Royal Tour, Day 12: Meghan and Harry attend Invictus Games closing ceremony in final day in Australia
MEGHAN Markle flawlessly delivered a “very personal” speech at the closing ceremony of the Invictus Games.
SHOWING her husband how it’s done, Meghan Markle has stolen the show at the Invictus Games closing ceremony in Sydney tonight where she gave a “very personal” speech in front of thousands.
The beaming Duchess Of Sussex smiled and took to the stage with an easy confidence as she addressed the 12,000-strong crowd at Qudos Bank Arena - her only speech in Australia while on the royal tour.
“It has been such an honour being here, supporting you and supporting my husband at the Invictus Games which he started four years ago,” she said to cheers.
The 37-year-old mum-to-be spoke passionately about the “camaradarie and close-knit sense of community” of the Games, before opening up to the crowd.
“On a very personal note I want to thank you all for welcoming me into the Invictus family,” she said.
"​The support system on the ground here at @InvictusSydney is something unlike any other. Because it’s not just cheering on your own, but realising that by the end of this week, ‘your own’ becomes everyone in the Invictus family." — The Duchess of Sussex #IG2018 pic.twitter.com/F958H2YpQ1
— Kensington Palace (@KensingtonRoyal) October 27, 2018
“I’m not sure if many of you know this but a few years ago, before I met my husband, I had the incredible honour of meeting troops deployed all over the world from the UK, Afghanistan and several other countries.
MEGHAN AND HARRY’S CLOSING CEREMONY SPEECHES IN FULL
“In travelling to these military bases, I was given a very special glimpse into the lives of those who serve our countries. I was able to see the unshakeable bond between servicemen and women on the ground together, but at the same time to feel the palpable longing for family and friends while deployed. Once home, the need for that anchor of support from loved ones, especially given how much it accelerates recovery and rebilltation is immeasurable. I’ve been reminded of those memories here.”
The former actress proved those years in Hollywood aren’t going to waste in her new role as a royal and delivered the speech with the charm she would’ve once reserved for award shows.
Appearing to know her speech by heart with zero stumbles, the Duchess charmed the arena as she smiled and paused for applause throughout.
Moments later, Prince Harry took to the stage alone to address the crowd with a slightly less polished speech.
“Hi guys,” he said, with his hand on his hip.
Officially closing the games, the Duke thanked Australians who “filled the stands and cheered on the sidelines.”
“You made the games your own by creating a typically Aussie atmosphere.”
The Prince spoke honestly about the importance of mental health and alluded to the struggles he has faced in his own life.
"The secret to the success of the #InvictusGames has been accepting that mental health is the real key to recovery." — The Duke of Sussex at the @InvictusSydney Closing Ceremony #IG2018 pic.twitter.com/xfJJMq49D9
— Kensington Palace (@KensingtonRoyal) October 27, 2018
“I’ve been there, you’ve been there, and we need to reach out to those who never thought they’d be in that place,” he said.
“Without it (mental health), we can’t thrive let alone survive.”
The royal couple
Mum-to-be Meghan glowed in a lapel halterneck gown from London designer Antonio Berardi. With her hair pulled back in a bun and showing off her bare shoulders in the olive frock, the Duchess smiled and bopped along to music with her husband as music played and Invictus competitors filed into the arena.
The Prince was dressed in a grey suit with a red poppy pinned to his lapel.
The closing of the games in Australia was celebrated with performances from Men At Work’s Colin Hay, Birds Of Tokyo, Starley and Aloe Blacc.
Governor Of NSW David Hurley told the crowd the Duke Of Sussex has made “three wise decisions” in his life - the first, of course, involving his wife.
“One: Your decision to marry your royal highness,” he said. “Two: your decision to bring the 2018 Invictus Games to Sydney. And three: your decision four years back to create the Invictus Games to assist our service men and women.”
A Spicy no-show
THERE was a surprising no-show at Qudos Bank Arena tonight.
Despite Victoria Beckham making the trip down under with her husband, games ambassador David Beckham, her name is missing on an official list of dignitaries attending the event.
Released to media this evening, the list stated David would attend the ceremony accompanied by his sons Romeo and Cruz. But despite both sons being included on the official list of attendees, only Romeo is on the crowd with David.
Many expected former Spice Girl Victoria to be by her husband’s side at Invictus events this week, but she hasn’t made an appearance.
David attended the wheelchair basketball final with his sons this morning, with his wife surprisingly absent.
Throughout the week Victoria has been papped getting her nails done with daughter Harper and attending a personal training session.
All eyes were on the Beckham’s this week after David described his marriage as “hard work” in an interview with The Sunday Project. Tabloids report the remark sparked tension between the couple as they prepared to make the trip down under.
The Beckham boys join a long list of dignitaries at tonight’s ceremony including Prime Minister Scott Morrison, NSW premier Gladys Berejiklian and Governor-General Sir Peter Cosgrove. Ian Thorpe, Gus Worland, comedian Hamish Blake and Roslyn and Gretel Packer are also on the guest list.
Prince Harry and Meghan Markle will both address the crowd of thousands tonight, with the Duchess set to pay tribute to the family and friends of Invictus competitors. It’s her first official speech in Australia on this tour.
Her only other address on the tour - to university students in Fiji - was slammed by her estranged sister Samantha Markle, who claimed the Duchess was lying about the struggles she faced paying for her own studies.
Final day of the Games
Earlier, the Duke and Duchess of Sussex have attended Sydney’s Olympic Park to enjoy the final day of the Invictus Games before they bid Australia adieu and fly to New Zealand on Sunday.
The couple had a rare morning off but the evening is packed with the closing ceremony, speeches and, even, the odd peck on the cheek which Megahn has been dishing out today.
The couple entered the Quaycentre stadium just after 2pm for the wheelchair basketball final. Cheerleaders danced and the crowd clapped as the finalists wheeled in for the final.
David Beckham was also in attendance but wife Victoria was notably absent.
Meghan and Harry tried to made a low key entry to the stadium and slipped into a back row of seating, behind war heroes, when all eyes should have been on the US v Netherlands basketball final.
But all eyes were on them and the stadium erupted into applause for the couple.
With her hair in a loose partial up do and wearing a maroon wrap top with peplum by popular luxury Australian label Scanlan Theodore, Meghan looked relaxed and cheered a break dancing display at half time on the basketball court. Harry wore an Invictus branded shirt. Both sported Remembrance Day poppies.
It’s clear who the Californian was rooting for with the Duchess cheering when the US scored a goal to streak ahead of the Netherlands.
Her barracking must have worked with the US winning 29 — 17. When the final whistle blew both Harry and Meghan jumped to their feet in a standing ovation.
MEGHAN HANDS OUT MEDALS … AND KISSES
Meghan gave Harry a playful pat on the shoulder as they crossed paths during the medal presentation for the wheelchair basketball finals.
She then drew cheers as she gave two of the Dutch athletes a kiss.
Meghan made light work of the slippery wooden basketball court in her high black stilettos.
Dancing in the crowd was Ehren Keys, 25, who said he was a huge sports and dance fan.
“Dancing is my life,” Ehren told news.com.au.
Sitting with his mother Amelda Keys, Ehren said he was lucky enough to get tickets to both basketball finals because his father was on the Invictus Games board of directors.
Ehren has competed in special Olympics events and plays tennis.
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