Meghan Markle reveals why she was late to Prince Harry's Invictus Games as couple reunite on stage for glitzy bash

MEGHAN Markle revealed why she was late to the Invictus Games when she reunited with Prince Harry at the glitzy party.

The Duchess of Sussex, 42, joined Harry at a reception for 1,600 athletes and their friends and family in Dusseldorf, Germany.

Meghan Markle and Prince Harry at the Invictus Games event

Meghan landed in Dusseldorf this afternoon to be with her husband

Meghan thanked her friends, family and competitors

Meg – wearing a black Banana Republic dress – landed in the city two and a half hours early after flying in from Los Angeles.

She then went on stage and apologized to the guests for being “a little late to the party”.

The Duchess explained that she had to make milkshakes and “settle down” her children Archie, four, and daughter Lilibet, two, before she could fly out of LA.

Holding the microphone, she said: “Hi everyone. It’s so special to be here and I’m sorry I’m a little late to the party.

“Like many of you, you know it’s about family and friends and the community that Invictus and Fisher House have created, so I’ve had to spend a little more time getting the little ones at home

“Three milkshakes and a trip to school and I landed a few hours ago and I’m thrilled that the first event I can organize for Invictus is here with you all.”

She added: “We can’t wait to take our kids one day so they can experience how amazing this is.”

Harry didn’t seem to want to speak and Meghan said, “Tonight my husband is of few words, would you like to say something?”

The Duke in the suit took the microphone and said, “You don’t need to hear from me anymore.”

The Duchess – who has not been seen at a public event with Harry since their “near-disastrous car chase” in New York in May – also wore a Bottega Veneta belt she bought in a vintage store and shoes from Aquazarra.

To top off her outfit, Meg wore colorful beads that were given to her by a guest at the reception.

Sources close to Meghan say she got ready in less than an hour after being driven to Harry’s Hyatt Regency hotel.

She traveled without a stylist and did her own hair and makeup, sources said.

Harry, Meghan and guests were invited to an evening full of music, entertainment and traditional German food.

Meghan did not attend the opening ceremony on Saturday when Harry took to the stage to declare “Ich bin ein Dusseldorfer”.

Tonight, Meghan took to the stage with Harry standing beside her, arms folded and grinning as the duchess gave a two-minute speech to guests.

The event, hosted by Ken Fisher – Chairman and CEO, and Dave Coker, Chairman of the Fisher House Foundation – was held at the conference center inside Dusseldorf Airport.

Harry and Meghan left after about an hour.

Meghan posed with guests at the eventCredit: Getty

The Sussexes met friends and family members of the Invictus Games competitors Credit: Getty

The couple hugged guests as they made their way Credit: Getty

The couple sparkled on stage Credit: Getty

Their children, Archie, four, and Lilibet, two, remain in the US.

Meghan was earlier seen at LAX in baggy trousers, a v-neck jumper and Valentino lounges – on her first trip across the Atlantic since attending the late Queen Elizabeth II’s funeral a year ago.

While Meg was mid-flight, Harry was waving his arms in the air and singing along to Sweet Caroline while watching wheelchair basketball.

Meghan landed in Dusseldorf this evening and was photographed after being whisked away from the VIP area of the airport at around 4pm local time.

She was reunited with Harry after spending almost a week apart as he had earlier flown to the UK for a WellChild benefit party and vigil at the final resting place of his grandmother, Queen Elizabeth.

Harry – who wore a black Invictus Games T-shirt – earlier sat with friend and BBC presenter JJ Chambers, 36, who appeared on Strictly 2020.

Chalmers suffered serious injuries during a bomb blast in 2011 while in the Royal Marines and based in Helmand, losing two fingers and disintegrating his right elbow.

The couple joined the dancing crowd and Harry greeted fans and contestants who asked for photos.

A source said: “The Duchess is excited to reunite with the Invictus community and spend time meeting the new competitors, teams and their families.

“He’s probably most looking forward to his time with the Invictus kids.”

It comes after German media reported that the Duchess would give a “very emotional” final speech during the farewell ceremony.

The Invictus Games, for disabled military veterans, include a variety of different sports and challenges and will last for a week.

Meghan’s sister-in-law Princess Kate was busy with royal engagements today – visiting inmates in prison struggling with addiction.

Kate donned a navy suit for a tour of HMP High Down in Surrey – but caught the eye of many with skin-coloured patches wrapped around her toes.

The Princess of Wales looked in good spirits as she made her way to the prison, supporting inmates as patron of The Forward Trust ahead of Addictions Week.

Meanwhile, Harry looked happy as he arrived at the TRA/Rehabilitation Expo earlier today.

The prince appeared to be in an excited mood as he relived every emotion from the sidelines watching the wheelchair basketball competitors.

The Duke of Sussex, 38, was previously seen cheering on the contestants from the stands yesterday.

The royal family is due to stay in the presidential suite of the waterfront hotel where they will celebrate Harry’s 39th birthday on Friday.

When opening the event, Prince Harry compared himself to JFK and got to grips with the German language.

Harry was then cheered on by the crowd as he took his place in the stands at Dusseldorf’s Merkur Spiel-Arena, joined by around six members of his entourage.

As the competitors raced in the 200m event, the royal could be seen holding his mouth with his hands and cheering them on.

He sat next to Yulia Laputina, Ukraine’s minister of veterans who wore a military uniform and had a Ukrainian flag draped over her shoulder.

Since the final games in The Hague, Netherlands, in 2022, Harry has published his comprehensive memoir Spa and a six-part Netflix series and attended the funeral of Queen Elizabeth II and the coronation of his father, King Charles.

This year, the competition will last until September 16.