Prince Harry is counting down the days until the 2025 Invictus Games — and now fans can too!
“The Invictus movement started back in 2014,” Harry, 40, said during an appearance on TSN as part of a new promotional video for the upcoming event. “It’s a sporting platform used for the rehabilitation and support for wounded soldiers, both serving and veteran.”
He explained, “It’s really an opportunity for the individuals themselves and their families to heal and rehabilitate through sport.”
Harry, who founded the Invictus Games 10 years ago, made a special appearance at the 2024 Grey Cup Festival in Vancouver earlier this month, which is where the interview was recorded. As the prince spoke about the special event, football players from the Toronto Argonauts and the Winnipeg Blue Bombers warmed up in the background.
“This time in less than three months we’ll be back here for the opening ceremony in February,” Harry said while sitting beside Invictus Games competitor Wen Nie. “So, that’s what we’re really excited about.”
The video then pivoted to Harry meeting with locals in the Vancouver and Whistler areas, which is where the 2025 games will take place.
He was gifted handmade items from the indigenous people in the region, including a woven tapestry. Harry, meanwhile, handed out Invictus Games’ fanny packs to the youth and smiled for photos with the group.
Prince Harry Has Special Meetup During Vancouver Trip Before Invictus Games
Elsewhere in the video, Harry can be seen laughing and playing volleyball with kids using a beach ball at an Invictus Games event in Canada in support of the upcoming military-based week.
“Meeting the kids today, seeing them learn about the Invictus Games has had a profound impact on me because this is where Invictus starts to go even wider,” Harry said during a speech at the local outing. “Outside of the Invictus community into schools in Canada and hopefully around the world.”
He then described how important it is for others to support the military, past and present throughout the world.
“Imagine what it’s like for these individuals for the challenges that they’ve overcome to be amongst team members again wearing the same [uniform]. Wearing their flag on their chest or on their arm,” Harry told the kids and their parents in attendance. “Coming out into a stadium full of tens of thousands of people cheering for them.”
Jelly Roll Hilariously Gave Prince Harry a Tattoo Ahead of Invictus Games
The royal added: “Ultimately, it’s the crowd. It’s the audience. It’s all of us that provide the atmosphere for them. We’ll see you in 82 days!”
Harry celebrated the 10th anniversary of the Invictus Games earlier this year. The most recent games took place in Germany last year and the 2025 event will take place in both Vancouver and Whistler, Canada, from February 8 to February 16.
To promote the next round of events — all of which are catered to wounded, injured and sick military personnel — Harry teamed up with country singer Jelly Roll for a special video.
Prince Harry’s Military Career: From Enlistment to Invictus Games
“We’re giving you a tattoo about the Invictus Games,” Jelly Roll, 39, told the Duke of Sussex in a video shared via Instagram on Tuesday, November 19, to which Harry clarified, “Uh, no I came here to ask you to do the Invictus Games. There’s no tattoo in this. I can’t get a tattoo.”
The duo agreed that Jelly Roll, who has a bunch of tattoos, could give Harry his first tattoo in exchange for the artist agreeing to perform at the Invictus Games. The twosome eventually settled on Harry’s neck for the ink.
“What’s that?” Harry exclaimed after seeing the finished product in the mirror. “Dude, it’s enormous.” The camera zoomed in on a tattoo that read, “I am Jelly Roll.” When Harry questioned his choice, Jelly Roll quickly exited the room.
