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The visit helped launch the Invictus Games school program
Published Nov 18, 2024 • Last updated 2 hours ago • 3 minute read
Prince Harry, The Duke of Sussex, engages with students at Vancouver’s Seaforth Armoury on November 18, 2024. Photo by Arlen Redekop /PNG
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Just one day after delighting fans at the Grey Cup, a highlight of Canadian football in Vancouver, Prince Harry took a more hands-on approach by joining local schoolchildren in a spirited game of sitting volleyball.
Arriving in British Columbia primarily to advocate for the Invictus Games—an initiative he founded nearly ten years ago to support wounded, injured, and sick veterans and service personnel—the Duke of Sussex is promoting the upcoming games scheduled to take place in Vancouver and Whistler in February.
He helped Invictus Games organizers unveil an educational program tailored for students ranging from kindergarten through Grade 12. This program, designed to provide essential resources regarding the games’ history and mission, will be accessible online to students and teachers alike.
The prince took part in lively interactions with both elementary and high school students at Vancouver’s Seaforth Armoury, involving himself in activities that included playing sitting volleyball and engaging with the famous poem “Invictus” by William Ernest Henley, after which the games are named. Students also participated in artistic drawing and coloring exercises intended to deepen their connection to the event.
Expressing his heartfelt appreciation for the day, Prince Harry remarked that his interactions with the students, athletes, and military personnel had a “profound impact” on him. He emphasized the importance of the school program in amplifying the message of the Invictus Games and its significance in the lives of those it represents.
“This is where Invictus starts to go even wider, outside of the Invictus community into schools in Canada and hopefully around the world as well,” he expressed passionately. “Seeing this program today in action, you can really feel the energy, the enthusiasm, and the learning happening in this room. So there’s a lot of excitement.”
The Invictus Games, slated to run from February 8 to 16, will feature competitors from 23 nations, a testament to its expanding global reach.
It will be Canada’s second time hosting the notable event—having previously taken place in Toronto in 2017—but this edition will mark a significant milestone as it introduces winter adaptive sports like alpine skiing, Nordic skiing, skeleton, and wheelchair curling.
Excited students attending Monday’s launch event were gifted tickets to the ceremony kick-starting the Games. The prince encouraged them to actively share the word about the event and its vital role as a platform showcasing the courageous achievements of wounded service members.
“For these individuals, for the challenges they have overcome, to be amongst team members again … wearing their flag on their chest or on their arm, coming out into a stadium full of tens of thousands of people cheering for them,” Prince Harry elaborated, conveying the emotional significance of the experience. “You need to understand what that means to them because that can be a life-altering moment.”
The event saw the attendance of several dignitaries, including Vancouver Mayor Ken Sim and Scott Moore, CEO of Invictus Games Vancouver Whistler. Mayor Sim addressed the students, underscoring the importance of acknowledging the sacrifices made by service members for the freedoms society enjoys.
“Kids, I think you need to know that we get to live the lives that we do — we get to play in the playgrounds and go to school — because of the sacrifices of so many people who put themselves in harm’s way so we can experience the freedoms that we have,” Sim shared earnestly. “I want you to think about them, and later on give them a big high-five and a big hug.”
Moore noted that Prince Harry’s direct engagement with the youth greatly enhanced the message of the Invictus Games, affirming the significance of the Duchess’s presence for the program’s launch. “No one carries this message better than the duke,” he declared. “Part of the goal of the Invictus Games is to increase awareness for service and gratitude for service, so the school program that we launched today is a part of that.”
On Sunday, the prince had made headlines with his surprise appearance at the Grey Cup game at BC Place Stadium, where he waved to enthusiastic fans and participated in an on-field interview prior to joining B.C. Lions owner Amar Doman
Prince Harry, The Duke of Sussex, interacts with students at Vancouver’s Seaforth Armoury on Nov. 18, 2024. Photo by Arlen Redekop /PNG
See more photos from Monday’s event at the Seaforth Armoury:
Prince Harry, The Duke of Sussex, shares a thumbs-up while engaging with students during his visit to Vancouver’s Seaforth Armoury on Nov. 18, 2024. Photo by Arlen Redekop /PNG Prince Harry, The Duke of Sussex, enjoys playful moments with the students at Vancouver’s Seaforth Armoury on Nov. 18, 2024. Photo by Arlen Redekop /PNG Prince Harry, The Duke of Sussex, shares a moment with Team Canada’s Robert Pullen, an Invictus Games athlete, during the impactful school program launch. Photo by Arlen Redekop /PNG Prince Harry, The Duke of Sussex, enthusiastically participates in sitting volleyball with students at Vancouver’s Seaforth Armoury on Nov. 18, 2024. Photo by Arlen Redekop /PNG Prince Harry, The Duke of Sussex, high-fives excited students at Vancouver’s Seaforth Armoury on Nov. 18, 2024. Photo by Arlen Redekop /PNG Prince Harry, The Duke of Sussex, interacts joyfully with students at Vancouver’s Seaforth Armoury on Nov. 18, 2024. Photo by Arlen Redekop /PNG Prince Harry, the Duke of Sussex, poses for photographs with students, creating memorable moments on Monday. Photo by DARRYL DYCK /THE CANADIAN PRESS Prince Harry, the Duke of Sussex, takes part in a sitting volleyball adaptive sport lesson with students from Shaughnessy Elementary School, emphasizing the program’s values during the launch event in Vancouver. Photo by DARRYL DYCK /THE CANADIAN PRESS Prince Harry, the Duke of Sussex, enthusiastically plays sitting volleyball with elementary school students during the Invictus Games 2025 School Program Launch Event at Seaforth Armoury in Vancouver. Photo by Ethan Cairns /Getty Images Prince Harry, the Duke of Sussex, engages meaningfully with elementary school students during the Invictus Games 2025 School Program Launch Event at Seaforth Armoury in Vancouver. Photo by Ethan Cairns /Getty Images Prince Harry, the Duke of Sussex, shares fun moments with elementary school students during the Invictus Games 2025 School Program Launch Event at Seaforth Armoury in Vancouver. Photo by Ethan Cairns /Getty Images Prince Harry, the Duke of Sussex, meets with elementary school students as part of an impactful event during the Invictus Games 2025 School Program Launch Event at Seaforth Armoury in Vancouver. Photo by Ethan Cairns /Getty Images Prince Harry, the Duke of Sussex, speaks directly to elementary school students, fostering a connection during the Invictus Games 2025 School Program Launch Event at Seaforth Armoury in Vancouver. Photo by Ethan Cairns /Getty Images
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How does Prince Harry believe the inclusion of winter adaptive sports will benefit athletes and the community at large?
**Interview with Prince Harry, The Duke of Sussex, following his visit to Vancouver’s Seaforth Armoury**
**Editor:** Thank you for joining us today, Your Royal Highness. You’ve just wrapped up an exciting day in Vancouver, engaging with students and launching the Invictus Games school program. What was it like to interact with the children and see their enthusiasm firsthand?
**Prince Harry:** Thank you for having me. It was truly an inspiring experience! The energy in the room was incredible. When I played sitting volleyball with the students and discussed the poem “Invictus,” I felt their enthusiasm and curiosity. It’s heartwarming to see young people connect with the values of resilience and teamwork that the Invictus Games represent.
**Editor:** Speaking of the Invictus Games, how do you envision this school program influencing students and enhancing their understanding of the Games and its mission?
**Prince Harry:** This program is crucial in broadening the reach of the Invictus Games. By integrating the history and essence of the Games into their education, we hope to foster a greater appreciation for the sacrifices made by service members. It’s about empowering students to share these stories, understand the journeys of competitors, and ultimately cultivate a sense of empathy and support for our heroes.
**Editor:** The upcoming Invictus Games will feature both summer and, for the first time, winter adaptive sports. How significant is this inclusion for athletes and the broader community?
**Prince Harry:** It’s a monumental step! Including winter sports like alpine skiing and wheelchair curling shows the breadth of opportunities for adaptive athletes. It not only celebrates their achievements but also highlights the diverse ways they can engage with sports. I’m optimistic that it will inspire many more individuals, both athletes and spectators, to recognize the strength within the community.
**Editor:** You mentioned the profound impact of your interactions today. Can you share a moment from your visit that particularly resonated with you?
**Prince Harry:** Absolutely. One moment that stood out was when I saw a group of students excitedly discussing their drawings inspired by the Games. Hearing their thoughts and creativity flourish was a reminder of why we do this. It’s about creating a dialogue that encourages understanding and support for those who have faced challenges. Moments like that make this work incredibly rewarding.
**Editor:** what message would you like to convey to the younger generation regarding the Invictus Games and the service members it represents?
**Prince Harry:** I want them to know that the Invictus Games are a celebration of courage, resilience, and community. These athletes are heroes who have faced tremendous challenges and are triumphing over adversity. I encourage young people to actively participate, learn about these stories, and remember that while the Games showcase their athleticism, they also highlight the importance of compassion and support for each other—something we all can contribute to in our daily lives.
**Editor:** Thank you, Your Royal Highness, for sharing your insights with us today. We look forward to seeing the positive impact of the Invictus Games school program in the coming months!
**Prince Harry:** Thank you! It’s a pleasure to be here, and I can’t wait for everyone to be part of the Games in February!