and Trudeau each paid glowing tribute to the military veterans who have taken part in the games and saluted their courage and resilience.

In his speech, the Duke of Sussex acknowledged the world was still ‘full of strife and trauma’. 

He delivered his address saying it was from ‘one soldier to another’ and said he wanted to honour not only those at the games but ‘comrades, friends of loved ones lost to battle or to suicide’. 

Harry also took time to honour the four First Nations on whose land the games had taken place.

Harry says ‘whole world stands with Ukraine’ at Invictus Games

Meghan shares gushing Valentine’s Day tribute to Prince Harry after leaving Invictus Games early

He told leaders of the indigenous tribes: ‘What your people have endured should never have happened.’

He continued: ‘You show the world how to move forward. Armed with truth in order to achieve reconciliation.’

Harry told the audience that the Invictus community was making the world a better place.

‘You might swear allegiance to different flags, but you stand united in your decency, your compassion and your spirit of service.

‘I can’t stand before you and promise there won’t be challenging times ahead. But I promise you, you’re better equipped now than you ever were before.’

He ended the speech shouting out: ‘Bring on Invictus Birmingham 2027.’

The spectacle was held at the Rogers Stadium in downtown Vancouver.

Musical performances from The Bare Naked Ladies and US country and western singer Jelly Roll added to the party atmosphere inside the stadium which is usually home to the Vancouver Cannucks hockey team.

Meghan ‘so proud’ of Harry during Invictus Games closing ceremony

Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, who had earlier sat with Harry at the indoor rowing event held in the Vancouver Convention Centre, told the audience: ‘Service to your country is the noblest of all. Your strength and resilience is inspiring.’

He was wildly cheered when he paid tribute to the Ukrainian team and pledged that their fight for freedom would continue.

And in a veiled swipe at US President Trump who has ruptured relations with Canada by imposing trade tariffs he said: ‘To our neighbour and allies the Americans we have stood together for generations. Americans are our friends and always will be.’

One of the most emotional moments came when Chole Angus walked the Invictus flag on to the stage in a groundbreaking exoskeleton created by British Columbia’s Human in Motion Robotics.

The UK team then took centre stage with the poignant handing over of the flag from Veteran’s Minister Al Carns.

The MP accepted it on behalf of the city of Birmingham where the games will be held in July 2027.

The former Royal Marine Colonel said: ‘Many of us, especially those who served in Iraq and Afghanistan, have come back to Birmingham for treatment at the Queen Elizabeth Hospital, playing a key role in their recovery.

‘For them, to return to Birmingham, and to take part in the next games, will complete their journey to recovery.

Prince Harry surprises families of Invictus athletes with a chat

Unearthed footage shows what really happened during Harry and Meghan’s awkward walkabout

‘The Invictus Games is not just about courage; it’s about the continuation of service for individuals who are given the opportunity to once again serve and represent a country.’

The Royal British Legions Team UK captains Stephen Hooper, Neil Thomas and Gemma Barnes received the flag to loud cheers from the excited spectators.

Hooper, an RAF veteran diagnosed with PTSD from his experiences in Iraq before being medically discharged in 2021, said: ‘Team UK have had an awesome week in Vancouver Whistler!

‘We’ve enjoyed stunning scenery and made memories to last a lifetime.

‘We arrived in Canada full of anticipation – we leave stronger, braver, more resilient and closer than ever to our recovery. We are proud to bring Games home to Birmingham in 27.’

The Royal British Legion and Ministry of Defence supported 62 competitors at Invictus to represent their nation and aid in their recovery journey.

Several gold medals were won with Elizabeth Brown winning the Skeleton with a speed of 100km per hour and became the fastest woman of the competition.

Harry had launched the games in 2014 after visiting the Warrior Games for US military veterans the year previously.

For 2025 it was the first time the games have been held in two separate destinations with the adaptive winter sports taking place in Whistler.

Two thousand volunteers had ensured the smooth running of the eight days of competition.

Organisers revealed they had served over 3,000 litres of hot chocolate and given away 72,000 meals to friends and family.

Prince Harry’s speech in full 

Oh Canada—You’ve only gone and done it again. Did we all have fun?

First, I want to extend a heartfelt thank you to the Invictus Games 2025 organizing committee for their sheer passion and hard work in making these extraordinary Games possible.

Thank you to the Invictus Games Foundation, all volunteers, officials, VPD, RCMP, performers and artists, and of course all Canadians, for making these games so special.

TEAM CANADA!!!! You’ve made your country proud.

Thank you for bringing your heart to the forefront of these Games and for showing us all how it’s done.

To the host First Nations, thank you for your partnership and your friendship over the past three years.

What your people have endured should never have happened.

You’ve shown us what it looks like to fight for the survival of something far greater—your land, your culture, your communities, and your light.

You show the world how to move forward. Armed with the truth in order to achieve reconciliation.

And for that, we are forever grateful. Chin-chin-Stwhy. 

To our Invictus wives, husbands, girlfriends, boyfriends, kids, grandparents and friends, please stand and be recognized – we salute you.

To our comrades, friends or loved ones who we lost to battle or to suicide, tonight we honor you too.

To those of you whose journey to these Games has been difficult and uncertain…who questioned whether you would even make it here today…thank you for showing us what is possible

In the pursuit of saving yourselves, you have also saved all of us. Those who love you and those who don’t even know you.

I’ve spent the past 11 days meeting children to grandparents from all over the world—from different beliefs, backgrounds and abilities.

I’ve seen how you’ve changed them. Being a hero, being a role model – It’s not just about resilience, skill or power.

It’s about integrity. Compassion. Courage. You give us hope through your healing, honesty and humanity, and of course through your humor!

Our entire Invictus community, whether here tonight or watching from home, is making the world a better place, and you’re doing it by being your awesome selves.

And here we are. More than a decade later. In a world still full of strife and trauma.

And as much as we wish these Games weren’t necessary, I understand why they are still needed, perhaps more than ever.

It’s because of the strength you give to the world. The power of your example. Your duty to one another.

You may swear allegiance to different flags, but you stand united in your decency, your compassion, and your spirit of service.

I can’t stand before you and promise there won’t be challenging times ahead.

But I promise you, you’re better equipped now than you were before.

You’ve reclaimed what was lost. Restored what was broken. Achieved the impossible. Remember what makes you tick.

Hold onto it. Rely on it. Use it for yourself and those around you, for service to one another will save us.

And while I never expected that we would still be here in 2025, from one soldier to another, I also promise you this:

So long as our brothers and sisters are striving to heal and grow, the Games will go on.

So long as there are those around the world who view you with sympathy, rather than admiration and respect, the Games will go on.

And so long as the challenges around us demand it and require it…the Games will go on.

Bring on Invictus Birmingham 2027. Merci Beaucoup, Canada! Je t’aime!

KINDLY CLICK HERE TO JOIN OUR WHATSAPP COMMUNITY FOR FREE, GET THE LATEST ON THE GO HERE