Meghan Markle Arrives in Germany for Invictus Games
Meghan Markle, the Duchess of Sussex, arrived in Germany from Los Angeles to join her husband, Prince Harry, at the Invictus Games. The Duchess was seen in good spirits, wearing oversized sunglasses and a patterned scarf, as she arrived in Dusseldorf.
Transatlantic Journey and Upcoming Birthday
Meghan’s journey included an overnight flight from Los Angeles to London Heathrow and a connecting British Airways flight to Dusseldorf. This marked her first transatlantic trip since attending the Queen’s funeral in London in September. Her arrival in Germany coincided with Prince Harry’s upcoming 39th birthday.
Arrival at Hyatt Regency Hotel
Meghan arrived in Germany around 4 pm local time and was swiftly transported from a VIP terminal to the five-star Hyatt Regency hotel, where Prince Harry was expected to join her. Her bodyguard accompanied her during the journey. Meghan’s presence in Germany was kept low-key, with her arrival being discreet.
Private Reception for Competitors’ Families
The couple was scheduled to attend a reception for friends and families of competitors from the 21 countries participating in the Invictus Games. Although details of the private event were not disclosed, it was expected to be an informal gathering, with children also in attendance. The event brought together members of the UK Invictus family, including those who traveled together on an RAF flight from Birmingham.
Prince Harry’s Involvement in the Games
In Dusseldorf, Prince Harry attended a wheelchair basketball match between Team UK and Ukraine, engaging in animated conversation with former Royal Marine JJ Chalmers, who had previously participated in the Invictus Games in London in 2014. Chalmers had suffered serious injuries in a bomb blast in 2011.
Prince Harry also interacted with Beth Herlihy, a former ‘programme co-coordinator’ who worked with the Royal Foundation, the joint charitable vehicle for the Sussexes, Prince William, and Kate. After the Sussexes separated from the foundation in 2018, Herlihy remained with Harry and Meghan until their exit in 2020.
Warm Welcome in Germany
Prince Harry received a warm welcome in Germany, with attendees and competitors cheering for him. He actively participated in the games, presented medals to Team USA, and even engaged with children in the audience. The annual Invictus Games, founded by Prince Harry in 2014, feature wounded and disabled military veterans from various countries participating in sporting events.
Meghan’s Expected Role
Meghan Markle was expected to support Prince Harry and the athletes during various events and may address the crowd at the closing ceremony. Her absence from the initial part of the event was seen as an opportunity for Prince Harry to shine in his role.
Competitive Spirit
Prince Harry mentioned that Meghan would be cheering for Nigeria at this year’s games after discovering her Nigerian heritage. While they do not have favorites, the discovery added a competitive edge to their support for different teams.
Penalty Shootout on German TV
During his visit, Prince Harry participated in a penalty shootout on German TV but did not score a goal. The event featured Prince Harry alongside German Defense Minister Boris Pistorius and two Invictus Games athletes.