Prince Harry and Meghan Markle at the Invictus Games today, walking hand-in-hand, is sure to spur on rumours of their impending engagement announcement. The couple’s appearance came after Harry visited the Canadian Institute for Military and Veteran Health Research (CIMVHR) conference at the Beanfield Centre in Toronto.
Yesterday, the couple attended the opening ceremony of the Invictus Games – but not together. Harry sat in the VIP area of the ceremony, while Meghan sat in the stalls with a friend, almost a block away.
Today, they arrived hand-in-hand for the wheelchair tennis, as New Zealand took on Australia. Harry and Meghan cheered the teams on, applauding at the event, but also leaning in close to talk, and chatting with other spectators; the actress and Prince seemed comfortable in front of the public – and cameras – together.
While many may query the importance of reporting this, Royals usually only attend official events with their partner when they are engaged to be married. The same can be said of arriving together, hinting at an announcement for the couple, with others speculating they are already engaged.
Prince Harry and Meghan Markle at the wheelchair tennis on day three of the Invictus Games in Toronto. Picture by Stephen Lock / i-Images
Embed from Getty Images
Embed from Getty Images
Prince Harry + Meghan Markle looked like they had a blast today at the #InvictusGames pic.twitter.com/Ry3qPINYnR
— HELLO! Canada (@HelloCanada) September 25, 2017
Earlier in the day, Harry attended a conference on soldiers’ and veterans’ health, calling military families ‘role models’ for the public, saying the values of teamwork, respect, discipline and leadership they display are lacking in the modern world.
In his speech, the Prince said: “We are dangling a carrot of sporting glory to help reignite qualities which have been worn down by months and often years of fighting – fighting to find purpose, fighting to reconnect with family, fighting to get fit again, fighting to leave the house and in some cases fighting to stay alive.
“Sport of course is not the only answer, but it is a hugely powerful tool. People find motivation and purpose in many different things. But in my mind, there is no denying the impact that teamwork, competition and fun has on someone’s well-being and outlook.
“We believed the [Invictus] Games would make a real difference. Competitors, friends and their families told us that the Games were not only changing lives, but saving lives.
“And now what we believed to be true has been backed up by this high-quality academic research.
Prince Harry speaking at the Canadian Institute for Military and Veteran Health Research (CIMVHR) conference on day three of the Invictus Games. Picture by Pool / i-Images
“Now I have long believed that individuals who wear the uniform are role models for society. Their families understand the true meaning of teamwork, respect, discipline and leadership.
“And in a world where this is often lacking, I bet the values by which service families live their lives and the example they set for others through these Games, is having a profound effect on their communities and far beyond. Wouldn’t it be great if we could prove that too!”
Giving an emotional slant to the event, the former army captain mentioned a letter he received from one of the American competitors’ wives. The unnamed woman wrote: “I cry because making him [her husband] smile the one thing I can’t do as his wife. Thank you for these games! They truly were a blessing because his smile is something we’ve missed!”
“I am delighted that Celina’s research validates such comments,” Harry continued. “We believed the Games would make a real difference. Competitors, friends and their families told us that the Games were not only changing lives, but saving lives. And now what we believed to be true has been backed up by this high-quality academic research.”
