Meghan Markle and Prince Harry reunite at bash in Germany for Invictus Games

Meghan Markle has dazzled the crowd with a surprise speech as she reunites with Prince Harry at the Invictus Games in Germany. See photos.

Meghan Markle has revealed the touching reason why she arrived two days late to the Invictus Games in Germany

The Duchess of Sussex took centre stage as she joined Prince Harry at a glitzy reception for 1,600 athletes and their loved ones in Dusseldorf.

It was the pair’s first joint public appearance since May 2023 when they claimed to have been chased by paparazzi in their car while leaving a New York gala event.

Meghan Markle speaks on stage at the Invictus Games reception. Picture: Getty Images

Meghan revealed to the crowd she was “a little late to the party” due to her children Archie and Lillibet, telling how she bought them milkshakes and took her son on the school run before leaving for Germany.

The Duchess of Sussex takes centre stage in Germany. Picture: Getty Images

Meghan Markle with Nigerian athlete Glory Essien. Picture: Getty Images

The Duchess, who wore a black Banana Republic dress, Bottega Veneta belt and Aquazarra shoes, stood next to a beaming Prince Harry after taking to the stage at the conference hall adjoining Dusseldorf airport.

Meghan Markle hugs Glory Essien at the event. Picture: Getty Images

She told the guests: “It is so special to be here — sorry I’m a little late to the party.

“I had to spend a little more time getting our little ones settled at home and get them to drop off.

“Three milkshakes and a school drop off and I just landed a couple of hours ago and I am thrilled that the first event I can do for Invictus is here with all of you. It is amazing and I hear it has got off to a good start so far.”

The Sussexes arrive with athletes. Picture: Getty Images

Prince Harry and Meghan Markle meet friends and family members of competitors. Picture: Getty Images

Meghan told the audience she had recently visited LA’s Fisher House, which helps veterans and their families and is one of the main sponsors of the Invictus Games, and was “moved” by what she saw.

“They understand, as you do, as my husband does in creating the Invictus Games, how much the value of rehabilitation matters, not just as a solitary experience, but as a family,” she said.

Aides said Meghan did her own hair and make-up soon after arriving at her five-star hotel in Dusseldorf and got ready for the event in just over an hour, The Sun reports.

Earlier, Meghan was all smiles as she touched down in Dusseldorf via a short layover in London, where she didn’t linger to visit the in-laws.

She was whisked away in a chauffeur-driven Range Rover to the five-star Hyatt Regency, where rooms cost up to $A3900 per night, to reunite with Prince Harry.

Prince Harry was in his element on day three of the Invictus Games. Picture: Getty Images

The Duke was transfixed on the Wheelchair Basketball match between Team Ukraine and Team Great Britain. Picture: Getty Images

The pair have been apart since Prince Harry travelled to London last week to speak at the WellChild Awards, leaving the Duke alone to commemorate the year since the Queen’s death.

The reunion comes on the third day of the Invictus Games, where Meghan is expected to play a prominent role including a “very emotional” closing speech during the farewell ceremony on Saturday, according to reports.

Meghan Markle left the kids in California as she went to meet Prince Harry in time to celebrate his 39th birthday. Picture: Getty Images

Meghan’s flight from Los Angeles marks her first trans-Atlantic trip since the Queen’s funeral last year. She was accompanied by a bodyguard, while her two children remained in California.

They were thought to have been left in the care of Meghan’s mother, Doria Ragland.

While waiting for Meghan to arrive, Prince Harry spent the day watching a wheelchair basketball match between Team UK and Ukraine with his friend and former marine JJ Chalmers, who competed in the first Invictus Games in London in 2014. Chalmers suffered serious injuries during a bomb blast in 2011 while in the Royal Marines and based in Helmand.

Royal author and commentator Robert Jobson said that Prince Harry flying solo for the first half of the games reminds the world of his charismatic personality.

“Invictus is where he shines, this is what he’s passionate about, what he cares about and he knows what he’s talking about, he’s very credible and Meghan’s absence allows him to shine.”

Prince Harry planted a kiss on Team USA’s Davey Martinez’s head on Monday night as he presented the team with their gold medals after they beat Team UK in the Invictus wheelchair rugby final at Merkur Spiel-Arena in Dusseldorf.

While Prince Harry was in his element in Germany, Meghan was pictured with a friend ordering fast food at the drive-through window of In-N-Out Burger.