Upload video Video is not available The video will play automatically soon8Cancel Play now Prince Harry informs the Queen about the UK team Prince Harry spoke for the first time about his surprise visit to the Queen last week. The Duke of Sussex, who met the monarch at Windsor Castle at a secret stop before the Invictus Games in the Netherlands, said it was “wonderful to see her”. She said the queen, who turns 96 this week, had given some words of support to those in attendance – and said she would love to be there. Harry told the BBC: “He had a lot of messages for the UK team, which I have already conveyed to most of them. “Well, it was wonderful to see her and I’m sure she would like to be here if she could.” The monarch said that she would like to be in the Netherlands ( Picture: AFP via Getty Images) Harry and his wife Megan spent the Easter Sunday morning on the track and were in the front row for sitting volleyball as the first full day of racing in The Hague began. The couple watched the action alongside Jaco Van Gass – a Paralympic gold medalist and former Invictus fighter who suffered life-changing injuries to the British Army. Mr Van Gass left home in South Africa to pursue a military career 16 years ago but was hit by a rocket-propelled grenade in Afghanistan in 2009 while serving in the Paratroopers Regiment and lost his left arm at the elbow. She met Harry in 2011, when the duke joined the record-breaking group of wounded soldiers, and was part of this unsuccessful North Pole hike. The 35-year-old said it was “amazing” to see Harry and Megan, adding that it was “wonderful” to catch up with them and they were “friendlier than ever”. Upload video Video is not available Click to play Click to play The video will play automatically soon8Cancel Play now He said Harry told him he was “really, really well”. Mr Van Gass said: “Invictus is basically his family. “There are so many celebrities who have not seen him for a while, again in all nations, just to rebuild them. “He returned with his own people, he returned to an environment in which he is so natural and interested. “I think that’s the most important thing – this great depth of care he has for the games.” Harry, who served in the British Army for a decade, was removed from his honorary military roles after Megxit. It was the army that offered him his first taste of life away from being royal. Harry and Megan meet Team GB athletes at the Invictus Games in the Netherlands ( Picture: Getty Images for the Invictus Games Foundation) He admitted after serving in Afghanistan for the second time in 2012 that he felt more comfortable being Captain Wales than Prince Harry. “I have always been like that,” he said. “My father always tries to remind me of who I am and things like that. But it is very easy to forget who I am when I am in the army.” Mr Van Gus, meanwhile, said he had also spoken briefly with Megan. “She is having a good time,” he said. “He is in very good shape and he really enjoys all the events and he sees it … he is so inspired. “Even just the people on the volleyball court right now, you see all kinds of different injuries and only you see them active, smiles on their faces, camaraderie, all the teams are very friendly with each other.” Speaking again about Harry, Mr. Van Gus said: “He is very down to earth, humble and true to his word, he is a very good guy. “It’s amazing to think about his profile and who he is and how relaxed you can be with him.” Dave Henson, Prince Harry, Duke of Sussex and Megan, Duchess of Sussex attend the track race ( Picture: Getty Images for Invictus Ga) Yesterday, the Duchess of Sussex publicly declared her love for her “incredible” husband Harry in front of a thousand audience. Introducing the duke at the opening ceremony of the Invictus Games in The Hague, the Netherlands, Megan said she “could not love and respect him more.” The couple kissed when Harry arrived on stage and appeared excited before his speech, saying, “Thank you my love.” Megan, dressed in a white shoulder-length top and dark trousers, spoke for a few minutes before welcoming Harry on stage in a room that could hold up to 5,000 people. He said: “It is a great honor for me to introduce someone I believe you will all be very excited to hear. “He has also spent many late nights and early mornings designing these games to make them as perfect as possible for each of you. “I could not love and respect him more and I know you all feel the same, because he is your fellow veteran, having served two tours in Afghanistan and 10 years of military service. “He is the founder of Invictus Games and the father of our two little ones, Archie and Lili. Welcome to my incredible husband, Prince Harry, the Duke of Sussex.” read more The dream jobs of Prince George and Princess Charlotte are more common than you think read more Megan Markle admits they almost gave Archie a different name – but they’re torn ‘about it
