Among Harry’s biggest passions: the Invictus Games, which run from Sunday through Thursday at Walt Disney World in Orlando.
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Prince Harry conceived and has been the driving force behind the Games, writing in the official program to mark the opening ceremony in Orlando, “Thank you for supporting these servicemen and women, veterans and their families”.
The Invictus Games are the only global competition of its kind for injured veterans.
Champion swimmer Thorpe appeared at the reception along with world number one women’s golfer Lydia Ko from New Zealand. The two-hour event in Orlando, Florida, included performances by British singer James Blunt and soprano Laura Wright.
“It’s just we’re the lads, he’s a lad, we’re getting on with it. He’s a prince second to us”.
In his speech to the spectators, Harry said that although physical illness can be most visible, mental illness had also been a hard struggle for many competitors. Every single one of them will have confronted tremendous emotional and mental challenges.
“It’s not just men and women in uniform”.
“I’ve spoken to everybody who has severe Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder to minor depression, anxiety – whatever it might be”, he said.
Amid the celebrity star power, the spotlight shone on wounded former military members from 14 countries worldwide who as athletes are using sports to help with their rehabilitation, many after horrific injuries suffered in service to their countries.
Invictus Games is a Paralympic styled games for injured, wounded or sickly war veterans in a variety of events including wheelchair basketball, sitting volleyball, and indoor basketball.
“He is truly our Prince Charming isn’t he?” the first lady asked the audience amid laughter and cheers.
In a recent interview with PEOPLE magazine, Prince Harry explained that he himself is often plagued by “flashbacks”, though he admits that they “have not been that brutal”. “I saw the sacrifices you and your families made to serve your nations”. “My grandmom’s always been the boss, but my God, she gives awesome advice, and she lets us cruise around sort of doing what we think is right”.
The Obamas and Harry traded playful taunts on social media ahead of the games.
He said: “She started very punchy [on AIDS]. Why are you so quite?’ And I was like, ‘He wasn’t quiet, ‘” Obama said of the 2-year-old future king.
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But during his time serving in countries including Afghanistan, he realised the “extreme privileges of being a prince and the opportunity I have to help my military family”.
