Related Articles
Meghan Markle has stolen the limelight at Prince Harry’s Invictus Games in Dusseldorf today as she cuddled up to some furry friends, sung Sweet Caroline and shared a joke with her royal husband.
Crowds leapt to their feet to cheer and applaud the Duchess of Sussex who seemed taken aback by the rapturous welcome and took her seat in the Merkur Spiel-Arena.
Dressed casually in J Crew sweater and shorts and Chanel flat pumps, the 42-year-old mother-of-two beamed with delight and waved to the crowd and punched her hands in the air, hugging supporters of the Australian team seated in her row.
Harry, who has been happily posing for dozens of selfies with fans, took a back seat this morning as most people in the crowd wanted to be photographed with Meghan.
Following her impromptu speech at an Invictus Games party for 1,600 people where she apologised for her late arrival at the competition yesterday, a buzz of excitement had gone around the games today that she would be making her debut appearance.
Also today, Harry was gifted a pair of ‘budgie smugglers’ by the Australian team, who handed over the item after he watched them compete in the wheelchair rugby.
Meghan applauds the competitors during the Swimming Finals at Rheinbad
Prince Harry and Meghan Markle cheer as the swimming finals are underway today
Meghan Markle cuddles a cute pup at Prince Harry’s Invictus Games in Germany today
The Duchess of Sussex gives Buddy the mascot a high five during the Swimming Finals at Rheinbad on day four of the Invictus Games
Meghan Markle has stolen the limelight at Prince Harry ‘s Invictus Games in Dusseldorf today
Meghan and Harry cheer as they attend a attend wheelchair basketball competition
Meghan appears to be laughing and smiling as she speaks to Harry at the Invictus Games
Meghan arrives to watch the swimming competition at Harry’s Invictus Games today
Harry and Meghan are seen at the Invictus Games today
Prince Harry and Meghan Duchess of Sussex watch the swimming Invictus Games
Harry and Meghan appear to be deep in conversation as they watch the swimming competition today
Harry and Meghan arrive to the swimming competition on a golf cart
Prince Harry and Meghan Duchess of Sussex arrive to watch the swimming today
The team were keeping up a tradition of handing Harry a tight fitting pair of trunks at each of the games. The Duke will be visiting the swimming competition later today.
More than 2,000 schoolchildren were invited to the fourth day and had been talking excitedly about Meghan. The couple – whose two young children are back home in Montecito, California – watched a wheelchair match between Australia and Ukraine.
Meanwhile Harry’s brother Prince William continued with his charity work today in London, visiting a building site to discuss the mental health of construction workers.
His sister-in-law Kate has also been carrying out royal visits this week, going to HMP High Down in Surrey yesterday to learn more about the work of an addiction charity.
Later today, Harry’s father King Charles III will visit Tomintoul in the Cairngorms where he will be welcomed by primary school children and community stalwarts.
In Germany, Harry and Meghan were swamped by fans who wanted to have their photo taken with the them when the wheelchair basketball match ended.
Meghan bonded with Australian competitor Laura Reynell, 28, from New South Wales, who sat next to her as they talked about her beanie hat.
She said: ‘Meghan thought it was funny I was wearing the beanie and asked if I was cold. I told her I’m from Oz and always cold.’
Ms Reynell added that Meghan spoke about her two young children behind in California.
She said: ‘She was so nice and was talking about her kids. She said the kids are excited about Invictus but they are a bit too young to understand.’
The Duke and Duchess of Sussex arrive at the Merkur Spiel-Arena in Dusseldorf this morning
Prince Harry and Meghan Markle wave their hands at the wheelchair basketball match today
Prince Harry is gifted a pair of ‘budgie smugglers’ by the Australian team today
Prince Harry wears sunglasses as poses with an athlete at the Invictus Games today
The Duke and Duchess meet with athletes from Nigeria at the wheelchair basketball today
The Duke and Duchess of Sussex arrive at the Merkur Spiel-Arena in Dusseldorf this morning
Prince Harry and Meghan Markle wave their hands at the wheelchair basketball match today
Prince Harry and Meghan Markle talk with Annika Hutsler of the USA at the games today
The Duchess of Sussex watches wheelchair basketball at the Merkur Spiel-Arena today
Prince Harry and Meghan Markle wave their hands at the wheelchair basketball match today
Prince Harry meets an excited young boy at the Invictus Games in Dusseldorf today
Prince Harry and Meghan watch on as children get involved in the games in Dusseldorf today
Meghan Markle waves her hands at the wheelchair basketball match in Dusseldorf today
The Duchess of Sussex poses for selfies at the Invictus Games at the Merkur Spiel-Arena today
The Duke and Duchess pose for a photo with children at the Merkur Spiel-Arena today
Prince Harry and Meghan Markle talk with Annika Hutsler of the USA at the games today
The Duchess of Sussex meets children at the Invictus Games at the Merkur Spiel-Arena today
The Duke and Duchess of Sussex and smile at the Merkur Spiel-Arena in Dusseldorf today
The Duke and Duchess pose for a photo with children at the Merkur Spiel-Arena today
The Duchess of Sussex smiles during the Invictus Games at the Merkur Spiel-Arena today
The Duchess of Sussex meets a child at the Invictus Games at the Merkur Spiel-Arena today
The Duke and Duchess of Sussex watch wheelchair basketball at the Merkur Spiel-Arena today
The Duchess of Sussex smiles during the Invictus Games at the Merkur Spiel-Arena today
Prince Harry and Meghan Markle talk with Annika Hutsler of the USA at the games today
Reynell has been competing in the power lifting, archery and rowing. Harry was in animated conversation with Tavis Watt, 49, a psychologist for the Australian team.
After watching the match, Harry and Meghan joined in with a children’s relay race.
It was Sussex v Sussex as they chose opposing teams for the race around the basketball court.
Harry encouraged his team to win the sprint race, urging on the young competitors who are attending the games to cheer on family and friends.
Meghan clapped her hands enthusiastically as her group of youngsters raced.
The Duke and Duchess of Sussex at the wheelchair basketball preliminary match this morning
The Duchess of Sussex smiles during the Invictus Games at the Merkur Spiel-Arena today
The Duke and Duchess pose for a photo with children at the Merkur Spiel-Arena today
Prince Harry and Meghan Markle pose with Annika Hutsler of the USA at the games today
Prince Harry and Meghan Markle meet those gathered for the Invictus Games today
The Duke of Sussex smiles during the Invictus Games at the Merkur Spiel-Arena today
The Duke and Duchess of Sussex at the wheelchair basketball preliminary match this morning
Prince Harry and Meghan watch on as children get involved in the games in Dusseldorf today
The Duke and Duchess of Sussex watch wheelchair basketball at the Merkur Spiel-Arena today
Meghan Markle hugs Annika Hutsler of the USA at the games in Dusseldorf today
The Duchess of Sussex smiles during the Invictus Games at the Merkur Spiel-Arena today
The Duke and Duchess of Sussex during the Invictus Games at the Merkur Spiel-Arena today
The Duke and Duchess pose for a photo with children at the Merkur Spiel-Arena today
The Duke and Duchess of Sussex at the Invictus Games in Dusseldorf this morning
The Duke and Duchess meet children at the Invictus Games at the Merkur Spiel-Arena today
The Duke and Duchess of Sussex at the wheelchair basketball preliminary match this morning
The Duchess of Sussex hands out medals to children on the basketball court this morning
Prince Harry and Meghan Markle wave their hands at the wheelchair basketball match today
Prince Harry and Meghan Markle watch the wheelchair basketball match today
The Duchess of Sussex smiles during the Invictus Games at the Merkur Spiel-Arena today
The Duke and Duchess meet children at the Invictus Games at the Merkur Spiel-Arena today
The Duke and Duchess smile during the Invictus Games at the Merkur Spiel-Arena today
The Duke and Duchess of Sussex at the wheelchair basketball preliminary match this morning
The Duke and Duchess pose for a photo with children at the Merkur Spiel-Arena today
The Duke of Sussex watches children on the basketball court at the Merkur Spiel-Arena today
The couple presented medals to all those taking part as Queen’s ‘We Are The Champions’ blasted out in the arena.
Earlier, Meghan lived up to her rock star welcome by walking over a group of fans who had been chanting her name.
As they squealed with excitement, she reached out to high five the group and pose for selfies.
Harry and Meghan then walked hand in hand across the court – and the Duke later had out a guiding hand on his wife’s back.
Before posing for a team photo with all the children, Harry picked up a cone and handed it to a spectator so it would not spoil the shot for dozens of photographers.
Prince Harry and Meghan Markle wave their hands at the wheelchair basketball match today
The Duke and Duchess meet children at the Invictus Games at the Merkur Spiel-Arena today
Prince Harry and Meghan Markle clap as they watch children at the Invictus Games today
The Duke of Sussex watches children on the basketball court at the Merkur Spiel-Arena today
The Duchess of Sussex smiles during the Invictus Games at the Merkur Spiel-Arena today
The Duke and Duchess pose for a photo with children at the Merkur Spiel-Arena today
Prince Harry watches on as children play at the Invictus Games in Dusseldorf this morning
The Duke and Duchess of Sussex at the wheelchair basketball preliminary match this morning
The Duke and Duchess meet children at the Invictus Games at the Merkur Spiel-Arena today
Prince Harry and Meghan watch on as children get involved in the games in Dusseldorf today
The Duke and Duchess of Sussex at the wheelchair basketball preliminary match this morning
The Duke of Sussex meets children at the Invictus Games at the Merkur Spiel-Arena today
The Duke and Duchess of Sussex watching children on the basketball court today
The Duchess of Sussex smiles during the Invictus Games at the Merkur Spiel-Arena today
Prince Harry meets a group of children at the Invictus Games in Dusseldorf this morning
The Duchess of Sussex applauds during the Invictus Games at the Merkur Spiel-Arena today
The Duke of Sussex meets children at the Invictus Games at the Merkur Spiel-Arena today
The Duke and Duchess of Sussex watch wheelchair basketball at the Merkur Spiel-Arena today
The Duchess of Sussex smiles during the Invictus Games at the Merkur Spiel-Arena today
The Duke of Sussex meets children at the Invictus Games at the Merkur Spiel-Arena today
The Duke and Duchess of Sussex arrive at the Merkur Spiel-Arena in Dusseldorf this morning
Prince Harry and Meghan Markle watch the wheelchair basketball in Dusseldorf today
The Duke and Duchess of Sussex arrive at the Merkur Spiel-Arena in Dusseldorf this morning
Prince Harry and Meghan Markle wave their hands at the wheelchair basketball match today
The Duke and Duchess of Sussex arrive at the Merkur Spiel-Arena in Dusseldorf this morning
Prince Harry and Meghan Markle watch the wheelchair basketball in Dusseldorf today
Prince Harry and Meghan Markle wave their hands at the wheelchair basketball match today
The Duke and Duchess of Sussex arrive at the Merkur Spiel-Arena in Dusseldorf this morning
Prince Harry and Meghan Markle pose for a selfie at the wheelchair basketball match today
A selfie of Prince Harry and Meghan Markle at the wheelchair basketball match today
Prince Harry and Meghan Markle watch the wheelchair basketball in Dusseldorf today
The Duke and Duchess of Sussex arrive at the Merkur Spiel-Arena in Dusseldorf this morning
Prince Harry and Meghan Markle watch the wheelchair basketball in Dusseldorf today
The wheelchair basketball match between Ukraine and Australia at the Invictus Games today
Meghan Markle smiles while watching the wheelchair basketball at the Invictus Games today
Prince Harry and Meghan Markle watch the wheelchair basketball in Dusseldorf today
The pair repeatedly posed for selfies with family and friends of the children taking part in the race.
Meanwhile, Meghan was given an honorary name when she had a meeting with the Chief of Defence for Nigeria.
With Harry revealing his wife was of 43 per cent Nigerian descent in his opening ceremony speech, she was introduced half a dozen members of the team and the defence chief.
In a tradition, the group gave her a name she could use if she ever visits the country. They called her Amira Ngozi Lolo.
The Duchess of Sussex poses for selfies at the Invictus Games at the Merkur Spiel-Arena today
The Duchess of Sussex meets with athletes from Nigeria at the wheelchair basketball today
The Duchess of Sussex meets a child at the Invictus Games at the Merkur Spiel-Arena today
The Duchess of Sussex meets with athletes from Nigeria at the wheelchair basketball today
The Duchess of Sussex meets fans at the Invictus Games at the Merkur Spiel-Arena today
The Duke of Sussex meets a child at the Invictus Games at the Merkur Spiel-Arena today
The Duke and Duchess pose for a photo with athletes at the Merkur Spiel-Arena today
The Duchess of Sussex poses for selfies at the Invictus Games at the Merkur Spiel-Arena today
The Duke and Duchess pose for a photo with athletes at the Merkur Spiel-Arena today
The Duke and Duchess pose for a photo with those attending the Merkur Spiel-Arena today
The Duchess of Sussex smiles during the Invictus Games at the Merkur Spiel-Arena today
The Duchess of Sussex watches the Invictus Games at the Merkur Spiel-Arena today
The Duke and Duchess pose for a photo at the Merkur Spiel-Arena during the games today
The Duchess of Sussex smiles during the Invictus Games at the Merkur Spiel-Arena today
The Duke of Sussex poses for a photo with children at the Merkur Spiel-Arena today
The Duchess of Sussex watches the wheelchair basketball preliminary match this morning
The Duke and Duchess pose for a photo with children at the Merkur Spiel-Arena today
The Duchess was told Amira means warrior Princess, Ngozi means blessed and Lolo a loyal wife.
Organisers said Harry was hoping to pop across to a neighbouring court later today where Team UK were playing Canada.
Harry and Meghan have a packed schedule and will be watching a swimming event and wheelchair rugby later in the day.
The Duke launched this year’s sporting competition for wounded military personnel and veterans on Saturday night.
He and Meghan were reunited in Germany last night after she flew in from Los Angeles, with a stopover in London Heathrow.
Prince Harry and Meghan Markle greet a member of the crowd in Dusseldorf this morning
Prince Harry and Meghan Markle watch the wheelchair basketball in Dusseldorf today
Meghan Markle smiles upon her arrival to watch the wheelchair basketball this morning
Prince Harry and Meghan Markle watch the wheelchair basketball in Dusseldorf today
Prince Harry and Meghan Markle watch the wheelchair basketball in Dusseldorf today
The Duchess of Sussex watches the wheelchair basketball at the Invictus Games today
The Duke and Duchess of Sussex arrive at the Merkur Spiel-Arena in Dusseldorf this morning
Prince Harry and Meghan Markle watch the wheelchair basketball in Dusseldorf today
The Duke and Duchess of Sussex arrive at the Merkur Spiel-Arena in Dusseldorf this morning
Prince Harry and Meghan Markle greet a member of the crowd in Dusseldorf this morning
The Duke and Duchess of Sussex arrive at the Merkur Spiel-Arena in Dusseldorf this morning
Prince Harry and Meghan Markle wave their hands at the wheelchair basketball match today
The Duke and Duchess of Sussex arrive at the Merkur Spiel-Arena in Dusseldorf this morning
Meghan, 42, claimed ‘milkshakes and a school drop-off’ had delayed her arrival to Dusseldorf.
The Sussexes were last seen together at a Beyonce concert in California on September 1.
Meghan apologised for being late yesterday and explained she was spending time with their children, Prince Archie, four, and Princess Lilibet, two, at the couple’s Montecito mansion before jetting off.
She told the audience: ‘It is so special to be here and I am sorry I was a little late for the party… [I] had to spend a little bit more time getting our little ones settled at home – three milkshakes and a school drop-off.
Prince Harry and Meghan Markle greet a member of the crowd in Dusseldorf this morning
The Duke and Duchess of Sussex arrive at the Merkur Spiel-Arena in Dusseldorf this morning
Prince Harry and Meghan Markle wave their hands at the wheelchair basketball match today
Meghan Markle smiles upon her arrival to watch the wheelchair basketball this morning
Prince Harry and Meghan Markle greet a member of the crowd in Dusseldorf this morning
The Duke and Duchess of Sussex arrive at the Merkur Spiel-Arena in Dusseldorf this morning
Prince Harry and Meghan Markle watch the wheelchair basketball in Dusseldorf today
Prince Harry and Meghan Markle wave their hands at the wheelchair basketball match today
Prince Harry and Meghan Markle watch the wheelchair basketball in Dusseldorf today
Prince Harry and Meghan Markle wave their hands at the wheelchair basketball match today
The Duke and Duchess of Sussex arrive at the Merkur Spiel-Arena in Dusseldorf this morning
Prince Harry and Meghan Markle watch the wheelchair basketball in Dusseldorf today
Prince Harry and Meghan Markle watch the wheelchair basketball in Dusseldorf today
Prince Harry and Meghan Markle watch the wheelchair basketball in Dusseldorf today
Prince Harry and Meghan Markle watch the wheelchair basketball in Dusseldorf today
Prince Harry and Meghan Markle greet a member of the crowd in Dusseldorf this morning
‘I only landed a couple of hours ago and I’m thrilled the first event I can do for Invictus is here with all of you. I hear it has got off to a good start so far.
‘We can’t wait to one day bring our kids as well so they can experience just how fantastic this is.’
Harry, who has been in Germany since Friday afternoon for the games which he founded in 2014, encouraged the guests to ‘connect with each other’.
The Duchess wore a black shirt dress by Banana Republic and an aide said she had got ready within an hour after arriving at the £2,000-a-night presidential suite at the hotel where Harry is staying, doing her own hair and make-up.
Source link
