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Meghan Markle says she is missing kids Archie and Lilibet ‘so much’

The Duchess of Sussex has made a candid confession about her two young children as she attends the Invictus Games.

Meghan Markle praises Prince Harry in emotional Invictus Games introduction

The Duchess of Sussex has revealed how she is missing her two young children while attending the Invictus Games alongside Prince Harry.

Meghan made the confession to a British army veteran while reading to a group of 12 children at a private event held in the Zuiderpark, the Daily Mail reports.

Meghan, Duchess of Sussex, says she is missing her children. Picture: Chris Jackson/Getty Images for the Invictus Games Foundation
Meghan, Duchess of Sussex, says she is missing her children. Picture: Chris Jackson/Getty Images for the Invictus Games Foundation
The Duchess of Sussex mingles with athletes at the Invictus Games. Picture: Chris Jackson/Getty Images for the Invictus Games Foundation
The Duchess of Sussex mingles with athletes at the Invictus Games. Picture: Chris Jackson/Getty Images for the Invictus Games Foundation

She told James Stride that she had wanted to attend the reading as it meant she was around children, and they reminded her of her own, Archie and Lilibet, back home in California.

“Meghan was quite chatty and told me she was missing her children,’ said Mr Stride, one of the competitors in the games.

“She said she wanted to be with children as she was missing her own.”

The trip is the longest time the pair have been apart from their children. Picture: Chris Jackson/Getty Images for the Invictus Games Foundation
The trip is the longest time the pair have been apart from their children. Picture: Chris Jackson/Getty Images for the Invictus Games Foundation

The couple’s first trip to Europe is understood to be the longest they have been apart from their three-year-old son and ten-month-old daughter.

It came after the Duke and Duchess of Sussex wowed fans by sharing an intimate on-stage kiss at the Invictus Games opening ceremony - before the emotional prince delivered a heartfelt speech to more than 500 injured veteran competitors, telling them he would be proud if his son grew up to have their “character”.

The pair’s PDA moment came after a beaming Meghan took to the stage inside the Zuiderpark stadium in The Hague, the Netherlands, to introduce her “incredible” husband.

Meghan, Duchess of Sussex speaks on stage during the Invictus Games. Picture: Chris Jackson/Getty Images for the Invictus Games Foundation
Meghan, Duchess of Sussex speaks on stage during the Invictus Games. Picture: Chris Jackson/Getty Images for the Invictus Games Foundation
The pair gaze into each other’s eyes on stage during the Invictus Games Opening Ceremony at Zuiderpark. Picture: Chris Jackson/Getty Images for the Invictus Games Foundation
The pair gaze into each other’s eyes on stage during the Invictus Games Opening Ceremony at Zuiderpark. Picture: Chris Jackson/Getty Images for the Invictus Games Foundation
The Duke and Duchess of Sussex during the opening ceremony of the Invictus Games. Picture: Koen van Weel / ANP / AFP
The Duke and Duchess of Sussex during the opening ceremony of the Invictus Games. Picture: Koen van Weel / ANP / AFP

The Duchess of Sussex spoke of her “love and respect”’ for Prince Harry before mentioning their two young children and saying she could “not be prouder of my husband”.

Meghan opted for understated elegance at the event in a white top, high waisted black trousers and a gold Cartier necklace.

The Duchess told the audience Prince Harry had spent “many late nights and early mornings” planning for the games, which he founded in 2014.

The pair kiss on-stage at the Invictus Games. Picture: Chris Jackson/Getty Images for the Invictus Games Foundation
The pair kiss on-stage at the Invictus Games. Picture: Chris Jackson/Getty Images for the Invictus Games Foundation

After thanking the veterans present for their military service, she said: “Now it is my distinguished honour to introduce someone who I think you’ll be excited to hear from.

“He has spent many late nights and early mornings planning for these games to make them as perfect as possible for each of you.

A radiant Meghan at the opening ceremony at Zuiderpark in The Hague, Netherlands. Picture: Chris Jackson/Getty Images for the Invictus Games Foundation
A radiant Meghan at the opening ceremony at Zuiderpark in The Hague, Netherlands. Picture: Chris Jackson/Getty Images for the Invictus Games Foundation
Meghan cuts an elegant figure. Picture: Chris Jackson/Getty Images for the Invictus Games Foundation
Meghan cuts an elegant figure. Picture: Chris Jackson/Getty Images for the Invictus Games Foundation

“I could not love and respect him more and I know many of you feel the same because he is your fellow veteran having served two tours of Afghanistan, and ten years of military service and the founder of Invictus Games and the father to our two little ones, Archie and Lili.

“Please welcome my incredible husband, Prince Harry, the Duke of Sussex.’

Prince Harry took to the stage and kissed Meghan as he took the microphone out of her hand. He smiled as she returned to her seat and said: “Thank you my love”.

Megan holds Prince Harry’s hand during the opening ceremony. Picture: Koen van Weel / ANP / AFP
Megan holds Prince Harry’s hand during the opening ceremony. Picture: Koen van Weel / ANP / AFP

The Duke of Sussex referenced his son Archie in his speech, saying his son one day wanted to be an astronaut and another day a pilot.

He then added that some days Archie wanted to be Kwazii, a daredevil cat from the cartoon TV cartoon series Octonauts.

“If you are laughing, then you have seen it,” Harry told the audience.

Meghan and Harry on day one of the Invictus Games. Picture: Chris Jackson/Getty Images for the Invictus Games Foundation
Meghan and Harry on day one of the Invictus Games. Picture: Chris Jackson/Getty Images for the Invictus Games Foundation

He continued: “But I remind him no matter what you want to be when you grow up it is your character that matters most and nothing would make his mum and me prouder than to see him have the character of what we see before us today.”

Earlier, Meghan sported a casual look as she met with athletes and waved to cheering American spectators.

The Duchess of Sussex wears earrings from Serena Williams’ collection. Picture: Chris Jackson/Getty Images for the Invictus Games Foundation
The Duchess of Sussex wears earrings from Serena Williams’ collection. Picture: Chris Jackson/Getty Images for the Invictus Games Foundation

The Duchess wore a black double breasted jacket and sunglasses from Celine with three-quartyet length jeans.

She accessorised her look with Serena Williams Starburst Stud Earrings, from her best friend’s collection.

It comes after the Sussexes held talks with Prince Charles before meeting the Queen at Windsor Castle.

Originally published as Meghan Markle says she is missing kids Archie and Lilibet ‘so much’

Original URL: https://www.themercury.com.au/entertainment/harry-and-meghan-kiss-at-opening-ceremony-of-invictus-games/news-story/6dba202e47588014c13ac9ab14d4d284