Prince Harry made his first public appearance since giving historic testimony against a prominent British publisher, showing his support for veterans at the Warrior Games in San Diego.
This annual adaptive sports tournament was initiated by the Department of Defense in 2010 and is aimed at supporting ill and injured active-duty service members as well as veterans.
The Duke of Sussex surprised attendees by appearing at the event. The Warrior Games shared photos on Twitter, showcasing Prince Harry’s interactions with athletes and their families. He also watched the Sitting Volleyball Finals, marking the conclusion of the 2023 Warrior Games.
Prince Harry has previously credited the Warrior Games as the inspiration for his Invictus Games, an international competition for wounded servicemen and women. The Invictus Games, first held in London in 2014, will take place next in Düsseldorf, Germany, in September. Harry, who served in the British Army for a decade and completed two tours in Afghanistan, expressed how witnessing the Warrior Games ignited a passion within him. He has observed the transformative power of sport in inspiring recovery and demonstrating a life beyond disability.
Video footage from the event captured Prince Harry engaging in conversations with other spectators during the Army vs. Marine Corps bronze medal match. He also posed for a photo with the gold medal-winning United States Special Operations Command sitting volleyball team.
The Warrior Games commenced on June 2 at Naval Air Station North Island, located within a reasonable distance from Prince Harry’s home in Montecito, California. He resides there with Meghan Markle and their children, Archie and Lilibet.