Prince Harry emerges in surprise new video ahead of Invictus Games

The Duke of Sussex has unexpectedly popped up online with a new message in the midst of his whirlwind charity tour of Asia without Meghan.

Prince Harry.

A grinning Prince Harry has popped up in a surprise new video, just weeks out from the next Invictus Games in Germany.

The Duke of Sussex, who is currently in Asia for a charity and polo tour with his close friend Ignacios ‘Nacho’ Figueras, will head to Dusseldorf for the event early next month.

The international sporting competition was founded by Harry and brings together injured and sick veterans and servicemen and women from all over the world.

In the video message, reportedly prerecorded at his home in Montecito, Harry admitted he was both “excited and nervous” as the countdown began to the Invictus’ September 9 launch – but that it would be “the best Games ever”.

“I hope you are excited and probably a bit nervous. I’m both. But I can’t wait to see all of you and have the whole community together once again. It’s been too long,” he told participants.

“You’re all on different parts of your healing journey... We all are – we always will be.

“Good luck for the remaining few weeks, have fun, look forward to it. Being nervous is a good thing. We have 21 nations this year and can’t wait to have every continent represented. Except Antarctica – but still working on that.

“Thank you for your service, for your commitment, your determination in getting to this point. “We are going to have a lot of fun and yeah, look forward to it. We’re ready to host you. It’s going to be the best games ever, the best games yet.”

Harry delivered a message ahead of next month’s Invictus Games.

It comes as British pop star Rita Ora was announced as the headline act for the closing ceremony, at which Harry is expected to give a speech.

It’s understood Harry will be in Dusseldorf for the entirety of the competition, which runs from September 9 until September 16. It was announced last week that his wife, Meghan Markle, will join him for at least part of that time, and take on the role of hosting a special event during the closing ceremony.

Meghan and Harry at the Invictus Games in The Hague last year. Picture: Sem van der Wal/ANP/AFP) / Netherlands OUT

Harry’s latest social media appearance comes just a day after he emerged in a rare Instagram post enjoying some downtime in Japan.

The duke, who was in Tokyo for the ISPS Sports Values Summit – Special Edition, was seen in a photo posted by longtime friend Figueras.

The fun picture showed the pair posing side-by-side in a retail store wearing aviator-style sunglasses.

Harry and Figueras have been shopping together. Picture: Instagram

Most interesting, though, was the caption Figueras wrote alongside the photo, which read, “Shopping for our wives”.

Figueras was referencing his own wife, Delfina Blaquier, and of course Harry’s wife Meghan.

The last time Figueras posted about Harry, prior to their Tokyo trip, was in September last year for the royal’s birthday. At the time he wrote, “Happy birthday! Love you!”

The timing of the post comes amid recent rumours that Harry and Meghan – who share two children Archie, 4, and Lilibet, 2 – have been taking time apart, rumours which insiders have swiftly denied.