Prince Harry Makes First Outing of Invictus Games Düsseldorf After Visiting Queen Elizabeth's Burial Site

The Duke of Sussex is in Germany for the duration of the event — including his 39th birthday next week!

Prince Harry’s Invictus Games have arrived.

The Duke of Sussex, 38, stepped out in Düsseldorf, Germany on Saturday as he kicked off the sixth leg of the event. Harry, who served in the British Army, devised the Paralympic-style competition for veterans and staff, with the first event held in 2014.

After arriving in Düsseldorf on Friday, he was spotted meeting with athletes and volunteers ahead of Saturday’s opening ceremony. Prince Harry, in a black polo shirt with the Invictus Games logo, posed for group photo with volunteer categorizers, which was shared on the Invictus Games X page (formerly Twitter).

“The Duke of Sussex dropped by this morning to meet our international group of volunteer categorizers!” the recording was titled. “This group, led by @weareinvictusconducts all evaluations of competitors on #InvictusGames to allow for fair competition in recovery.”

Johnny Ball, founder of CampaignForce, also shared a a candid photo of Prince Harry on social networks.

“With the main man himself,” Ball wrote. “Without this guy, our relationship with the way we view our veterans would be even worse. Thank you for giving us the Invictus Games. Thank you for helping me find myself again. Thank you.”

Prince Harry at the Invictus Games on September 9, 2023.

Chris Jackson/Getty

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Later, Prince Harry arrived at a reception for the host city of the Invictus Games at Dusseldorf City Hall. Dressed in a navy blue suit, the Duke of Sussex smiled and waved to the crowd that had gathered at the venue. Also present was the mayor of Dusseldorf, Stephan Keller, who accompanied Prince Harry as he entered the building for the reception.

During the Invictus Games, more than 500 athletes from 21 countries will compete in 10 sports.

The opening ceremony scheduled for Saturday includes a performance by Macklemore alongside Prince Harry, who will give a speech on stage.

Prince Harry, Duke of Sussex and Stephen Keller, Mayor of Dusseldorf.

Chris Jackson/Getty for the Invictus Games Foundation

Prince Harry will stay in Germany for the duration of the Invictus Games — including his 39th birthday on Friday!

Although she is traveling solo, Meghan Markle is expected to join her husband in Europe soon. Last month, a spokesman for the Duke and Duchess of Sussex confirmed that Meghan, 42, would attend.

“The Duke and Duchess of Sussex are delighted to attend the 2023 Invictus Games in Düsseldorf. The Duke will be in attendance throughout the games and will be joined by the Duchess shortly after the games begin,” the spokesperson said in a statement shared with PEOPLE.

The closing ceremony is scheduled for Saturday, September 16, and Rita Ora will perform.

Meghan Markle and Prince Harry at the 2022 Invictus Games.

Samir Hussein/WireImage

Last month, Prince Harry appeared in a video message to celebrate the approaching Games.

“I hope you’re excited,” he said. “I’m probably a bit nervous – I am both. But I can’t wait to see you all and get the whole community together again – it’s been too long.”

Noting that some competitors will be attending the Games for the first time, while others may be returning, Harry said: “Either way, there will be excitement, but also nervousness, and I’m sure some of you have been waiting for this moment for a very long time.”

“You’re all at different parts of your healing journey — we all are, always will be — but I can assure you that this experience will hopefully be life-changing and you’ll definitely come out of it a better person,” he said.

Prince Harry has invited Israel, Nigeria and Colombia to join this year.

“I can’t wait for all the continents to be represented – except Antarctica. We’re still working on that,” he joked with a smile.

Prince Harry honors Prince Archie and Princess Lili (and his dogs!) at the WellChild Awards in the UK

Prince Harry at the 2022 Invictus Games. Chris Jackson/Getty

Last September, Prince Harry was joined by Meghan in Düsseldorf for the Invictus Games One Year to Go event. After walking the red carpet hand-in-hand and greeting local officials, the couple chatted with well-wishers gathered outside City Hall — including taking a few selfies!

Düsseldorf was first announced as the future host city for the Invictus Games — Harry’s international adapted sports competition for injured, sick and wounded servicemen and veterans — in 2020, and the event was originally scheduled for 2022. However, when the coronavirus pandemic postponed Invictus 2020. Games in The Hague, Netherlands until 2022, preparations for Düsseldorf have also been postponed.

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Prince Harry at the 2018 Invictus Games.

Karwai Tang/WireImage

Prince Harry, who lives in California with Meghan and their children, traveled to the UK earlier this week. On Thursday, he attended the WellChild Awards in London, and on Friday, the first anniversary of his grandmother Queen Elizabeth’s death, he was seen at Windsor Castle visiting her burial site.

At Thursday’s event, Prince Harry took to the stage to present Violet Seymour with the Inspirational Child Award (ages 4 to 6) and gave a speech in which he spoke about his grandmother.

“As you know, I was unable to attend the awards last year because my grandmother passed away,” he said. “As you also probably know, she would be the first person to insist that I come be with you all instead of going to her. And that’s exactly why I know, exactly one year later, she’s looking down on all of us tonight, happy We are proud to continue to highlight such an amazing community together.”

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Source: HIS Education