Ex-US presidential bodyguard protects Prince Harry as royal flights fly to Germany for the opening of Invictus Games
Former US presidential bodyguard Chris Sanchez once again puts himself in the line of fire to protect Prince Harry in Germany.
The former Secret Service agent arrived with Harry on a British Airways flight from London and sat in the front seat of a car that rushed him to his luxury hotel in Dusseldorf.
He was photographed next to Harry as they left the airport after being escorted off the BA plane to a waiting car.
Since leaving royal life, Texas-born Sanchez has been Harry and Meghan’s main bodyguard, accompanying them on all their trips abroad and the US.
He works at his Houston-based private security company Touchstone Global, providing strong protection for corporate executives and other VIPs.
Chris Sanchez – dressed in the white shirt and black suit – accompanies Harry and Meghan on their trip to Dusseldorf for this year’s Invictus Games
Sanchez – with his hand on the car door – is an ex-US Secret Service agent, seen here protecting Barack Obama in Moneygall, Ireland, in 2011
Mr Sanchez previously revealed he was inspired to become a bodyguard after watching the Clint Eastwood film In The Line Of Fire (pictured)
Sanchez spent five years in the U.S. Secret Service, spending two and a half years each with Barack Obama and George W. Bush
He is now the main bodyguard of Harry and Meghan, who he first saw during the Invictus Games in The Hague in 2022, after ‘Megxit’.
The powerfully built bodyguard has previously revealed he was inspired to join the Secret Service after watching the Clint Eastwood film ‘In the Line of Fire’.
In an interview, he said, “I was enamored with the whole mantra of the Secret Service and the mystique of the Secret Service.”
During a 14-year career, he became part of the protection department of Presidents George W. Bush and Barack Obama.
Sanchez was first spotted with the couple when they attended the Invictus Games in The Hague last year, their first overseas trip together since ‘Megxit’, when they opted to leave their royal duties for a lifetime in California.
The burly ex-cop usually followed Meghan as she walked around the venue.
He was always one step behind the Duke and Duchess of Sussex and gave orders to other members of the security service who accompanied the couple.
Sanchez was also at the couple’s side when they were involved in what their spokesperson called a “near-catastrophic chase” during a visit to New York in May.
The couple’s spokesperson claimed that a chase by paparazzi photographers as they left the Ziegfield Theater in New York City had endangered the lives of others and said they were involved in a “brutal” high-speed chase through the streets of Manhattan.
Sussex’s version of events was questioned by police, who simply said their journey back to their private accommodation had been ‘challenging’, but said no arrests had been made.
A US-based photo agency denied that their staff had caused any problems for the couple.
Mr Sanchez watches as Harry and Meghan are greeted by a fan with a hug
The Duchess of Sussex, wearing a pinstripe jacket, was overshadowed by Mr Sanchez last year
Prince Harry – in the back passenger seat of the Range Rover – arrives at his hotel in Düsseldorf on Friday
A visible police presence has been established in the vicinity of the Hyatt Regency hotel – the main building on the right – for the Prince’s arrival
Sanchez will accompany the Prince when he makes his first official appearance at the Invictus Games later today.
He will meet the mayor of Düsseldorf at the city’s town hall and sign a Golden Book reserved for VIP visitors.
Harry will later travel three miles to the Merkur Spiel-Arena, where he will formally open the Games in the presence of the 500 participants, friends and family.
Harry will speak for seven minutes while greeting athletes from 21 countries.
The biggest cheers of the night will likely be for the Ukrainian team, with organizers saying they expect ‘goosebumps’ as they enter.
Grammy award-winning rapper Macklemore will perform at the end of the ceremony, which will also feature speeches from German Chancellor Olaf Scholz and Düsseldorf Mayor Dr. Stephan Keller.
More than 100,000 visitors are expected to attend the weeklong matches, which will include injured and disabled military veterans as well as serving personnel.
Harry will later take part in the German version of ‘Match of the Day’, where he will talk to the show’s presenters about the Invictus Games.