The Duke and Duchess of Sussex posed for photos and met and hugged competitors at the Zuiderpark event in The Hague, the Netherlands. The couple spent Easter Sunday morning on the track and were in the front row for seated volleyball. Use the Chrome browser for a more accessible video player 2:02 “I could not love and respect him more” Picture: A hug for Team UK rival Lisa Johnston Jaco van Gass, a Paralympic gold medalist and former Invictus fighter who suffered life-changing injuries to the British Army, sat down with them. Mr van Gass, 35, met Harry, 37, in 2011 when the duke joined the record-breaking wounded soldier team at the North Pole. Read more: Megan and Harry in a show on stage as a couple opens the Invictus games Image: The Duke of Sussex with members of the Ukraine Team He said it was “amazing” to see Harry and Megan, 40, adding that it was “wonderful” to catch up with them and that they were “friendlier than ever”.
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He said Harry told him he was “really, really well”. Mr Van Gass said: “Invictus is basically his family. There are so many familiar faces who have not seen him in a long time, again in all nations, just to catch them again. “He came back with his own people, he came back to an environment where he is so natural and interested. I think that is the most important thing – this great depth of care he has for the games.” Read more: William and Kate at the traditional Easter Sunday service Picture: Couple in seated volleyball The duke founded the Invictus Games to help rehabilitate injured or sick military personnel and veterans from around the world, giving them the opportunity to compete in sporting events similar to the Paralympic Games. Harry, who served in the British Army for a decade, was removed from his honorary military roles following the departure of the Duke and Megan from royal duties. Use the Chrome browser for a more accessible video player 0:39 Harry and Megan ride in mini Land Rovers The event is particularly significant for the couple, who chose to make their first joint public appearance at the Invictus Games almost five years ago. Mr van Gass said he also spoke briefly with Meghan. Read more: Harry and Megan appear together in Europe for the first time since leaving as senior members of the royal family Image: Harry and Megan did not attend the Duke of Edinburgh memorial service in London last month “She is having a good time,” he said. “She is in very good shape and really enjoys all the facts; she is so inspiring.” The couple, now based in California, visited the Queen in Windsor on Thursday after flying from the United States. Image: The Duchess of Sussex was “in very good shape and really enjoyed all the events” Harry and Megan’s trips to the United Kingdom and the Netherlands come after the couple’s absence from the Duke of Edinburgh memorial in London last month. The couple has two young children, Archie, who is three years old next month, and Lilibet, whose first birthday is in June.
