Live updates as Prince Harry opens Invictus Games
MAILONLINE BLOG: Follow live updates from the Invictus Games 2025 opening ceremony in Vancouver founded by Prince Harry.
Published: 20:07 GMT, 8 February 2025 | Updated: 22:28 GMT, 8 February 2025
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The 2025 Invictus Games in the cities of Vancouver and Whistler, Canada, begin today, with an opening ceremony of two-and-a-half hours, starting at 9pm GMT.Â
The nine-day sporting event - created by Prince Harry in 2014 for wounded, injured and sick servicemen and women -Â will see more than 500 competitors from 23 countries come together.Â
From today until February 16, athletes will compete in the games' core sports - indoor rowing, sitting volleyball, swimming, wheelchair rugby and wheelchair basketball.Â
But this year, the Games will also feature new winter sports: Alpine skiing and snowboard, Nordic skiing and biathlon, skeleton - a form of sledding - and wheelchair curling.Â
Coldplay's Chris Martin, Nelly Furtado and Katy Perry are all due to perform at the opening ceremony tonight in front of a sell-out crowd of 40,000 spectators.Â
And the Duke and Duchess of Sussex are also due to make an appearance together at the event. Â
Follow along for live updates on the opening ceremony.Â
Live updates belowÂ
Coldplay frontman Chris Martin takes to the stage to sing poem Invictus Games are named after
By Paul Thompson
British artist and Coldplay star Chris Martin took to the stage at the opening ceremony with a full choir, orchestra and military band to sing a song version of the poem the Invictus Games were named after.
The poem was written by British poet William Ernest Henley in 1875 and is titled 'Invictus', which means 'unconquered' in Latin.
With two back up singers and dressed all in black he stood in the centre of podium to sing.
Martin joked to the crowd that it was so cold inside the stadium that it was 'like playing a concert in a 'frozen food section.'
Martin also performed the famous Coldplay hits Higher Power and Viva La Vida, while playing acoustic guitar.
Servicemen and women athletes danced enthusiastically while he performed.
The poem he sung a version goes:
Out of the night that covers me,
Black as the pit from pole to pole,
I thank whatever gods may be
For my unconquerable soul.
In the fell clutch of circumstance
I have not winced nor cried aloud.
Under the bludgeonings of chance
My head is bloody, but unbowed.
Beyond this place of wrath and tears
Looms but the Horror of the shade,
And yet the menace of the years
Finds and shall find me unafraid.
It matters not how strait the gate,
How charged with punishments the scroll,
I am the master of my fate,
I am the captain of my soul.
Premier of British Columbia: 'I'll tell you as a politician, it doesn't matter what the politicians say'
By Sophie Carlin
Premier of British Columbia David Eby gave a speech at the opening ceremony, saying: 'I'll tell you as a politician, it doesn't matter what the politicians say.'
He had to pause his speech because there was such enormous applause from the stadium at this.
It came in the context of his reminder to Canadians and Americans in the audience that they were in things together - despite the strained state of relations between their two nations.
Our reporter has more on the current trade war between Canada and the USA:
Canadian singer-songwriter Nelly Furtado takes to the stage
By Sophie Carlin
The artist, who has sold more than 45million records, is one of the most sucessful Canadian artists. She took to the stage in an all-black ensemble, starting with one of her most famous hits, I'm Like A Bird.
She was joined onstage by Indigenous blind music producer and recording artist Mattmac. The rapper has had more than 30million streams across all platforms.
Canada's governor general gives an impassioned opening address
By Sophie Carlin
Her Excellency the Right Honourable Mary Simon gave a speech to open the ceremony. She is Canada's first Indigenous governor general.
Meghan whips out the pompoms
By Sophie Carlin
The Duchess of Sussex got into the festive spirit of the Games, whipping out blue pompoms to show her support for the servicemen and women entering the stadium.
Parade of national teams comes to a close
By Sophie Carlin
The national teams entered the stadium to a lively audience response in Vancouver (pictured, the Swiss, French and Australian teams). Ukrainian athletes (top picture) got a particularly loud cheer and an incredibly emotional standing ovation.
UK team enters the stadium to standing ovation from the Sussexes
By Paul Thompson
As the UK team's entrance was announced a giant screen in the stadium cut to a shot of Harry and Meghan smiling and waving from the stands.
Harry wore a dark suit while Meghan was wrapped up against the cold in a white coat.
They sat in front of one of the leaders of the indigenous people on whose land the games are being held in Vancouver and Whistler.
Meghan whipped out her phone to record the boisterous atmosphere in the stadium.
Prince shows off his dance moves ahead of the Invictus Games
By Sophie Carlin
Prince Harry showed off his skills on the dancefloor as he and Meghan Markle met with competitors ahead of this year's Invictus Games.
The Duke of Sussex showed off his dancing skills as he met members of the Canadian team taking part in this year's sporting event.
He also hugged a female competitor as he and Meghan had a breakfast meeting ahead of the opening ceremony.
The couple were warmly greeted by the Canadian team with Meghan posting video of the encounter to her Instagram story - complete with Harry seemingly attempting to do the 'twist'.
Our reporter has more here:
Harry and Meghan spotted watching on from the audience
By Sophie Carlin
Harry and Meghan beamed from the audience as they watched the opening ceremony at the BC Place stadium in Vancouver. The Duchess of Sussex wore a white belted wool coat for the occasion.
National teams arrive to cheers from the stadium
By Paul Thompson
The opening ceremony began with a parade of nations taking part in the week long event.
Germany, who hosted the 2023 games in Dusseldorf were first to enter the BC Place arena.
Two competitors from Team Afghan were given a huge cheer, but the loudest noise was reserved for the host nation Canada.
Giant inflatables of a whale and dolphin hovered above the military veterans from the ceiling of the stadium with the sea creatures signifying Vancouver's links to the Pacific Ocean.
Star-studded opening ceremony line-up personally chosen by Harry
By Sophie Carlin
Coldplay frontman Chris Martin will join the likes of Katy Perry and Nelly Furtado to perform at tonight's Invictus Games opening ceremony.
They will be joined by rising American popstar Noah Kahan and Canadian singer-songwriter Rozane Bruneau.
And it appears Prince Harry chose them personally, with Robyn McVicker, chief operating officer of the Invictus Games, telling PEOPLE magazine he had 'input' in the headlining acts.
Our reporter has more:
What are the Invictus Games and when were they set up?
By Sophie Carlin
When returning from deployment in Afghanistan, Prince Harry watched the coffin of a Danish soldier be repatriated alongside three injured British soldiers. It made a real impact on him. He then visited the Warrior Games in 2013, an American competition which had wounded servicemen and women compete in adapted sport as part of their road to recovery. As a result, he was inspired to create his own international version of the tournament â the Invictus Games. The first one was held at the Copperbox Arena, in Londonâs Olympic Park, in 2014.
Since then, the competition has been held biennially â apart from a hiatus due to Covid in 2020 â in Florida, Sydney, the Hague and Dusseldorf. With this yearâs competition in Vancouver and Whistler, the Games has now been hosted in Canada twice â the third edition of the tournament was held in Toronto in 2017.
Meghan posts to Instagram story as pair meet sport stars
By Paul Thompson
Prince Harry showed off his dancing skills as he met members of the Canadian team taking part in the Invictus Games.
He also hugged a female competitor as he and Meghan had a breakfast meeting ahead of the opening ceremony.
The couple were warmly greeted by the Canadian team with Meghan posting video of the encounter to her Instagram story - complete with Harry seemingly attempting to do the 'twist'.
Harry and Meghan couldnât resist handing out hugs as they spent time hearing about how many of the competitors have overcome adversity to make the games.
Exclusive:Prince Harry and Meghan Markle get set for a warm welcome as they arrive for the Invictus Games
By Paul Thompson
Prince Harry and Meghan Markle might be getting the cold shoulder in California, but they can expect a much warmer welcome in Canada upon arriving for the Invictus Games.
Despite the freezing conditions they are likely to be welcomed by locals whose enthusiasm for the couple is in stark contrast to those across the border in the US.
The Duke and Duchess of Sussex's popularity has taken a nosedive with the US media turning against them. Residents in the super rich enclave of Montecito where they live in a ÂŁ10m mansion have also reportedly been less than enthralled by their presence.
Here is our exclusive story with more:
Exclusive:Harry and Meghan arrived at their ÂŁ5,000-a-night hotel by private jet
By Paul Thompson
Prince Harry was all smiles as he arrived at his five-star hotel for the start of the Invictus Games last night.
He grinned broadly from the back seat with his wife Meghan, who was casually dressed in a blue top and brown coat, as they arrived at the ultra luxurious Fairmont Pacific Rim hotel.
The Duke and Duchess of Sussex will be enjoying 'rock star' status during their stay in Vancouver after booking a ÂŁ5,000 a night suite that comes with its own private elevator and rooftop patio.
Here is our exclusive story for more:
Meghan made impromptu speech at private Invictus Games event yesterday
By Paul Thompson
Meghan Markle gave an impromptu speech at a private Invictus Games event to say how she feels 'at home' in Canada and praised her husband for his dedication to the sporting event for disabled military veterans.
After giving Harry a intimate kiss on stage she took the microphone to talk about the importance of the event - and how their children in California were fully aware of what the game mean to the family.
She told an audience of military veterans and their families how much the Games meant to her husband saying they were his 'family'.
Here is our story with more:
Build-up to opening ceremony of Invictus Games 2025 begins
By Sophie Carlin
Hello and welcome to MailOnline's live coverage of the opening ceremony of the Invictus Games 2025, which is due to start at 9pm GMT.
Coldplay's Chris Martin, Nelly Furtado and Katy Perry are all set to perform at the BC Place stadium in Vancouver tonight in front of a sell-out crowd of 40,000 spectators.
And the Duke and Duchess of Sussex are also due to make an appearance together at the event.
Stick with us as we bring you the latest updates.
Chris MartinPrince HarryMeghan Markle
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