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Prince Harry arrives in the UK ahead of Invictus Games event at St Paul’s Cathedral
Prince Harry has arrived in the UK to celebrate 10 years of the Invictus Games.
It marks the first time the royal has been in the country since his rushed visit to see the King in February after the monarch’s cancer diagnosis.
However, Sky News understands he will not meet the King during this visit.
Prince Harry was seen arriving at the Honourable Artillery Company’s headquarters on the edge of the City of London for a one-day summit, called the Invictus Games Foundation Conversation, today.
It is taking place ahead of a ceremony at St Paul’s Cathedral on Wednesday to mark the 10th anniversary of the games.
The ceremony will be the first major event he has attended in Britain for some time.
The conference at the Honourable Artillery Company’s HQ is looking back over the decade-long history of the games which Harry founded in 2014.
The Paralympics-style sporting event is a tournament for injured and sick military personnel and veterans.
Writing in the foreword for the summit, Harry said: “It has been an honour to watch the Invictus Games Foundation grow over the years; what began as a vision to pay tribute to the courage and resilience of wounded, injured, and sick service personnel and veterans, has flourished into an international organisation built on hope, strength, and unity.”
The duke also wrote: “We are eager to celebrate the Invictus Spirit once again – exemplified in every single competitor, staff, friend and family member – your commitment, enthusiasm and belief, have been the driving force behind our continued success.”
He added: “Together, we have created a legacy that transcends sports; a community that embraces compassion, respect, and the unyielding belief in the power of the human spirit. As we celebrate this milestone, let us recommit to the Invictus mission.”
Harry to appear at St Paul’s alongside wounded soldiers
It is not known if any other members of the Royal Family will be in attendance at the service at St Paul’s Cathedral on Wednesday.
Actor Damian Lewis is set to recite the Invictus poem during the service.
Representatives from across the Invictus Games participating nations, including members of the wounded, injured and sick service personnel and veteran community, will also be in attendance.
Teams take part in the games from countries including Afghanistan, Israel, the US, Iraq, and Ukraine, as well as many from the West and a few from Africa, Asia and South America.
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The Duke of Sussex served in the UK military for 10 years from 2005 and was deployed to Afghanistan on two occasions.
Harry was inspired to found the global tournament after attending the Warrior Games in Colorado in 2013 and seeing how injured American military personnel thrived on the challenge of taking part in competitive sports that aided their recovery.
He went on to stage the inaugural games at London’s Olympic Park in 2014, followed by Orlando in 2016, Toronto in 2017 and Sydney 2018.
Harry has been living with his wife Meghan in California since they quit their roles as senior working royals in March 2020.
The couple have two children together – Archie and Lilibet.
Harry’s latest visit to the UK comes after reports of rift between himself and his brother William, the heir to the throne.
In a tell-all book published in January last year, Harry made several explosive claims about the royals – detailing fallouts with his family, including William.