Prince Harry makes poignant vow during powerful speech at tear-jerking ceremony

Prince Harry paid tribute to Canada’s indigenous First Nations at the Invictus Games, telling them: “What your people have endured should never have happened”.

Harry was speaking on stage in front of an audience of 12,000 people at the event’s closing ceremony, which also included a speech by Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau. The First Nations, including Lílwat, Musqueam, Squamish and Tsleil-Waututh, whose land the Vancouver and Whistler Games were held on, are the earliest known inhabitants of Canada and have their own distinct cultures, languages, art and music.

But the impact of settler colonialism in the country led to the systematic abolishment of Indigenous languages, traditions, religion and the degradation of Indigenous communities, which has been described as a genocide of Indigenous peoples. Harry, 40, said: “To the host First Nations, thank you for your partnership and your friendship over the past three years.

“You’ve shown us what it looks like to fight for the survival of something far greater—your land, your culture, your communities, and your light. “You show the world how to move forward. Armed with the truth in order to achieve reconciliation. And for that, we are forever grateful.

Speaking in an indigenous dialect, Harry added: “Chin-chin-Stwhy”. Harry also paid tribute to the Invictus athletes and their families, as well as service men and women lost in battle and to suicide.

He said: “To our Invictus wives, husbands, girlfriends, boyfriends, kids, grandparents and friends, please stand and be recognised – we salute you. “To our comrades, friends or loved ones who we lost to battle or to suicide, tonight we honour you too.

“To those of you whose journey to these Games has been difficult and uncertain…who questioned whether you would even make it here today…thank you for showing us what is possible. In the pursuit of saving yourselves, you have also saved all of us. Those who love you and those who don’t even know you.”

Harry added: “I’ve spent the past eleven days meeting children to grandparents from all over the world—from different beliefs, backgrounds and abilities. I’ve seen how you’ve changed them. Being a hero, being a role model. It’s not just about resilience, skill or power. It’s about integrity, compassion, courage. You give us hope through your healing, honesty and humanity and of course through your humour!

“Our entire Invictus community, whether here tonight or watching from home, is making the world a better place, and you’re doing it by being your awesome selves.” Harry, who founded the Invictus Games for injured service people in 2014, also vowed that the event, which will next be held in Birmingham in 2027, will continue for as long as it is needed.

He said: “Here we are more than a decade later in a world still full of strife and trauma. And as much as we wish these Games weren’t necessary, I understand why they are still needed, perhaps more than ever. It’s because of the strength you give to the world, the power of your example, your duty to one another. You may swear allegiance to different flags, but you stand united in your decency, your compassion, and your spirit of service.

“I can’t stand before you and promise there won’t be challenging times ahead, but I promise you, you’re better equipped now than you were before. You’ve reclaimed what was lost, restored what was broken… achieved the impossible. Remember what makes you tick. Hold onto it. Rely on it. Use it for yourself and those around you, for service to one another will save us.”

Harry added: “While I never expected that we would still be here in 2025, from one soldier to another, I also promise you this: So long as our brothers and sisters are striving to heal and grow, the Games will go on. So long as there are those around the world who view you with sympathy, rather than admiration and respect, the Games will go on. And so long as the challenges around us demand it and require it…the Games will go on. Bring on Invictus Birmingham 2027!”. At the end of his speech, Harry added: “You guys have permission to party!”.

Canadian prime minister Justin Trudeau, 53, also gave a speech congratulating the competitors and their families. Speaking in both English and French, he said: “Each and every one of you is an inspiration. You all embody what it means to be unconquered.”

Paying tribute to the Ukrainian team, he said: “To the Ukrainian competitors, who have fought for and are fighting to protect your homeland each and every day, as you fight for your homeland, you are fighting for democracy. We will be with you every step of the way until victory!”

Mr Trudeau also addressed the US team, describing them as “our neighbours, our allies, our friends. We all stand proudly together. Americans are our friends always.” Mr Trudeau added: “To the Canadian competitors, I think I speak for our entire 41-million strong family when I say how grateful we are for every single one of you. You are an inspiration to all Canadians, from coast to coast to coast.”

He also paid a touching tribute to Prince Harry, causing a standing ovation from competitors and officials surrounding him. Looking embarrassed by the reception, Harry humbly put his finger to his lips and could be seen telling them: “Sit down!”.

The emotional two-hour show, at Vancouver’s Rogers Arena, also included performances by US country singer Jelly Roll, legends Barenaked Ladies, Canadian singer Marie-Mai and duo The War and Treaty. In one touching moment, one Invictus Games competitor spoke about how much the competition meant to her and referenced Harry’s late mother Princess Diana.

Canadian servicewoman Assunta Aquino, who grew up in Australia and won gold in a skiing event, said: “The Royal Family was very important to us and so was Princess Diana. One of her movements being to de-mine the world. It all kind of came full circle when it was [the Invictus Games] held in Whistler on my home mountain, it was Prince Harry’s games for veterans. I think all of the stars aligned.

“I think it was really brave of Prince Harry to come out and say ‘you know what, the mental health is an invisible injury and is just as important and we need to address those as well.”

There was also an official handover ceremony ahead of the next Games, which will be held in Birmingham in 2027. Veterans minister and MP for Birmingham Selly Oak Al Carns joined the Royal British Legion’s Team UK Captains Stephen “Hoops” Hooper, Neil Thomas and Gemma Barnes on stage to receive the Invictus Games’ Foundation flag to signify the transition.

They appeared alongside Chloe Angus, who was demonstrating the world’s most advanced exoskeleton, which was created in British Columbia, where the Games are being held. And there was also an armed forces honour guard by British and Canadian soldiers.

Mr Carns served and led during four tours in Afghanistan and was awarded the Military Cross in 2011 “in recognition of gallant and distinguished services”. He said: “Many of us, especially those who served in Iraq and Afghanistan, have come back to Birmingham for treatment at the Queen Elizabeth Hospital, playing a key role in their recovery.

“For them, to return to Birmingham, and to take part in the next games, will complete their journey to recovery. The Invictus Games is not just about courage, it’s about the continuation of service for individuals who are given the opportunity to once again serve and represent a country.”

Singer Jelly Roll, 40, originally from Nashville, Tennessee, belted out his songs I am Not OK and Liar. Barenaked Ladies performed a medley of their hits, including Big Bang Theory Theme, Pinch Me, If I had a Million Dollars and One Week. Francophone music artist Marie-Mai, from Montreal, sang Sur le Plancher and musical duo The War and Treaty performed alongside two guest choirs.

The Royal Canadian Navy Naden and 15th Field Regiment Band also performed the ceremony’s opening number ‘Wiener Philharmoniker Fanfare’, as well as ‘Invictus Fanfare’. The athletes were welcomed by young members of the indigenous four host nations, whose land has provided the venues for the Games, ahead of a Parade of Nation flags, which saw Canadian cadets carry the flags of all 23 teams.

Royal Canadian Air Cadet Warrant Officer First Class Alice-Xinyue Pu, who lives in British Colombia, read the Invictus poem. Invictus medallions were presented to team captains by officials, including Prince Harry, Commander of Military Personnel Command and Chief of Military Personnel Lieutenant-General Lisa Bourgon and Invictus Games Foundation CEO Dominic Reid.

There were also speeches by Canadian Paralympian hero Rick Hansen, Invictus 2025 CEO Scott Moore, Boeing Canada President Al Meinzinger. Speaking before the closing ceremony Team UK Captain Steve “Hoops” Hooper, an RAF veteran diagnosed with PTSD from his experiences in Iraq before being medically discharged in 2021, said: “Team UK have had an awesome week in Vancouver Whistler! “From proposals to PBs, we’ve enjoyed stunning scenery and made memories to last a lifetime.

“We arrived in Canada full of anticipation – we leave stronger, braver, more resilient and closer than ever to our recovery. We are proud to bring Games home to Birmingham in 2027!”

Source: Mirror