Prince Harry launches Invictus Games schools program in Vancouver without Meghan Markle

Prince Harry has shared a heartfelt message after surprising students without Meghan Markle, as he hopes to make a project close to his heart go global. See photos.

Prince Harry is expanding his Invictus Games mission throughout Canada with the launch of a new schools program. The royal met children at the Seaforth Armoury in Vancouver, the city that will play host to the 2025 Invictus Games along with ski resort Whistler.

Continuing his solo visit to Vancouver without wife Meghan Markle, Harry visited the historic military facility, which houses the Canadian Forces’ archives, to join students in a range of activities.

A cheeky boy makes the bunny ears/peace sign as Prince Harry poses for a group photo in Vancouver, Canada. Picture: Getty Images

The new online program will make educational resources and lessons on the Invictus Games available for teachers and students in both primary and secondary school.

“Seeing them learn about the Invictus Games has had a profound impact on me because this is where Invictus starts to go even wider outside of the Invictus community, into schools in Canada and hopefully around the world,” Harry said in a speech shared on X.

Harry mingled with primary school students during the Invictus Games 2025 School Program launch event at Seaforth Armoury in Vancouver, Canada. Picture: Getty Images

The royal beamed as he chatted with children at the schools launch. Picture: Getty Images

The royal also joined children for a round of sitting volleyball, one of the Invictus Games’ original sports, during his visit.

He chatted with children who were studying the poem Invictus by William Ernest Henley, for which the games are named, and took part in a drawing and colouring exercise.

Secondary school students also had a meet and greet with the royal. Picture: Getty Images

The Duke of Sussex showed his paternal side during the event. Picture: Getty Images

Harry, a former captain in the British Army, created the Invictus Games for wounded, injured and sick service personnel and veterans in 2014.

The youngest son of King Charles is visiting Vancouver to promote the 2025 Invictus Games, which will take place in Vancouver and Whistler from February 8 to 16.

Harry also gave a speech to launch the Invictus Games 2025 School Program. Picture: Getty Images via AFP

HARRY’S SURPRISE SOLO APPEARANCE

Prince Harry’s schools launch came the day after his surprise appearance at one of Canada’s biggest sporting events.

He attended the Grey Cup in Vancouver, where he was spotted hanging out on the sidelines, dressed in a long coat to ward off the cold weather, and waving to football fans.

His solo appearance comes just days after Meghan was spotted partying in LA with friends at a glam event in honour of a haircare range she has invested in.

Prince Harry acknowledges fans prior to the start of a TV interview before the start of the 2024 Grey Cup in Vancouver, Canada. Picture: Getty Images via AFP

Prince Harry, Amar Doman, owner of the BC Lions, and Wenshuang Nie, a competitor in the Invictus Games, before the start of the 2024 Grey Cup. Picture: Getty Images

The royal waves to the crowd in Vancouver. Picture: Getty Images

Vancouver holds a special place in the hearts of the Sussexes as they would frequently meet there in the early days of their relationship when Meghan was filming the TV show suits.

When the pair abruptly left the UK in 2020 amid the fallout of Megxit, they stayed in a luxury mansion on Vancouver Island.

PORTUGAL BECKONS AFTER TRUMP WIN

It comes amid reports Prince Harry and Meghan may be planning a huge lifestyle change after Donald Trump’s election victory.

The pair are likely to be relying more heavily on their new luxury property in Portugal in light of the President-elect’s win, according to a royal expert.

Former BBC royal correspondent Jennie Bond believes that Meghan and Harry are likely to stay in the US, despite Mr Trump’s victory.

Ms Bond said the pair’s children, Archie and Lilibet, are settled in Montecito and their parents would not want to disrupt their lives, GB News reported.

However, they would most likely be using their new $7 million luxury home in the billionaire’s playground of Melides more frequently.

The Duke and Duchess of Sussex may be spending more time in Portugal. Picture: AFP

She said: “My guess, though, is that they will let the dust settle and see how things pan out – they seem very happy in their Californian lifestyle and I’m sure they don’t want to unsettle their children unnecessarily.”

Ms Bond added: “They do now have a bolt hole in Portugal. It’s probably much more than a bolt hole – it’s undoubtedly a very beautiful property and was maybe sourced by Eugenie’s husband, Jack.

“So, if things get tricky or uncomfortable in the States, Europe may see a little more of Harry and Meghan and their children.”

The President-elect has previously weighed in on Harry’s visa application, claiming the Biden administration had been “too gracious” to the royal after he admitted to drug use.

“I wouldn’t protect him. He betrayed the Queen. That’s unforgivable,” Mr Trump previously told The Express.

“He would be on his own if it was down to me.”

MEGHAN PUTS PRESSURE ON HARRY

Meghan has demanded Harry stop messaging his sister-in-law Princess Catherine, it has been claimed.

The flurry of texts between the pair is said to have started when Catherine urged husband Prince William to extend an olive branch to Harry, Closer magazine reports.

Prince Harry and Princess Catherine were close in the years before his marriage. Picture: Getty Images

A source told the magazine: “Catherine’s found it heartbreaking the change in William and has repeatedly urged him to try to deal with his deep-rooted pain and find forgiveness in his heart for Harry so that they can both start to repair their relationship and move on.”

Meghan, the magazine claimed, is said to be “furious and has very firmly let it be known, through Harry, that she wants Kate to stop messaging him.”

MEGHAN PARTIES ON NIGHT OUT

Pictures have emerged of Meghan Markle partying with her friends on a glam night out in Los Angeles without Harry.

Meghan Markle, Serge Normant, Kadi Lee and Myka Harris attend the launch of Highbrow Hippie Haircare & Wellness at Gjelina in Venice. Picture: Getty Images

The Duchess of Sussex hugs Kadi Lee at the launch. Picture: Getty Images

Meghan was attending the event without Prince Harry. Picture: Getty Images

The Duchess of Sussex oozed glamour at the glitzy launch party in LA’s hip neighbourhood of Venice, which she attended solo, for the Highbrow Hippie hair wellness range, which she has invested in.

The haircare range is the brainchild of Meghan’s longtime friend, A-lister hairdresser Kadi Lee.

Wearing a strapless black top, a beaming Meghan danced with her friends to a gospel choir.

Meghan was joined by hair stylist Serge Normant, who famously styled her hair at her St George’s chapel wedding ceremony in 2018.

Originally published as Prince Harry launches Invictus Games schools program in Vancouver without Meghan Markle