Meghan Markle couldn’t keep her hands to herself at Saturday night’s Invictus games as she smooched up a storm with Prince Harry hours after Donald Trump branded her ‘terrible’.
The Duchess of Sussex, 43, packed on the PDA as she watched from the stands in Vancouver with her husband, snuggling into him before leaning in for a passionate kiss.
Her affection towards Harry came shortly after US President Donald Trump took a swipe at Meghan while announcing he had no plans to deport the Prince from the US amid a legal battle over his immigration status.
‘I don’t want to do that,’ Trump said on Friday. ‘I’ll leave him alone. He’s got enough problems with his wife. She’s terrible,’ he told the New York Post.
Meghan stole the show last night as a giant screen cut to a shot of her feverishly shaking her pom-poms.
The Duchess, who wrapped up in a long cream trench coat as she battled against Canada’s frosty temperatures, leaned against her husband before planting a big kiss, grabbing the attention of onlookers.
The couple lovingly shared a kiss during the star-studded opening ceremony
Meghan Markle puts on a loved-up display with her husband Prince at tonight’s Invictus Games opening ceremony
The former Suits actress was beaming as she raised her blue pom-poms in the air
Meghan wrapped up in a long cream trench coat as she fashionably battled against Canada’s frosty temperatures
She tentatively placing her hand on Harry’s arm and at one point attempted to capture the energy of the stadium on camera
The couple were smiling from ear to ear as they watched the Invictus opening ceremony in Vancouver
It is understood Meghan’s sole purpose in attending these games is to support her husband and the competitors sharing their brave stories
Donald Trump took a swipe at Meghan Markle earlier this week branding her a ‘terrible person’ as he declared had no plans to deport Prince Harry from the US amid a legal battle over his immigration status
The Duchess has already delayed the release of her Netflix cookery show, With Love Meghan, from January until March due to the wildfires in LA.
She was expected to have a busy start to 2025, after relaunching her Instagram account and projects from her lifestyle brand American Riviera Orchard, podcast and show all on the horizon.
Some critics questioned her motives for delaying her Netflix launch by two months – but insiders told PEOPLE Magazine it was an ‘easy decision’ for Meghan to make.
The Duke and Duchess previously dismissed allegations about their difficult behaviour towards staff made by Vanity Fair in January.
The damning profile in the magazine – headlined ‘American Hustle’ – stated that Meghan could be ‘really, really awful’ when things did not go her way.
Citing multiple sources who have worked for the Sussexes since they quit Britain five years ago, Meghan would be ‘warm and effusive’ towards employees before turning ‘cold and withholding toward the person she perceived to be responsible’ when something went wrong.
Things ‘went poorly, often due to Meghan and Harry’s own demands’, one insider claimed.
It later appeared to be the case that Meghan’s podcast with Lemonada Media – which seemingly teased new episodes at the start of January – was also delayed.
The couple smile at the ceremony of the Games they first went public with their romance at the 2017 Invictus Games
Prince Harry and Meghan Markle enter the ceremony to an outburst of cheers from the crowd
Prince Harry during the opening ceremonies of the 2025 Invictus Games in Vancouver,
Prince Harry later took to the stage to speak of his ‘sacred obligation’ to do everything he can to help military veterans like himself as he was given a hero’s welcome at the opening ceremony of the Invictus Games
Harry told the crowd: ‘In this moment of difficulty and division in many parts of the world, we gather here in Vancouver in a spirit of unity. We represent 23 nations
Meghan Markle took the opportunity to whip her phone out during the ceremony to capture the crowd
Prince Harry gulps down water as he prepares to take to the stage for his speech
Standing on the sidelines: The Duke of Sussex prepares to speak to the packed-out stadium
At Saturday night’s ceremony, Harry and Meghan sat one row in front of the leaders of the indigenous people on whose land the games are being held in Vancouver and Whistler.
The nine-day sporting event – created by Harry in 2014 for wounded, injured and sick servicemen and women – will see more than 500 competitors from 23 countries come together.
This years games will include winter sports for the first time ever.
The games have previously been held in London in 2014, in Orlando in 2016, Toronto in 2017, Sydney in 2018, The Hague in 2022 and Dusseldorf in 2023.
The opening ceremony began with a parade of nations taking part in the week long event, with Germany, who hosted the 2023 games in Dusseldorf, first to enter the BC Place arena.
Two competitors from Team Afghan were given a huge cheer, but the loudest noise was reserved for the host nation Canada.
Giant inflatables of a whale and dolphin hovered above the military veterans from the ceiling of the stadium with the sea creatures signifying Vancouver’s links to the Pacific Ocean.
Prince Harry later took to the stage to speak of his ‘sacred obligation’ to do everything he can to help military veterans like himself as he was given a hero’s welcome at the opening ceremony of the Invictus Games.
As his wife Meghan looked on adoringly from the stands, he said those who had gathered in Vancouver were there in a ‘spirit of unity’ while in parts of the world there was division and difficulty.
Harry told the crowd: ‘In this moment of difficulty and division in many parts of the world, we gather here in Vancouver in a spirit of unity. We represent 23 nations.
Members of Team UK arrive at the opening ceremony of the 2025 Invictus Games in Vancouver
British athletes take part in the parade during the opening ceremony of the Invictus Games
Ukrainian athletes at the opening ceremony of the Invictus Games this evening
French athletes take part in the parade during the opening ceremony of the Invictus Games
‘Speak many different languages and reflect the full breadth of the world’s religions and faiths.
‘Beyond any differences, here at the Invictus Games we are grounded in mutual respect, competing fiercely, but believing in one another. Supporting one another. And rooting for one another.
‘The Games were born more than a decade ago, from a promise I made to myself.
‘A promise to uphold my obligation—a sacred obligation after my own decade and privilege of military service —to do whatever I could to help my fellow brothers and sisters heal, and to champion everything we stand for.
‘Over the past decade I’ve lost count of the times we’ve heard you tell us that the Invictus Games saved you. Respectfully, I disagree. Invictus didn’t save you. You saved yourself.’
Saying there was ‘no shortage of crises’ in the world, he added: ‘The values you embody—the way you carry yourselves—not only at the Invictus Games, but each and every day… your courage, your resilience, your humanity…illuminate a path forward for us all and for that, we thank you.
‘Your leadership did not end when you stepped off the battlefield or took off the uniform. It endures. The example you set is a compass for the world.’
The Prince finished off his speech with a quotation from American writer Toni Morrison – who his wife Meghan is a fan of.
Danish athletes also make their way into the stadium for tonight’s opening ceremony of the Invictus Games
Dutch athletes take part in the parade during the opening ceremony of the Invictus Games
Nigerian athletes take part in the parade during the opening ceremony of the Invictus Games
Israeli athletes take part in the parade during the opening ceremony of the Invictus Games
Athletes and the crowd burst into cheers as the ceremony continues in Vancouver tonight
The Duchess shared her personal list of 10 women who have changed her life and career in an interview with Glamour in 2017. Nobel Prize-winning author Morrison, best known for her first novel The Bluest Eye (1970), was one of them.
Having taken a class on the author at university, Meghan said at the time: ‘The first time I read The Bluest Eye, I thought, ‘Wow! She creates this world for you that you get to feel a part of.’
But tonight’s show hasn’t been without issues, as the Invictus Games livestream was plagued with sound problems later apologising to remote spectators.
It said: ‘We are aware of audio issues on the livestream of the opening ceremony for the Invictus Games Vancouver 2025.
‘We are trying to fix them and appreciate your patience.’
A star-studded line-up graced the Invictus stage tonight in Vancouver, including A-listers such as Katy Perry, Coldplay’s Chris Martin, Noah Kahan and Nelly Furtado.
Frontman Martin performed the Invictus Anthem, which he was previously asked to write by Prince Harry in 2014, accompanied by choir and military band.
Later, he jibbed that Prince Harry had tried to get many other performers to write the Invictus anthem – and he was his last resort.
Coldplay’s Chris Martin performed the Invictus Anthem accompanied by choir and military band
Martin joked to the crowd that it was so cold inside the stadium that it was ‘like playing a concert in a ‘frozen food section’, and went on to sing Coldplay’s hit ‘Higher Power
Nelly Furtado graced the stage with a sensational performance during tonight’s opening ceremony
The Canadian songstress also took to the stage in an all-black ensemble, starting with one of her most famous hits, I’m Like A Bird.
Stick Season crooner Noah Kahan also took to the stage at tonight’s ceremony, singing his best-known tracks which led to his rise to stardom
Britain’s Prince Harry and Meghan, Duchess of Sussex are shown on a big screen as they attend the opening ceremony
Two back up singers where dressed in all black as he stood in the centre of podium as the anthem was crooned to the crowd, with Martin later singing Coldplay’s hit ‘Higher Power.
The Brit also joked that it was so cold inside the stadium that it was ‘like playing a concert in a ‘frozen food section’.
The audience was later brought to their feet with one of the Brit-pop biggest hits, Viva La Vida.
Nelly Furtado, who has sold more than 45million records and is one of Canada’s most successful Canada also took to the stage in an all-black ensemble, starting with one of her most famous hits, I’m Like A Bird.
She was joined onstage by Indigenous blind music producer and recording artist Mattmac. The rapper has had more than 30 million streams across all platforms.
Stick Season singer Noah Kahan also took to the stage at tonight’s ceremony, singing his best-known tracks which led to his rise to stardom and earned him a nomination for the Grammy Award for Best New Artist in 2023.
Closing out tonight’s ceremony was pop superstar Katy Perry taking centre stage in a military-inspired outfit, accompanied by a military band.
The American singer started with her inspirational anthem, which holds an empowering message for the athletes: ‘I got the eye of the tiger, a fighter dancing through the fire, ’cause I am a champion and you’re gonna hear me roar.’
Attendees fill the venue in Vancouver as they gear up to compete in the Invictus Games
The atmosphere is electric as military personnel prepare to compete against one in another in the sporting competition
A cheering crowd member waving their blue pom-poms as the opening ceremony gets underway
She followed it up with older hits Dark Horse and Part Of Me and a recent 2024 song LIFETIMES.
Ahead of the Invictus games this morning, the Prince showed off his skills on the dance floor as he and Meghan Markle ahead of this year’s Invictus Games.
He also hugged a female competitor as he and Meghan had a breakfast meeting ahead of the opening ceremony.
The couple were warmly greeted by the Canadian team with Meghan posting video of the encounter to her Instagram story – complete with Harry seemingly attempting to do the ‘twist’.
Harry and Meghan couldn’t resist handing out hugs as they spent time hearing about how many of the competitors have overcome adversity to make the games.
Meghan has never shied away from showing her support for her home country. At the Dusseldorf games in 2023 she was happy to drape herself in the Stars and Stripes flag.
Aides said the couple were able to hear the stories of courage and resilience from competitors taking part in the seventh Invictus Games.
US Military and Government officials were also at the meeting – but its unlikely President Donald Trump’s less than complimentary remarks about Meghan were raised.
The meeting with Team Canada was organised by the True Patriot Love organisation who are one of the sponsors of the Vancouver Games.
Ahead of the games, Harry showed off his skills on the dancefloor as he and Meghan Markle are set to kick off this year’s Invictus Games
The Duke of Sussex showed off his dancing skills as he met members of the Canadian team taking part in the Invictus Games
Meghan hugs a woman as she and Prince Harry meet with competitors ahead of the games
Prince Harry, pictured with his wife Meghan in Whistler last year, are remembered fondly by the Canadian public after the couple moved to Vancouver Island in 2020
The couple famously appeared in public together for the first time at the Toronto Invictus Games in 2017, pictured hand-in-hand at a wheelchair tennis event.
In 2023, Meghan and Harry cheered on athletes among the crowds at the Invictus Games in Dusseldorf, Germany.
The Duke and Duchess of Sussex were sitting side-by-side clapping and also reacting to the game tensely as they watched the wheelchair basketball with Australia supporters.
While Meghan is understood to have several projects on the horizon, her family remains her top priority and she is determined to continue to stand together with Harry to support the causes they care about.
The couple visited Colombia for a four-day tour last August, with the trip focusing on tackling cyber-bullying and online digital violence as well as promoting women’s leadership.
They also embarked on a three-day visit to Nigeria earlier in 2024 at the invitation of the West African nation’s chief of defense staff.
Meghan Markle has been spotted adoringly watching her husband Prince Harry as he opened the seventh edition of the Invictus Games
This will be the seventh edition of the games, established by Harry in 2014, and will begin in the city today, bringing together more than 500 competitors from 23 nations. It is also the first time the games will include winter sports
British veterans and serving personnel who were injured during service departed for Canada earlier this week for the games.
The 62 competitors – all veterans and serving personnel who sustained life-changing injuries and illnesses while serving in the UK Armed Forces – left the country from Birmingham Airport on Thursday.
The games aim to ‘inspire recovery, support rehabilitation and generate a wider understanding and respect for those who have served their country’, the Royal British Legion said.
Ahead of the highly anticipated sporting event, Meghan gave an impromptu speech at a private event for the Games where she divulged she felt ‘at home’ in Canada.
After giving her husband an smooch on stage, the Duchess of Sussex began to shower her husband with praise for his dedication to the event.
Highlighting the sporting event’s importance of the event, Meghan told military veterans and their families that they were her husband’s ‘family’.
The Duke and Duchess of Sussex moved to Vancouver Island in 2020 after quitting the royal family in what became known as ‘Megxit’.
Prince Harry was all smiles as he arrived at his five-star hotel for the start of the Invictus Games
The couple flew in on a private charter jet from Santa Barbara airport near their home in Montecito, California , arriving just after 5:30pm
The Duke and Duchess of Sussex will be enjoying ‘rock star’ status during their stay in Vancouver after booking a £5,000 a night suite that comes with its own private elevator and rooftop patio. Pictured: the Fairmont Pacific Rim hotel
Meghan, 43, also lived in Toronto for several years where the Netfix series ‘Suits’ was filmed and famously made their first appearance together as a couple at the 2017 Invictus Games held in the city.
She said: ‘I was not planning on speaking tonight, and we just arrived, I don’t know, a couple of hours ago, and I touched Canadian soil and I went, oh, it feels like home.’
Turning to Harry she continued: ‘We are just thrilled to be here, and I would be remiss if I didn’t take the opportunity to introduce someone who means a lot to me. And I know he means quite a lot to all of you. You will see him throughout this week.
‘You will see him at the Games. You will see him probably curling with you, cheering you on.’