Prince Harry has spoken about the need for ‘family healing’ during his whistlestop trip to Canada without Meghan Markle.
The Duke of Sussex, 40, made the comments while in Vancouver to promote his Invictus Games, which will be held in the city in February.
Harry was all smiles as he was introduced to the crowd at the Grey Cup on Sunday. And speaking pitchside he talked about the power of Invictus, telling Canada’s The Sports Network (TSN): ‘It’s really an opportunity for the individuals themselves and their families to heal and rehabilitate’.
When Invictus started Harry in 2014 he was backed by his father, brother and sister-in-law, who stepped away after Megxit.
Royal biographer Tom Bower said Harry will be fully aware that his words about family and rehabilitation, albeit in the context of Invictus, will be seized on by those who believe it is a sign of an olive branch to his own British family.
But he added that this hope is ‘undermined’ by his own actions on TV and in his memoirs since Megxit – eroding trust with relatives, especially his brother William.
Experts say that an invite to Sandringham for Christmas for Harry and Meghan may never happen again. They are expected to miss the traditional royal gathering in Norfolk this December.
Prince Harry waves to fans prior to the start of a TV interview before the start of the 2024 Grey Cup at BC Place
There will be hopes of an olive branch from Montecito towards his own father, brother and sister-in-law
There have been persistent rumours that his cousin Zara Phillips and even the Princess of Wales have been trying to broker peace between Harry and William and their father.Â
One source even claimed that Meghan was keen for her husband to make peace.
Mr Bower is sure that the Duke of Sussex will not be going to Sandringham this Christmas, for example. Harry and Meghan have spent every Christmas in the US since 2020.
Royal expert Richard Fitzwilliams believes that it’s ‘likely’ they will never receive another invite from King Charles to spend Christmas with him due to the ‘huge rift’ between them – and a lack of trust.
‘Harry and Meghan spent Christmas at Sandringham in 2017, when they were engaged and Meghan was the first fiancée to receive an invitation, and were also there in 2018′, he said.
‘The memories they have shared on a couple of occasions – Meghan in the third episode of the Harry & Meghan Netflix documentary, and Harry on the Today programme – appear to have been fond.
‘Unfortunately these are not the only memories they have shared of the Royal Family, and the only sensible thing whilst a rift exists, and it is huge, is not to ask them, which is what has happened this year and what is likely to happen in the foreseeable future.’
MailOnline has asked the Sussexes to comment.
The upcoming Invictus Games will be its first winter sports event, running from February 8 to February 16 in Vancouver and the ski resort of Whistler.
‘It’s our 10-year anniversary this year, which is really exciting. It’s a sporting platform used for the rehabilitation and support for wounded soldiers, serving and veterans. We have 25 nations, growing all the time’, he said on Sunday night.
Harry had waved at fans and gave a cheery thumbs up to the crowd when he turned up to the match before the Toronto Argonauts took on the Winnipeg Blue Bombers.
The 40-year-old gave an interview to The Sports Network before being escorted away swiftly. He said he was ‘looking forward to the game getting started’.
But the Duchess of Sussex, who has attended the Invictus Games with Harry since 2017, did not accompany him during the promotional visit.
Meghan, 43, was pictured partying without her husband in Los Angeles on Thursday at the celeb-loved restaurant Gjelina where she supported the launch of her friend and A-lister hairdresser Kadi Lee’s new Highbrow Hippie hair wellness range.Â
The Duchess is an investor in Lee’s new collection.
Prince Harry waves to fans ahead of the game between Toronto Argonauts and Winnipeg blue Bombers at BC Place
The Duke of Sussex waved and gave a cheery thumbs up to the crowd when he turned up to the Grey Cup in Vancouver before the Toronto Argonauts took on the Winnipeg Blue Bombers
The 40-year-old gave an interview to The Sports Network before being escorted away swiftly
The Duchess of Sussex (pictured left), 43, supported her friend and A-lister hairdresser Kadi Lee (picture centre) in Venice, California on Thursday night at a glitzy launch event. Pictured right, celeb hairstylist Serge Normant
Prince Harry opened up in a emotional video about the ‘healing power of sport’ ahead of next year’s Invictus Games.
The Duke of Sussex released the message on the official account for the 2025 Games to be held in Vancouver, Canada, on X, formerly Twitter in September.
He told viewers: ‘Sport has the ability to heal, to change lives and to save lives.
Harry is patron of the Invictus Games which he established in 2014 as an international adaptive multi-sport event for wounded, injured, and sick servicemen and women.
Both serving troops and veterans are encouraged to compete as part of their recovery journeys.
Harry added in his direct address in the 117-second video: ‘For so many of these competitors, getting to the start line has been one of the hardest moments of their life.
‘But at the Games, their lives are changed. Watching these magical moments happen, and sport being the facilitator of that, is very, very special for all of us to witness.’
Earlier this summer the prince hailed the wounded, injured and sick serving UK personnel and veterans who are to take part in the 64-strong squad, made up of 60 competitors and four reserves.
They were named as Team UK for what is called the Invictus Games Vancouver Whistler scheduled to be held next February.
‘Team UK will join over 500 competitors from across 20 nations in this groundbreaking event that expands the range and profile of winter adaptive sports.
Prince Harry, Amar Doman, owner of the BC Lions, and Wenshuang Nie, a competitor in the Invictus Games, pose for a photo prior to the start of the 2024 Grey Cup
Prince Harry posed for photos as he made a surprise appearance without Meghan in Vancouver
The Duke of Sussex was seen embracing Team Canada Invictus Games athlete Wenshuang Nie
Prince Harry’s face appeared on the big screen as he walked onto the pitch in Vancouver
Prince Harry, the Duke of Sussex, speaks during a pre-game television interview prior to the first half of a CFL football game
Harry looks on as Team Canada Invictus Games athlete Wenshuang Nie laughs
Prince Harry beams as he gives an interview to The Sports Network before being escorted away swiftly
Prince Harry shakes the hand of Amar Doman, owner of the BC Lions, after presenting him with an Inivictus Games jersey
Prince Harry, pictured with his wife Meghan in Whistler earlier this year, has said he is excited to see ‘passion, determination and resilience’ of the UK squad for the first Invictus Games with winter sports
The Duke of Sussex is pictured sliding down the track on a skeleton sled during an Invictus Games training camp
‘These games present an incredible opportunity for our courageous service personnel and veterans to demonstrate their skills in new challenges like alpine skiing, snowboarding and skeleton, as well as providing a truly memorable experience for their families.
‘We’re excited to see their passion, determination, and resilience on full display as they take on this new chapter.’
Next year’s Invictus Games in Vancouver will be the first Invictus Games to include winter sports.
Team UK captain, Stephen ‘Hoops’ Hooper, is returning for his second Invictus Games after competing in powerlifting and sitting volleyball at Dusseldorf in 2023.
Hooper, who served in the RAF and was diagnosed with PTSD before being medically discharged in 2021, said: ‘To be selected for Team UK again was overwhelming in itself, but to be captain as well, is a privilege.
‘I gained a lot from the whole Team UK experience last time around, I’ve gone from standing in the corner of a room and not talking to anybody, to finding my voice again.
‘And that’s what I want to do for others this time – make sure every member of Team UK comes together and takes those steps forward in their recovery.’
Meghan, Duchess of Sussex, Kadi Lee, Serge Normant at the Highbrow Hippie Launch Party held at Gjelina on November 14
Meghan, Duchess of Sussex, Serge Normant, Kadi Lee and Myka Harris attend the Launch of Highbrow Hippie Haircare & Wellness at Gjelina on November 14, 2024
Harry’s visit to Canada comes just days after his wife put on a glamorous display at the Highbrow Hippie launch party in California.
The Duchess, who is also an investor in trendy oat latte brand Clevr Blends, as well as handbag label Cesta Collective, said about her latest investment:Â ‘I am so proud to invest in [Kadi] as a friend and as a female founder.
She told InStyle: ‘Kadi [Lee] has a mastery of hair health, and her Highbrow Hippie collection is a perfect reflection of that.’
The hairdresser – whose salon is based in the bohemian LA neighborhood of Venice – boasts several famous clients, such as Oscar-winning actress Julia Roberts, Brad Pitt and Sigourney Weaver.
Meghan on Thursday was joined by friend and makeup artist, Daniel Martin, as well as celeb hairstylist Serge Normant, who famously styled the mother-of-two’s hair for her wedding ceremony in 2018.Â
Normant is believed to have introduced Meghan to Lee, who has often posted on social media about coloring the Duchess’ hair.Â
The hairdresser and her friend Myka Harris founded their salon in 2019 following the success of their shared blog.
The Duchess of Sussex (center) with very glamorous Instagram poet Cleo Wade (left) and celebrity colourist Kadi Lee (right) to celebrate her 42nd birthday
Meghan, pictured Thursday with Serge Normat, was seen smiling and clapping at the Highbrow Hippie launch event
Their webpage – which also reveals the owners’ star signs – reads: ‘Highbrow Hippie was created to fill a void. Our goal is to expand the definition of a salon and return to its historical meaning – a gathering place to exchange thoughts and ideas.Â
‘Creating a sense of community, self care and a way to drop out for a few hours and focus on yourself.Â
‘Our intention is to refocus on self care, community and experience. What works best for our customers is always top of mind and we hope that people will leave feeling inspired, connected, grounded and maybe having learned something new – either about themselves or someone else.Â
‘These small steps and attention to detail equal a huge amount of luxury in today’s fast paced and overly connected world.’
Their new collection will include the Root Replenish Active Growth Serum ($88.00) and the Essential Wellbeing Complex supplement ($118.00) to start with.