Happy birthday, Prince Harry!
The Duke of Sussex celebrated his 39th birthday on Friday during his trip to Germany for the sixth edition of the Invictus Games with wife Meghan Markle by his side. To mark the special occasion, competitors and spectators at the sitting volleyball match between Poland and Germany sang the song “Happy Birthday” to Harry.
Prince Harry clearly enjoyed the crowd’s warm welcome, giving him a thumbs up as Meghan, 42, smiled at him.
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Prince Harry and Meghan Markle at the Invictus Games sitting volleyball match between Poland and Germany.
Chris Jackson/Getty Images
The pair — who have been watching various adaptive sports competitions in recent days — were animated as they watched the sitting volleyball action at Düsseldorf’s Merkur Spiel-Arena. Prince Harry, who served in the British Army for 10 years, created it in 2014 for injured, sick and wounded soldiers and veterans.
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Prince Harry and Meghan Markle enjoy a game of sitting volleyball on Friday.
Jordan Pettitt/PA Images via Getty Images
On the morning of his birthday, the Invictus Games organizers also sent Prince Harry some online wishes — along with a fun picture on social media.
They wrote: “From all of us in @InvictusGamesDEsincere HAPPY BIRTHDAY founder and patron @WeAreInvictus, Prince Harry, Duke of Sussex. You have given hope, inspired millions and never cease to put a smile on people’s faces.”
Harry’s birthday celebrations began on Thursday night when he and Meghan headed to the Brauerei Schumacher restaurant with some of their staff. They enjoyed Weiner Schnitzel, blood sausage and German sausages, the restaurant said in an Instagram post, calling the birthday group “very nice people.”
The Duke and Duchess of Sussex also took photos with some people from the restaurant.
Prince Harry’s birthday celebration is much different than last year. The Duke of Sussex turned 38 just a week after the death of his grandmother Queen Elizabeth. Harry and Meghan were in the United Kingdom at the time, attending related funeral events leading up to the monarch’s state funeral and service on September 19.
It was the second time in Harry’s life that his birthday was close to the funeral of a beloved family member. His mother, Princess Diana, died on August 31, 1997, and her funeral was held a week later – nine days before Harry’s 13th birthday.
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Meghan Markle and Prince Harry at the Invictus Games on September 15, 2023.
SplashNews
During a busy and exciting week at the Invictus Games, for competitors and fans alike, the Duke and Duchess of Sussex caught up with as many of those taking part in the Invictus Games as possible. US Air Force veteran Chief Master Sgt. Garrett Kuwada (who competes in wheelchair rugby, swimming and track and field) told PEOPLE that Harry playfully “grabbed my chin and shook it!”
“That was great,” he added. “He’s a veteran, and like all vets, when we get together, we talk and laugh and joke and tease each other. He’s like one of the guys, it’s been an amazing experience.”
“Makes you feel like you’ve known him forever.”
Meghan Markle and Prince Harry hold hands as they head out for another day of competition at the Invictus Games
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Prince Harry attends the Invictus Games on September 15, 2023.
Lukas Schulze/Getty Images
On Wednesday, Prince Harry was pictured hugging a member of the US team after a wheelchair basketball game, while Meghan, 42 – who was recently dubbed “Amira Ngozi Lolo” by Nigeria’s team – which in part means “royal wife” – was seen placing a medal around teammate’s door. (Team USA defeated France 29-15 in the final.)
That same morning, they met some competitors in the Ukraine-Australia wheelchair basketball competition before taking their seats in the stands — and joining the rest of the crowd in a celebratory group wave.
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Prince Harry and Meghan Markle at the sitting volleyball in the Merkur Spiel-Arena.
Jordan Pettitt/PA Images via Getty Images
Meghan Markle waves Nigerian flag at Invictus Games: Here’s why
The couple also spent time with the Nigerian team, which Harry said Meghan supported in his opening speech on Saturday.
“I’m not saying we play favorites in our home, but since my wife discovered she’s of Nigerian descent, she’ll probably get little a little more competitive this year,” he joked, mentioning how Meghan revealed she is 43% Nigerian thanks to a genealogy test, which she revealed in October 2022.
The Düsseldorf event is the sixth Invictus Games, following previous events in London, Orlando, Sydney, The Hague and Toronto — where Meghan and Harry made their first public appearance as a couple in 2017.
Categories: Trends
Source: HIS Education