Harry appeared via video at the 2026 Invictus Germany Sports Festival on Saturday, June 13, as the royal family made a public appearance in London
Credit: Samir Hussein/WireImage; invictusgames2023/Instagram
NEED TO KNOW
- Prince Harry shared a video message for competitors at the opening ceremony of the 2026 Invictus Germany Sports Festival on Saturday, June 13
- Harry’s new message at the Düsseldorf event came as the royal family attended Trooping the Colour in London
- The Duke of Sussex will return to the U.K. in July for Invictus Games-related events, but will travel without wife Meghan Markle and their children
Prince Harry made a video appearance as the royal family stepped out at Trooping the Colour.
On Saturday, June 13, Kate Middleton, Prince William and their children — Prince George, Princess Charlotte and Prince Louis — took part in the annual ceremony in London. The same morning, the Duke of Sussex, 41, shared some words in a video message shown at the opening ceremony of the 2026 Invictus Germany Sports Festival, an offshoot of the main Invictus Games event.
“It is an honor to be sending this message as you all gather in Düsseldorf for another Invictus sporting title,” Harry told attendees on Saturday in a video that Invictus Games shared via Instagram Stories. (The prince and former captain in the British Army launched the original Invictus Games in 2014 as a support for service members and veterans.)
“Germany is setting a powerful example of what it means to honor service with dignity and enduring commitment,” Harry continued. “We are now gathered for the second Invictus Germany Sports Festival, welcoming 11 nations. And what you've created here is already helping shape the inaugural Invictus Australia Sports Festival later this year.”
Credit: Credit – invictusgames2023/Instagram
The Duke of Sussex concluded his video message to the German tournament competitors — both current and former military personnel — by expressing gratitude and highlighting the event's focus on camaraderie and unity.
“Thank you for your service, for your example, and for showing what it means to move forward together,” he said. “Have a fantastic time in Düsseldorf, lean on each other when you need to and celebrate everything you've achieved. And most importantly, make sure you have fun.”
Harry's video message to the international competitors came as much of the royal family participated in King Charles' birthday parade in London, which famously culminates in an appearance on the Buckingham Palace balcony.
The King, 77, and his wife, Queen Camilla, stood together for the biggest photo op of the day, which came as they watched the Royal Air Force perform a flypast from the palace. Also photographed on the balcony were William, 43, Kate, 44, and their three kids, who all rode in a horse-drawn carriage together during the procession through London ahead of the balcony appearance.
Credit: Samir Hussein/WireImage
Other members of the royal family on the balcony included Princess Anne, Vice Admiral Sir Timothy Laurence, Prince Edward, Sophie, the Duchess of Edinburgh, Prince Richard, the Duke of Gloucester, Birgitte, the Duchess of Gloucester and Prince Edward, the Duke of Kent.
Can't get enough of PEOPLE's Royals coverage? Sign up for our free Royals newsletter to get the latest updates on Kate Middleton, Meghan Markle and more!
Prince Harry has been attending Trooping the Colour since childhood, and his wife, Meghan Markle, has joined the royals for the event on a few occasions. She made her debut at the annual parade just weeks after the couple's 2018 wedding, and she and Harry appeared again the following year.
On both occasions, Meghan, 44, and Harry rode in a horse-drawn carriage in the procession and appeared on the Buckingham Palace balcony. They have not been invited to the event in recent years since they stepped back as working members of the royal family — and this year's Trooping the Colour was no exception.
Once King Charles' reign began, Buckingham Palace restricted the balcony appearance to working members of the royal family. The annual event now serves as a showcase for the monarchy's working royals under the King's slimmer-monarchy vision.
Credit: Craig Barritt/Getty
Harry, who lives in Meghan's home state of California, is headed back to Great Britain next month for a different event. He will travel to Birmingham, England, in July for Invictus Games-related events ahead of the 2027 competition held in the city.
The trip sparked renewed speculation about whether the Duchess of Sussex and the couple's kids, Prince Archie, 7, and Princess Lilibet, 5, could make a long-awaited return to the U.K.
Sources told PEOPLE, however, that Harry's July travels will be a solo trip for security-related reasons.
Read the full article here
