Prince Harry has opened up in a emotional new video about the ‘healing power of sport’ ahead of next year’s Invictus Games.
The Duke of Sussex released the message on the official account for the 2025 Games to be held in Vancouver, Canada, this afternoon on X, formerly Twitter.
He told viewers: ‘Sport has the ability to heal, to change lives and to save lives.’
Harry is patron of the Invictus Games which he established in 2014Â as an international adaptive multi-sport event for wounded, injured, and sick servicemen and women.
Both serving troops and veterans are encouraged to compete as part of their recovery journeys.
Prince Harry opened up in a new video about the ‘healing power of sport’ ahead of next year’s Invictus Games scheduled to be held in Vancouver, Canada
The video promoting next year’s Games features a compilation showing previous competitors
Prince Harry and his then-girlfriend and now-wife Meghan are seen here attending the wheelchair tennis at the Invictus Games in 2017, also in Canada but in Toronto
Harry added in his direct address in the 117-second video: ‘For so many of these competitors, getting to the start line has been one of the hardest moments of their life.
‘But at the Games, their lives are changed. Watching these magical moments happen, and sport being the facilitator of that, is very, very special for all of us to witness.’Â
Earlier this summer the prince hailed the wounded, injured and sick serving UK personnel and veterans who are to take part in the 64-strong squad, made up of 60 competitors and four reserves.
They were named as Team UK for what is called the Invictus Games Vancouver Whistler scheduled to be held next February.
Prince Harry said in July: ‘Congratulations to those selected for Team UK for our first-ever Winter Invictus Games in Vancouver Whistler next February.
‘Team UK will join over 500 competitors from across 20 nations in this groundbreaking event that expands the range and profile of winter adaptive sports.
‘These games present an incredible opportunity for our courageous service personnel and veterans to demonstrate their skills in new challenges like alpine skiing, snowboarding and skeleton, as well as providing a truly memorable experience for their families.
‘We’re excited to see their passion, determination, and resilience on full display as they take on this new chapter.’
Next year’s Invictus Games in Vancouver will be the first Invictus Games to include winter sports.
The Duke of Sussex is patron of the Invictus Games which he established in 2014
The Duke of Sussex is pictured sliding down the track on a skeleton sled during an Invictus Games training camp Prince Harry, the Duke of Sussex, slides down the track on a skeleton sled during an Invictus Games training camp in February
Prince Harry, pictured with his wife Meghan, has said he is excited to see ‘passion, determination and resilience’ of the UK squad for the first Invictus Games with winter sports
Prince Harry at the Invictus Games One Year To Go Event in February in Whistler, Canada
Team UK captain, Stephen ‘Hoops’ Hooper, is returning for his second Invictus Games after competing in powerlifting and sitting volleyball at Dusseldorf in 2023.
Hooper, who served in the RAF and was diagnosed with PTSD before being medically discharged in 2021, said: ‘To be selected for Team UK again was overwhelming in itself, but to be captain as well, is a privilege.
‘I gained a lot from the whole Team UK experience last time around, I’ve gone from standing in the corner of a room and not talking to anybody, to finding my voice again.
‘And that’s what I want to do for others this time – make sure every member of Team UK comes together and takes those steps forward in their recovery.’