The Invictus Games kicked off on Saturday with a car hurdle ahead of the inaugural opening ceremony attended by the race founder, Prince Harryand his wife Megan Markle. Harry founded the Invictus Games to help heal injured or sick military members and veterans by challenging them to compete in Paralympic-like sporting events. This year’s competition takes place in the Dutch city of The Hague. Before the opening ceremony, he approached the action when he was driven around the stadium with obstacles. The couple later nodded to spectators as they drove around in tiny Land Rover cars with children at the wheel. On Friday, the Duke and Duchess of Sussex, also known as Harry and Megan, attended a welcoming event for competitors and their friends and family, with them at the event, which runs through April 22. Prince Harry, Megan Markle MAKE FIRST PUBLIC APPEARANCE IN EUROPE FROM BACK AS FIRST ROYALS Prince Harry and Megan Markle cheer from the sidelines as they watch the Land Rover Driving Challenge at Invictus. (AP Photo / Peter Dejong) Harry, who served 10 years in the British Army, has been a champion of goals that benefit both the military and women. He has been involved with the charity Walking with the Wounded and the Endeavor Fund, which honors veterans. A few days after welcoming Archie’s son in May 2019, he traveled to the Netherlands to begin the official countdown for the 2020 Games. It was the couple’s first public appearance in Europe since leaving their official royal roles and moving to the US more than two years ago. Among about 500 athletes from 20 nations taking part in the Games is a team of 19 from Ukraine – many of them taking a short break from defending their country against the Russian invasion that sparked a devastating war. CLICK HERE TO RECEIVE THE FOX NEWS APPLICATION Prince Harry and Megan Markle attend the Land Rover Driving Challenge at the Invictus Racecourse in The Hague, The Netherlands, Saturday, April 16, 2022. (AP Photo / Peter Dejong) Competitors participate in track and field, archery, cycling, indoor rowing, powerlifting, sitting volleyball, swimming, wheelchair basketball and wheelchair rugby, as well as in Saturday’s driving challenge organized by one of the official co-organizers. Jaguar Land Rover. Harry and Megan arrived in the Netherlands just one day after the couple’s visit Queen Elizabeth II at Windsor Castle on their first joint visit to the United Kingdom since moving to America. Prince Harry and Megan Markle, Duke and Duchess of Sussex, are screaming as the Romanian rival crosses the finish line of the Land Rover Driving Challenge. (AP Photo / Peter Dejong) Harry and Megan resigned as senior members of the royal family and moved to North America in 2020, citing the unbearable pressure of their roles and the racist behavior of the British media. Although this is the first time the royal couple has returned to the UK together, Harry has returned twice. Almost a year ago, he returned for the funeral of Prince Philip’s grandfather in April 2021 and then again in July 2021 to attend the unveiling of a statue in honor of his late mother. Princess Diana. The visit to the queen took place on Maundy Thursday, a day before Easter, which the queen for decades marked by handing silver coins known as “Maundy money” to retirees at a church service. CLICK HERE TO SUBSCRIBE TO OUR ENTERTAINMENT NEWSLETTER Prince Harry helps a little girl drive a miniature Land Rover. (AP Photo / Peter Dejong) This year, the queen, who has been experiencing mobility problems in recent months and fell with COVID-19 in February, did not attend. She was represented by her eldest son, Prince Charles, and his wife Camilla. The monarch is also expected to lose the ecclesiastical function of the royal family on Easter Sunday. He continued to perform royal duties, including virtual audiences with politicians and diplomats. The Associated Press contributed to this report.
