Meghan Markle takes centre stage! Duchess presents medals to Invictus winners as Prince Harry joins in to hug Ukrainian war hero

Meghan Markle took center stage on the final day of the Invictus Games as she presented medals to the swimming finalists – including one of the stars of the Netflix series about the participating military veterans.

While Prince Harry attended the ceremony, the couple gave a group hug to Ukrainian war hero Yulia Payevska.

She was one of the most popular athletes at the games among the crowds that attended the sporting events.

The paramedic was supposed to participate in the competitions in The Hague last year, but was captured by the Russians.

She was released after three months and found success in the pool this week where she won a silver medal.

Payevska has folk hero status in Ukraine and was responsible for smuggling statues during the 2022 siege of Mariupol, angering President Putin.

After her capture, she was used in propaganda videos filmed by the Russians urging her country to surrender.

Attempts at a prisoner exchange failed, but she was released after three months of captivity, with the conditions in which she was held described as inhumane.

She was unable to participate in the 2022 Invictus Games and her daughter took her place.

Due to injuries she sustained while on duty as a medic, she had both hips replaced and now walks with the aid of a crutch.

Among other medal winners at the games was father-of-two Richard, from Cardiff, who joined the Royal Air Force in 2009 at the age of 21 because he wanted to travel the world.

But in 2019, while stationed in Cyprus, he had an aircraft engine transport trailer wedged into the back of his foot, ultimately resulting in an amputation in 2021.

During those two years he could no longer walk and ‘life became very gray’.

“I felt quite miserable because I was unable to do the things I enjoyed and because I missed so many family outings because of the severe pain,” he said.

‘I still have daily challenges and I, along with my family, have had to adapt to my new life as an amputee.’

He said returning to sports, competing in swimming and archery this year, has made his life “colorful” and allows him to be “a father again.”

“I can’t wait to push myself and show others what I can do and to create a better understanding that losing a limb isn’t the end of the world,” he said.

‘I am incredibly proud to represent my country again. Once I joined the RAF, I wondered how and where I fit into society.’

At Saturday’s ceremony, Meghan dazzled in a Cuyana jacket and pants, paired with a white tank top and Lanvin earrings.

Harry was dressed casually in a white shirt and gray trousers.

The couple hugged all the medal winners after presenting the military veterans with their medals.

They were only on stage for a short time before leaving the stage in the Invictus village.

Veterans Minister Johnny Mercer also took part in the medal ceremony.

Harry and Meghan will both attend the closing ceremony tonight where Rita Ora will perform six of her hits.

Meghan will take a backseat as only Harry will give a speech in which he will greet participants and look forward to the 2025 Games in Canada.

Yesterday, Meghan Markle added her signature to a huge tribute wall full of names – choosing to place hers directly above a giant ‘Diana’ message.

The famous ‘M’ of the duchesses is located near where a fan has already written the name of the late Princess of Wales.

In the early days of her acting career, Meghan made extra money through calligraphy – this is evident in the glow used to write her swirly ‘M’ today.

The wall seems to be covered with colorful signatures, congratulations and encouragement from those present and participating in the competition.