Prince Harry told reporters that the monarch, who turns 96 this week, had “many messages” about the UK team and said it was “great to see her”.
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Prince Harry gives information to the Queen about the British team
Prince Harry spoke for the first time about his surprise visit to the Queen last week.
The Duke of Sussex, who met with the monarch at Windsor Castle at a secret stop before the Invictus Games in the Netherlands, said it was “great to see her”.
He said the queen, who turns 96 this week, had given some words of support to those in attendance – and said she would be happy to be there.
Harry told the BBC: “She had a lot of messages about the UK team that I have already passed on to most of them.
“So it was great to see her, and I’m sure she would be happy to be here if she could.”
The monarch said she herself would like to be in the Netherlands (
Image:
AFP via Getty Images)
Harry and his wife Megan spent Easter Sunday morning on the athletics track and were in the front row for sitting volleyball when the first full day of competition began in The Hague.
The couple watched the action next to Jaco Van Gass, a Paralympian gold medalist and former Invictus athlete who suffered life-threatening injuries in the British Army.
Mr Van Gass left his home in South Africa to pursue a military career 16 years ago, but was hit by a grenade in Afghanistan in 2009 while serving in the Parachute Regiment and lost his left arm at the elbow.
He met Harry in 2011, when the duke joined the record team of wounded soldiers, he was part of this transition without support to the North Pole.
The 35-year-old said it was “amazing” to see Harry and Megan, adding that it was “wonderful” to catch up with them and that they were “friendly as always”.
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He said Harry had told him he was having a “really, really good time”.
Mr Van Gass said: “In principle, Invictus is his family.
“There are so many celebrities he hasn’t seen in a while, and again to all nations, just to catch up with them again.
“He went back to his own people, back to an environment where he was so natural and cared about.
“I think that’s the most important thing – that great depth of care he shows for games.”
Harry, who had served in the British Army for a decade, was stripped of his honorary military roles after Megxit.
It was the army that offered him the first taste of life, far from the royal dynasty.
Harry and Megan meet athletes from the GB team of Invictus Games in the Netherlands (
Image:
Getty Images for Invictus Games Foundation)
He admitted, after serving in Afghanistan for the second time in 2012, that he was more comfortable being Captain Wales than Prince Harry.
“I’ve always been that way,” he said. “My father always tries to remind me who I am and things like that. But it’s very easy to forget who I am when I’m in the army.”
Mr Van Gass, meanwhile, said he also spoke briefly with Megan.
“She’s having a good time,” he said. “She’s in really good shape and she really enjoys all the events and she sees … it’s so inspiring.
“Even the people on the volleyball court at the moment see all sorts of different injuries and just seeing them are active, smiles on their faces, camaraderie, all the teams are very friendly with each other.”
Speaking again about Harry, Mr Van Gass said: “He is very down to earth, modest and just true to his word, he is a very nice person.
“It’s amazing to remember his profile and who he is and how calm you can be with him.”
Dave Hanson, Prince Harry, Duke of Sussex and Megan, Duchess of Sussex attend the athletics competition (
Image:
Getty Images for Invictus Ga)
Yesterday, the Duchess of Sussex publicly announced her love for her “amazing” husband Harry in front of thousands of people.
Introducing the duke at the opening ceremony of the Invictus Games in The Hague, the Netherlands, Megan said she “can’t love and respect him anymore”.
The two kissed when Harry arrived on stage, and he appeared emotional before his speech, saying, “Thank you, my love.”
Megan, dressed in a white top with open shoulders and dark pants, spoke for a few minutes before meeting Harry on stage in the hall, which seats up to 5,000 people.
She said: “It is a great honor for me to introduce someone whom I think you will all be very excited to hear.
“He also spent many late nights and early mornings planning these games to make them as perfect as possible for each of you.
“I could not love and respect him more, and I know that you all feel the same, because he is your fellow veteran who has served two times in Afghanistan and 10 years of military service.
“He is the founder of Invictus Games and the father of our two little ones, Archie and Lily. Please welcome to my amazing husband, Prince Harry, Duke of Sussex.”
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