Prince Harry, Meghan Get Warm Welcome During Freezing Invictus Games Ceremony in Whistler

Summary:

• Prince Harry and Meghan attended the Invictus Games welcome ceremony in Whistler, B.C.
• Harry encouraged athletes to enjoy the historic first winter edition of the Games amid Arctic outflow warning.
• The Games officially opened in co-host Vancouver on Saturday at BC Place, where Harry delivered a moving speech.

Prince Harry and Meghan, the Duke and Duchess of Sussex, were warmly welcomed in Whistler, B.C. (British Columbia), as they attended the welcome ceremony celebrating the Invictus Games. 

Harry founded the Games in London in 2014. This year’s competition is particularly notable because it marks the first time winter adaptive sports have been included. 

Athletes will showcase their skills in events such as alpine and cross-country skiing, snowboarding, biathlon, and skeleton.

“We Just Want You to Have the Best Time” 

Addressing the crowd, Harry encouraged the competitors, including wounded, injured, and sick veterans, as well as active service members, to embrace the experience and enjoy themselves. 

With a touch of humor, he referred to the Games as “measured risk” and emphasized the significance of this event.

We just want you to have the best time, Everybody needs to look after themselves, please. This is our first winter Games. It’s historic.

During the ceremony, Harry entertained the crowd with lighthearted banter, even giving a shoutout to his “ginger friend“, Whistler Mayor Jack Crompton. 

The prince then playfully called out, “Are there any other gingers in the house?” and smiled as cheers erupted in response.

Keeping his remarks brief in the chilly weather, Harry promised not to let anyone freeze before a flyby of two Royal Canadian Air Force CF-18 fighter jets. 

He then invited Meghan to join him on stage. As she took his hand, she commented on the freezing temperatures before the couple waved to the cheering crowd and exited the stage.

Arctic Outflow Warning 

The ceremony took place under biting winter conditions, with an Arctic outflow warning in effect. Environment Canada had issued a bulletin cautioning about frostbite and hypothermia risks, with wind chills expected to make temperatures feel as low as -20°C overnight.

Harry was introduced by Canadian singer Michael Bublé, who praised the athletes as “real superheroes“.

The Games officially kicked off on Saturday in Vancouver with an opening ceremony at BC Place, where Harry delivered an emotional speech. 

The event featured performances by Katy Perry, Chris Martin, and Nelly Furtado.

Many of Whistler’s competition venues are the same ones used during the 2010 Winter Olympics, including the Whistler Sliding Centre, home to the world’s fastest bobsled track. 

Later on Monday, Harry and Meghan visited the skeleton final at this location.

During their visit, the couple also spent time with members of the UK team, pausing for photos. At one point, Harry was spotted playfully planting a kiss on a bald competitor’s head, prompting laughter from onlookers.

The Invictus Games will run until February 16, culminating in a closing ceremony at Vancouver’s Rogers Arena.