Beaming Prince Harry puts his arm around Invictus Games athlete as she gifts him a sketch of himself wearing military dress and posing with Princess Diana
Prince Harry beamed with elation when he was presented with a drawing of himself and his late mother Princess Diana at the Invictus Games in Dusseldorf today.
The Duke of Sussex, 38, was given a pencil sketch by Canadian athlete Samantha Wilcox.
The drawing showed Diana in her famous ‘Elvis dress’ that she wore in Hong Kong in 1989.
Next to Diana was a photo of Harry, in his military dress, which seemed to be inspired by his wedding day.
The pair posed for a photo with fellow Team Canada athlete Patrick Gordon, who appeared topless in the photo. Harry opted for an open-collar shirt and a black blazer, while Samantha wore a Canadian shirt and added flags in her hair.
Prince Harry beamed with elation when he was presented with a drawing of himself with his late mother Princess Diana during the Invictus Games in Dusseldorf today
The Duke of Sussex, 39, received a pencil sketch of him and his mother Diana, Princess of Wales, from Canadian athlete Samantha Wilcox
Samantha, from Frankford, Ontario, competes in cycling, table tennis and sitting volleyball.
She served ten years in the army and one year in the air force, where she joined the Canadian Special Operations Forces Command, where she was injured.
‘My injuries made me feel inferior and unable to do the things I loved. I felt isolated and alone she said.
She then decided to sign up for the Invictus Games after watching her fellow veterans compete.
“Loving something means taking on whatever challenges come your way and in the end, no matter which route you take, you will ultimately succeed. Everything happens with a reason.’
It comes as Harry left two young boys delighted today after giving them each a high-five as he was escorted by bodyguards at the Invictus Games in Dusseldorf.
The Duke of Sussex was walked past a stand by his security team, including former US presidential bodyguard Chris Sanchez and ex-police officer Dave Langdown, when the two boys raised their hands for a high-five.
After Harry happily obliged, the children – one of whom was wearing a Union Jack – jumped up and down excitedly, with one of them raising his fist in celebration.
The drawing showed Diana in her famous ‘Elvis dress’ that she wore in Hong Kong in 1989 (pictured)
The duke was given a hero’s welcome in Germany by those present at the latest edition of the competition he founded for wounded and disabled military veterans.
He arrived at the event followed by dozens of excited schoolchildren who had been given time off from their studies to attend the event, and his head bodyguard, Mr Sanchez, led the way as the 38-year-old walked quickly to his seat in the stands.
Harry, who is fifth in line for the throne, also posed for photos with competitors and was in a boisterous mood today as he joined in the singing at the athletics event.
The Duke was cheered by the crowd as he and six members of his entourage took their seats in the stands of the Merkur Spiel-Arena.
This year’s competition runs until September 16. Harry says he will watch as much of the action as possible during the Games.
A total of 550 sick, injured and wounded former and current military personnel from 21 countries participate in ten team and individual sports.
The Duke of Sussex, 38, claimed in his explosive memoir Spare, which was officially published on Tuesday, that Prince William, 40, would spend the night with him and his friends at the Coworth Park Hotel on the eve of his wedding to Meghan Markle. May 19, 2018. In the photo: the brothers on Harry’s wedding day
Team UK, led by Royal Navy submarine officer Lieutenant Commander James Rogers, is supported by the Royal British Legion in partnership with the Ministry of Defense.
Harry revealed at the opening ceremony on Saturday that Meghan will cheer on Nigeria at this year’s Games after discovering she is of Nigerian descent.
The Duke said that while the Sussexes are not ‘playing favourites’, the discovery means things are likely to become ‘a little more competitive’ between the pair.
“We are also very excited to have new nations joining us,” the Duke told the packed arena. “Let’s hear it for Colombia, Israel and Nigeria.”
“Now I’m not saying we’re playing favorites at home… but since my wife discovered she’s of Nigerian descent, it’s probably going to be a little more competitive this year,” he added.