Meghan Markle lands in Germany for Invictus Games
Meghan lands in Germany for Invictus Games: Duchess of Sussex is pictured beaming as she arrives at Dusseldorf before going to private event with husband Prince Harry and families of UK team tonight
- Duchess of Sussex flew from Los Angeles to Dusseldorf via London Heathrow
- She will be reunited with husband Harry as they attend Invictus Games event
Meghan Markle beamed as she arrived in Germany today to be reunited with her husband Prince Harry at the Invictus Games after flying in from Los Angeles.
The Duchess of Sussex was photographed smiling and wearing oversized dark sunglasses and a patterned scarf as sat in the back seat of a luxury Range Rover.
She caught an overnight flight from Los Angeles to Heathrow and spent less than two hours in the UK before getting a connecting British Airways plane to Dusseldorf.
It was her first transatlantic journey since flying to London for the Queen’s funeral last September – and it means she will be with Harry for his 39th birthday on Friday.
The 42-year-old arrived in Germany just after 4pm local time and was whisked away from a VIP terminal to the five-star Hyatt Regency hotel where she will see Harry.
Her bodyguard sat in the front seat of the vehicle. The Duchess was then driven into an underground car park at the hotel after 20-minute drive from the airport.
Meghan was followed into the car park in a Volkswagen SUV where the couple’s burly bodyguard, former Secret Service agent Chris Sanchez, was a passenger.
Tonight, the couple will attend a reception for friends and families of competitors from the 21 countries taking part. Aides have not revealed any details of the private event, but it is expected to be very informal with children also attending.
Those invited are all part of the UK Invictus family with many flying out together on a RAF flight from Birmingham. Meghan will go straight to the private event from the Hyatt hotel, where she is booked into the presidential suite with Harry.
Meanwhile organisers said a severe weather warning was in place for Dusseldorf tonight with heavy rain and thunderstorms expected from 6pm to midnight. They said in a post on X: ‘Please avoid the outside areas in the Invictus Games Park.’
The Duchess of Sussex smiles after arriving at Dusseldorf Airport in Germany this afternoon
Meghan wears oversized dark sunglasses and a patterned scarf in the car in Dusseldorf today
The Duke has been a big supporter of the UK team and has posed for dozens of selfies with competitors and their relatives – as well as young children in attendance.
Friends and family from other nations have also been invited to the reception. A source told MailOnline: ‘It is a very casual event, and not a formal sit down meal.’
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The venue is being kept a closely guarded secret with loved ones of competitors being bussed in on a fleet of coaches.
In Dusseldorf today, Harry watched a wheelchair basketball match between Team UK and Ukraine with his friend JJ Chalmers. He was seen in animated conversation with the former marine who competed in the first Invictus Games in London in 2014.
Chalmers suffered serious injuries during a bomb blast in 2011 while in the Royal Marines and based in Helmand. He lost two fingers and his right elbow disintegrated.
Harry was also pictured speaking with his former ‘programme co-ordinator’ Beth Herlihy, who in 2016 was hired as an events manager with the Royal Foundation, the joint charitable vehicle for the Sussexes, Prince William and Kate.
After the Sussexes split from the foundation in 2018, Ms Herlihy remained with Harry and Meghan until Megxit in 2020 – but is now the co-founder and partner of Herlihy Loughran, an advisory partnership linking influencers to good causes.
After attending the indoor rowing, Harry is due to return to his hotel for the arrival of wife Meghan. Earlier, Harry was back out and about again and had a spring in his step as he made a surprise appearance at a marquee for competitors to mingle.
Flanked by his bodyguard, he strode into the Team Respect tent and took off his sunglasses as he was introduced to a senior member of the German military.
The Team Respect area allows competitors to relax away from the events, and Harry chatted to volunteers on stands where they can pick up Invictus Games souvenirs. The marquee is operated by the Bundeswehr, the German military, which organised the games. A big crowd of German soldiers waited in the heat for Harry’s arrival.
But some were disappointed that they did not get to see Meghan. Last night, she left Archie and Lilibet at home and was swept into LAX in a white luxury BMW, hours after being spotted behind the wheel of her $140,000 black Range Rover grabbing a burger from In-N-Out close to the Sussexes’ $14.6million Montecito home.
Meghan Markle at Los Angeles Airport last night as she begins her trip to the Invictus Games
Meghan is pictured arriving at LAX last night ahead of her flight to London Heathrow Airport
Meghan and her bodyguard as they leave their luxury BMW at Los Angeles Airport last night
Meghan points towards the terminal at LAX and smiles as she walks in for her flight last night
Meghan appears to share a laugh with two aides as they carry her belongings at LAX last night
The Duchess of Sussex carries her handbag last night which contains a file and a silk scarf
The Duchess has embarked on a six-day trip to Europe after arriving at LAX last night
The Duchess of Sussex leaves LAX last night and is expected to be in Germany this afternoon
After arriving at the airport at just before 6pm local time (2am UK time), Meghan grinned as she got out of her limousine wearing $770 ivory Valentino mules, black baggy three-quarter-length trousers, a V-necked long-sleeved top and oversized $500 Celine sunglasses on her head while carrying a trademark hat.
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She was clutching a $2,650 Goyard tote bag while her solo bodyguard was lugging a rucksack and dark suit carrier that may have contained one of Meghan’s dresses.
The Duchess will support Harry and the athletes at events before his big speech at the closing ceremony, where she may also address the crowd.
Her absence from the start of the event ‘helps’ him, it was claimed today.
Speaking on GB News, broadcaster Eamonn Holmes said that Harry going solo shows the world his personality.
He said: ‘He knows what he’s talking about, he’s very credible and does it very well. And she’s [Meghan Markle] not there. All of which helps.’
Harry kissed Team USA’s Davey Martinez on the head last night as he presented the team with their gold medals after they beat Team UK in the Invictus wheelchair rugby final.
Harry had a front row seat next to Royal Marine veteran Mark Ormrod whom the prince has previously described the triple amputee as Britain’s answer to Superman.
The Duke showed his excitement as he clapped and cheered along with the noisy crowd.
The final took place in a raucous atmosphere at the Merkur Spiel-Arena in Dusseldorf as both sets of fans cheered on the competitors.
Prince Harry speaks at the Merkur Spiel-Arena in Dusseldor today with his ex-‘programme co-ordinator’ Beth Herlihy, who in 2016 was hired as an events manager with the Royal Foundation
The Duke of Sussex reacts as he watches the wheelchair basketball competition during the Invictus Games at the Merkur Spiel-Arena in Dusseldorf today
Prince Harry and JJ Chalmers during the wheelchair basketball at the Invictus Games today
The Duke of Sussex reacts as he watches the wheelchair basketball in Dusseldorf today
Prince Harry hugs JJ Chalmers as he arrives for the wheelchair basketball in Dusseldorf today
The Duke of Sussex reacts as he watches the wheelchair basketball in Dusseldorf today
Prince Harry and JJ Chalmers during the wheelchair basketball at the Invictus Games today
Prince Harry and JJ Chalmers during the wheelchair basketball at the Invictus Games today
The Duke of Sussex reacts as he watches the wheelchair basketball in Dusseldorf today
The Duke of Sussex poses for a photo at the wheelchair basketball in Dusseldorf today
The Duke of Sussex looks at his phone as he watches the wheelchair basketball today
Prince Harry and JJ Chalmers during the wheelchair basketball at the Invictus Games today
The Duke of Sussex reacts as he watches the wheelchair basketball in Dusseldorf today
The Duke of Sussex poses for a photo at the wheelchair basketball in Dusseldorf today
The Duke of Sussex reacts as he watches the wheelchair basketball in Dusseldorf today
The Duke of Sussex reacts as he watches the wheelchair basketball in Dusseldorf today
Prince Harry and JJ Chalmers during the wheelchair basketball at the Invictus Games today
Prince Harry and JJ Chalmers during the wheelchair basketball at the Invictus Games today
Prince Harry and JJ Chalmers during the wheelchair basketball at the Invictus Games today
The Duke of Sussex reacts as he watches the wheelchair basketball in Dusseldorf today
Prince Harry and JJ Chalmers during the wheelchair basketball at the Invictus Games today
The Duke of Sussex reacts as he watches the wheelchair basketball in Dusseldorf today
He also left two boys delighted yesterday after giving them each a high-five at the games.
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The Duke walked alongside his security team – including ex-US presidential bodyguard Chris Sanchez and ex-Metropolitan Police officer Dave Langdown – when the two boys held out their hands for a high-five.
After Harry happily obliged, the children – one of whom was draped in a Union Jack – jumped up and down in excitement, with one raising his fist in celebration.
The prince was given a hero’s welcome in Germany by those attending the annual competition he founded in 2014 for wounded and disabled military veterans.
Harry, who is fifth in line to the throne, also posed for photos with competitors and was in a boisterous mood as he joined in chanting.
The duke was cheered by the crowd as he took his seat in the grandstand at the Merkur Spiel-Arena.
As competitors participated in a 200-metre race, Harry could be seen cupping his hands to his mouth and cheering along with the crowd.
He sat next to Yulia Laputina, Ukraine’s minister of veterans affairs, who wore a green military uniform and draped her country’s flag over her shoulders.
Harry said he plans to attend as many events as he can during the week-long competition.
Prince Harry smiles as he attends day three of the Invictus Games in Dusseldorf today
The Duke of Sussex waves during a walkabout at the Merkur Spiel-Arena in Dusseldorf today
Prince Harry arrives at the TRA/Rehabilitation Expo on day three of the Invictus Games today
The Duke of Sussex waves in Dusseldorf during day three of the Invictus Games today
Prince Harry arrives at the TRA/Rehabilitation Expo on day three of the Invictus Games today
Prince Harry arrives at the TRA/Rehabilitation Expo on day three of the Invictus Games today
The Duke of Sussex in Dusseldorf during day three of the Invictus Games today
Prince Harry arrives at the TRA/Rehabilitation Expo on day three of the Invictus Games today
The Duke of Sussex in Dusseldorf during day three of the Invictus Games today
At the wheelchair basketball event, there was a revolving door of dignitaries sitting next to the prince, including Nasa administrator Bill Nelson.
Harry’s wife Meghan is expected to meet some of the children attending the event when she arrives at the games later this week.
She and Harry will be staying in the presidential suite at the waterfront hotel where on Friday they will celebrate his 39th birthday.
This year’s competition will run until Saturday.
A total of 550 sick, wounded and injured former and current military personnel from 21 countries are taking part in ten team and individual sports.
Meghan pulls up in her executive car at Los Angeles Airport last night
Meghan gets out of the car at LAX as a member of staff gets her belongings from the boot
The Duchess, pictured at LAX last night, will be away from her two children until the weekend
The Duchess, seen at LAX, has been a big supporter of Invictus since she fell in love with Harry
The Duchess, seen at LAX last night, is expected to address crowds at some point in Germany
Meghan wears white flats and black baggy three-quarter-length trousers at LAX last night
Meghan, pictured at LAX yesterday evening, travels to London with a single security guard
Staff at LAX lead the Duchess of Sussex into the departures area of the airport last night
The mother of two arrived at LAX last night without Archie and Lilibet, who are staying at home
The Duchess is checked in at LAX yesterday evening after being swept in via a VIP entrance
It comes after Meghan waited for her food at In-N-Out behind the wheel of her $140,000 black Range Rover close to the couple’s $14.6million Montecito home before heading to the airport
Team UK, captained by Royal Navy submarine officer Lieutenant Commander James Rogers, has been supported by the Royal British Legion in partnership with the Ministry of Defence.
Harry revealed on Saturday at the opening ceremony that Meghan will be cheering for Nigeria at the games this year after discovering that she is of Nigerian descent.
The duke said that while the Sussexes do not ‘play favourites’, the discovery means things are likely to get ‘a little bit more competitive’ between the couple.
Meanwhile, Harry took part in a penalty shootout on German TV on Saturday – and lost without scoring a goal.
The Duke was involved in the challenge on the ZDF TV channel alongside German defence minister Boris Pistorius and two athletes from the Invictus Games.
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