Meghan Markle has taken her seat at the Invictus Games opening ceremony.
The actress, wearing a plum leather jacket and a matching dress for her debut appearance at a Royal event, sat in the stands; well away from Prince Harry.
Her low key presence marks the first time she has joined the Royal for an official event and will intensify speculation that an engagement announcement is imminent.
Harry, seated a quarter of a stadium away, occupied a VIP box alongside Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, US First Lady Melania Trump and Ukraine’s President Poroshenko.
Before she took her seat, the First Lady met with Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, his glamorous wife Sophie and his children Ella-Grace and Xavier.
Meghan Markle appeared at the Invictus games opening ceremony on Toronto on Saturday night, marking the first time she has joined Prince Harry at an official event since their romance was confirmed last year
Dressed in a plum leather jacket and matching dress, the actress smiled and chatted with friends who were seated next to her in the stands – far away from Harry and the world leaders he had invited to the event
Instead of his girlfriend, Harry had First Lady Melania Trump seated next to him in the royal box. They sat behind Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko (bottom left), his wife Maryna, Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and his wife Sophie Gregoire Trudeau (bottom right and second right)
Mrs Trump spoke to Sophie first, saying: ‘It’s good to see you. I saw you a few days ago.’
She then chatted briefly to Trudeau about the couple’s children before telling him that her son Barron had spent the day playing soccer.
From their vantage point, Harry and Melania had a perfect view of the stage, which was festooned with black and yellow Invictus logos, at the Air Canada Canada Centre.
The show itself kicked off late at approximately 8pm EST with a fanfare and welcome before the Parade of Nations, featuring all 550 athletes, commenced.
Along with members of the Canadian military, other performers at the musical extravaganza include singers Sarah McLachlan and Alessia Cara and folk band La Bottine Souriante [the smiling boot].
The Invictus Games, now in its third edition, was started in 2014 by Prince Harry and was inspired by the USA’s Warrior Games. Competitors are drawn from 17 countries, including the U.K., USA, Canada and Australia, with the US alone sending 90 athletes. All are former or serving members of the military, many of whom suffered life-changing injuries during combat.
Other countries taking part in this year’s event include France, Germany, Estonia, Afghanistan, Iraq and Italy. Servicemen and women from Ukraine, the Netherlands, Denmark and New Zealand will also compete.
The event will last a week, beginning with Saturday evening’s celebrity-studded Opening Ceremony and will end with a concert featuring Bruce Springsteen and Bryan Adams. Last year’s event was held in Orlando, Florida, and along with Prince Harry, then Vice President Joe Biden and his wife Jill attended.
The first edition, held in London, saw senior members of the Royal family descend on the Games, among them the Queen and the Duke of Edinburgh, the Prince of Wales and the Duchess of Cornwall, and the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge. Next year’s event will be held in Sydney, Australia.
The name of the Games is drawn from a Victorian poem by William Earnest Henley, written in 1875. Titled Invictus, the final two lines have become the Games’ motto and read: ‘I am the master of my fate, I am the captain of my soul.’ Henley was himself an amputee and the poem reflects his own battle with illness and adversity. In his case, amputation followed a bad bout of tuberculosis at the age of 12 and for the rest of his life, the red-bearded poet was forced to use a crutch.
Despite his injuries and repeat visits to hospital after his other foot became diseased, the journalist and author married and had one daughter, Margaret. He eventually succumbed to tuberculosis at the age of 53 at his home in Woking in 1903 and was buried in Bedfordshire. Prior to the inaugural Games in London 2014, the poem was read in a promotional video by actors Daniel Craig and Tom Hardy.
Sporting events, conducted in the style of a Paralympic-type competition, include swimming, archery, wheelchair basketball and athletics. Golf is a new addition to this year’s line-up and rowing, sitting volleyball and wheelchair rugby events will also be held. The mascot at the 2017 event is a cartoon Labrador retriever dog named Vimy.
Vimy refers to Vimy Ridge – an engagement during the World War I Battle of Arras in 1917 which saw the Canadian Corps ordered to storm a German position.
Previous French attacks had failed, with the loss of 100,000 lives, but the men of the Canadian Corps prevailed, losing 10,000 in the process.
Earlier in the day, Prince Harry became the first member of the Royal Family to meet a Trump since last year’s Presidential Election.
Mrs Trump and Harry spent less than 30 minutes together before the royal left for another engagement – the Jaguar Land Rover Driving Challenge.
Melania enjoyed a more animated embrace with Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau before the opening ceremony got underway
The First Lady gave Trudeau a warm hug and a kiss as they exchanged pleasantries backstage before the event kicked off
Melania was just as excited to see Canada’s First Lady Sophie Gregoire Trudeau at the event
Despite its brevity, the meeting appeared cordial with the pair warmly shaking hands before settling down to talk in a room at the Sheraton Hotel.
The 33-year-old prince dressed in a dark blue suit while the 47-year-old First Lady wore a tailored black-and-white dog tooth Dior suit and black heels.
Harry initially appeared awkward when he was introduced to the Slovenian former model, smiling brightly for the cameras before letting it drop as he turned away.
The pair then engaged in small talk with Mrs Trump thanking the prince for coming before he asked her if she had been in Canada long.
Later, 33-year-old Harry gushed over the Canadian city during a brief meeting with outgoing Governor General David Johnston.
Toronto has won a special place in the prince’s heart since he began dating Suits actress Meghan Markle who keeps a home there.
Harry, who has spent quiet weekends there with his girlfriend and her dogs, told Governor General Johnston it had become a ‘home away from home’ for him.
Prince Harry had his first meeting with US First Lady Melania Trump in Toronto ahead of the Invictus Games’ opening ceremony on Saturday (Pictured, smiling for photographers)
Despite its brevity, the meeting appeared cordial with the pair warmly shaking hands (pictured) before settling down to talk in a room at the Sheraton Hotel
The 33-year-old prince dressed in a dark blue suit while the 47-year-old First Lady wore a tailored black-and-white dog tooth Dior suit and black heels
Mrs Trump is leading the US delegation at the Invictus Games in her first solo foreign trip and the first known meeting of a member of the royal family with a member of the Trump family since the election(Pictured, Prince Harry and Melania Trump meet on Saturday)
Leading: Melania (pictured, arriving in Toronto) touched down at Toronto Pearson International Airport on Saturday morning
Dressed to impress: Dressed in a Dior suit and trademark sunglasses, the 47-year-old appeared poised as she made her way to Toronto’s Sheraton Hotel for what Kensington Palace described as ‘a bilateral meeting’ with Prince Harry
This is not the Trumps’ first encounter with royalty. In November 2005, the President and First Lady – then just a newlywed couple – met Harry’s father, Prince Charles, during a reception at the Museum of Modern Art in New York City (pictured)
For Prince Harry, it’s not his only encounter with a First Lady. He famously got along well with former First Lady Michelle Obama when she and former President Barack Obama visited London in June 2015 (pictured)
‘It’s always fantastic to be here,’ he said. Asked by the Governor General about the Invictus Games Harry said: They have just grown and grown. I’d like them to go on for fifty years if I could.’
Mr Johnston is standing down at the end of the month after seven years in the job to be replaced by businesswoman and former astronaut Julie Payette, who last week met the Queen at Balmoral.
MIKE MYERS FIGHTS BACK TEARS AT INVICTUS GAMES
Actor Mike Myers fought back tears at a press conference promoting Prince Harry’s Invictus Games in his native Toronto, Canada.
Funnyman Mike, the official Ambassador of the games, which start on Saturday, became emotional as he told how his British parents helped fight the Nazis in World War Two.
The Austin Powers star apologized saying, ‘I’m Sorry’ as he began to cry telling how the wounded warriors taking part in the games, injured service men and women from around the world, deserve our respect.
He also revealed how his mother, who cared for his father when he had dementia, died in March this year.
Prince Harry was not at Saturday morning’s press conference.
During their formal meeting earlier in the day, Harry and the US First Lady then settled down to discuss the Invictus Games’ success. Subsequently Mrs Trump moved on to meet some of the veterans taking part for Team USA in the games while Harry moved on to a meeting with Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau.
Mrs Trump is leading the US delegation at the international sporting event in her first solo foreign trip and the first known meeting of a member of the royal family with a member of the Trump family since the election.
It’s not the Trumps’ first encounter with royalty, however.
In November 2005, the President and First Lady – then just a newlywed couple – met Harry’s father, Prince Charles, during a reception at the Museum of Modern Art in New York City.
Her decision to lead the American delegation, whose members include Veterans Affairs Secretary David Shulkin, professional golfer Nancy Lopez and entertainer Wayne Newton, reflects the first lady’s ‘utmost respect’ for the hard work, courage and sacrifice of the US military, said Stephanie Grisham, a spokeswoman for Melania.
‘She feels strongly that they – and their families – should be honored every day,’ Grisham said.
Grisham said Mrs. Trump, who became a US citizen in 2006, also has ‘great admiration for the role the games have played in empowering those who have been injured while serving.’
Later in the afternoon, Mrs Trump returned to the Sheraton to take part in a reception with Team USA athletes where she made a brief speech that lasted less than two minutes.
In the address, she said: ‘Invictus means unconquered and pays tribute to your fighting spirit. You have given so much for your country. You truly are our heroes. On behalf of my husband and our entire country, I want to thank you and your families for all you have sacrificed to keep us safe. I also want to wish you good luck but I know you won’t need it in these games. Take that fighting spirit that I know you have and bring home the gold.
‘God bless you. God bless your families and God bless the United States of America.’
Following her remarks, FLOTUS shook hands with several athletes, including a seven or eight who approached her and asked for individual photos with their cellphones.
Following his meeting with the First Lady, the Prince attended Jaguar Land Rover Driving Challenge, where competitors race either Jaguars in a speed and precision course or Land Rovers in an obstacle course.
Harry was all smiles as he was sent on a spin in a miniature Land Rovers with little Daimyb Gommers.
He then moved on to a meeting with Prime Minister Trudeau, who is also a friend of Meghan Markle.
After shaking hands, Harry thanked him and described the reaction to Invictus in Canada as ‘absolutely amazing.’
‘There’s a real buzz across Toronto – everyone’s getting into it,’ he said.
Trudeau also thanked Harry and added that, ‘Sophie and I wish every competitor the best.’
Firm friends: Prince Harry meets with Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau in Toronto on Saturday, September 23
As the press were summoned out, Harry put aside his airs and graces and leaned in to whisper Trudeau a joke – which made him loudly splutter with laughter
And as the press were summoned out, Harry put aside his airs and graces and leant in to whisper Trudeau a joke – which made him loudly splutter with laughter.
Trudeau – who has a famously flamboyant taste in socks – had donned a bright scarlet pair for his meeting with Prince Harry.
The powerful duo had a clear rapport when Harry flew out to promote Invictus in Toronto last year.
The various meetings and events come ahead of the opening ceremony of Invictus Games, games for wounded service personnel, where he is expected to make his first public appearance with actress girlfriend Meghan, 36.
Earlier that morning, the Prince who was greeted by crowds of adoring fans – and a even a couple of dogs – as he left following a meeting at The Centre for Addiction and Mental Health on Saturday.
The royal had just come from meeting with healthcare workers at Canada’s largest mental health and addiction hospital to discuss their work in research and technology with a focus on young people.
Among the topics discussed at the round table discussion was potential preventative cure to stop soldiers suffering from PTSD, closely tying the work to upcoming Games.
After his meeting with the First Lady, Prince Harry headed off to the Jaguar Land Rover Driving Challenge in the Distillery District (Pictured, Daimyb Gommers takes Prince Harry for a spin in a miniature Land Rover)
Prince Harry shakes Daimyb Gommers’s hand after she took him for a spin in a miniature Land Rover
The Prince then took a spin in a bit of a larger car – a Jaguar F-TYPE – at the Jaguar Land Rover driver challenger
After being told one of the center’s main approaches is prevention, the prince told doctors: ‘It seems we suffer from a culture where a pill will fix everything. ‘There has to be a better way than just giving out anti-depressants.
‘There were 65million given out in one year in the UK alone. That’s why I look to you guys in this room. Everyone is uniquely wired is what I keep saying. There is no one silver bullet, no one cure for everyone.’
During a round-table discussion about mental health research, Dr Fang Liu told Prince Harry that her team has discovered a protein complex which could lead to a potential anecdote to prevent soldiers from suffering from PTSD.
It is now being tested on ‘animal models’ and could one day be given to soldiers as a pill.
The prince asked several questions about the treatment, before declaring: ‘Wow, that’s amazing.’
The young royal was also praised for his work in raising the issue of mental health and helping to reduce the stigma.
He modestly said: ‘It’s a massive team effort and everyone is doing their bit just trying to normalize it so people can seek help without judgement. If everyone can do that, it’s better for everyone.’
Prince Harry’s mother Princess Diana also visited the center in 1991.
Gloria Chaim, head of community engagement and partnership, met the princess 26 years ago as well as Prince Harry yesterday. She told him: ‘They loved her. She made them feel like important, valued people.’
Adoring fans: Earlier, Prince Harry was greeted by crowds of adoring fans – and a even a couple of dogs – as he left following a meeting at The Centre for Addiction and Mental Health on Saturday
Furry friends: The 33-year-old prince dressed in a dark blue blazer, a light blue shirt and khaki-colored pants was seen smiling as he shook hands, bent down to greet children and even pet a dog.
All smiles: Prince Harry is in Toronto ahead of the opening ceremony of Invictus Games, games for wounded service personnel, where he is expected to make his first public appearance with actress girlfriend Meghan Markle, 36.
At work: The royal had just come from meeting with healthcare workers at Canada’s largest mental health and addiction hospital to discuss their work in research and technology with a focus on young people (pictured)
Prince Harry kicked off a busy day meeting youngsters being treated at the Centre for Addiction and Mental Health in Toronto, Canada’s largest mental health and addiction hospital as well as workers (pictured)
At a meeting with outgoing Governor General David Johnston and his wife Sharon, Harry said Toronto had become a ‘home away from home’
Yesterday, the prince visited the Pan Am Centre to watch the swimmers being put through their paces, stopping to give a hug to runner Kristin Lane, 23, from Brisbane, Australia.
Lane, who had been dozing when the Prince arrived, told DailyMail.com: ‘He woke me up and then we just embraced. I’ve met him a couple of times before so he must have recognized me.
‘He just said how are you? and we chatted about a few things.’
The athlete told DailyMail.com that he spent four years in the Army before being injured. He received a medical discharge two months ago but said the Games is helping him to adjust.
Lane said: ‘Being here is awesome – the whole journey has been really good and it’s great being here with all the guys.’ The 23-year-old will compete this week in the 100, 200 and 400m events.
Harry also joked with a group of Australian swimmers, laughingly pretending to drop kick a kangaroo mascot into the pool.
Swimmer Chris Clark, 45, told DailyMail.com that he almost believed Harry was serious saying: ‘He’s a lovely young man. I half thought he was serious for a moment – he can get away with things I can’t.’
Coach Amy Beal, 33, of Perth, Australia, added: ‘He was joking about our boxing kangaroo – his name is Skip but Chris’ son calls him Roger.
‘Rodger is going everywhere with Chris during this trip.
She continued: ‘Rodger has a spine so Harry was asking, what have you got in there? What are you trying to smuggle through customs?’
Melania Trump greets members of Team USA prior to attending the opening ceremony of the Invictus Games in Toronto
Melania Trump rests her hand on a member of Team USA’s back ahead of the opening ceremony of Prince Harry’s Invictus Games
Supporting the cause: Melania greets members of Team USA prior to the opening ceremony of the games; Michelle Obama championed the games the first two years and this was Melania’s first time meeting the group
Harry the hugger: The prince is counting down to the opening of the Invictus Games – and went to a training session where he hugged one of the wheelchair athletes taking part
Hug for a hero: Australian athlete Kris Lane, 23, from Brisbane, Australia, was embraced by the prince who was watching a training session at the Pan Am Centre in Toronto on the day before the opening of his Invictus Games.
The handsome man smiled as he posed with a stuffed toy kangaroo for a fan’s photo during the event, sporting a black shirt with the Invictus Games logo
The 33-year-old shook hands, hugged and joked with the Games’ competitors on the eve before the event started
Harry spent some time with athletes representing Australia at the international competition, much to their apparent delight
The rest of the weekend will see the Prince hold bilateral meetings with US First Lady Melania Trump, Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and outgoing Canadian Governor General David Johnston
Chat: Prince Harry went around the training session at one of the Invictus venues where he spent time with some of the 550 athletes taking part
All eyes: The British swim team member, one of the hundreds of athletes taking part in the games in Toronto, was closely inspected by the prince and other team officials and members
Ear me now: Prince Harry had plenty to say as he spent time at the training session in the Pan Am Session in Toronto
Banter: Australian swim team athletes were all ears as the prince toured the complex
The engagement, Harry’s second of the day, was at the Pan Am Centre – the venue for the swimming and rowing competitions.
As well as Team Australia, athletes inside the venue came from all 17 competing nations, among them Team USA and Team GB.
Beal said she and other members had previously met Harry during the Sydney Invictus Games launch in June and said he had remembered him.
‘We met him in Sydney for the launch in June so he recognized us,’ she said.
‘He was talking about jet lag because he knew we had come all the way from Australia, plus our prep and whether we are ready.
‘He’s like a friend – just joking around and having fun.’
She added: ‘We’re quietly confident that we’ll be competitive – I’m here to ensure these guys achieve what they want to.’
Harry’s first engagement of the day was at Scotia Plaza to attend the True Patriot Love Symposium; an annual meeting that brings together representatives from non-profit foundations, business and government to discuss how best to help military veterans and their families.
The agenda at this year’s event, which was being livestreamed online throughout the day, is focused on soldiers’ wellbeing during both peacetime and during war.
Harry spent part of the morning at the event, meeting Invictus competitors and their families who are taking part in a panel discussion.
He congratulated a pregnant athlete who’s taking part in his Paralympic-style Invictus Games and was told she hopes to bring their baby to the contest next year.
Harry, 33, met Randi Gavell who’s set to compete in several sports in the coming week in Toronto.
The former staff sergeant, who was medically retired from the US army in 2010 after suffering a traumatic brain injury following a truck bomb blast in Iraq in 2006, is expecting a girl, she told Harry at a meeting with families at a special pre-games conference.
‘The first question I asked my doctor was if I could still go to Canada,’ she told Harry when he congratulated her.
‘I’ll take it easy, I will be careful. It’s a girl and we’re pretty excited. She will probably have more medals before she’s born!’
Gavell, who is four and a half months pregnant, is in Toronto with her husband Richard Hobson, a serving staff sergeant in the U.S Army and he told Harry that ‘maybe next year you’ll meet the baby.’
Gavell, who is set to take part in rowing, swimming, sitting volleyball and track events, then handed him a gift of a Team USA coin, and told the prince: ‘It’s so amazing for us to have this opportunity. We couldn’t have done his without you.’
Ready for action: Prince Harry will officially open the Invictus Games on Saturday and met athletes who are in the final stages of training
Lots to watch: The prince kept an eye on the wheelchair basketball as members of the Danish team took to the court to compete against the team from the Netherlands in a practice session
Meet the crowds: A tiny fraction of the total crowd was just visible behind a beaming Prince Harry as he left the first engagement of his week-long stay in Toronto
Man of the moment: A huge crowd was outside the Scotia Plaza in Toronto as Prince Harry left the first official engagement of his stay in the Canadian city, which is hosting his Invictus Games
Face to face with a hero: Prince Harry knelt to talk to Trevor Greene, who was a captain in the Canadian Armed Forces’ Seaforth Highlanders when he suffered a massive brain injury in combat in Kandahar, Afghanistan in 2006. He and his wife, Debbie, were among those taking part in the prince’s first engagement ahead of the Invictus Games opening ceremony.
Photo time: Prince Harry posed for pictures with Australian veteran and athlete Mark Reidy, his wife Karen May, and their children at the True Love Patriot Symposium in Toronto
Harry mania! One woman was delighted to get a sighting of the Prince in Scotia Plaza, Toronto, Friday
Happy to be here: Smiling and relaxed Prince Harry arrived for the first engagement he is holding in Toronto ahead of his Invictus Games. His girlfriend Meghan Markle is expected to attend
In love: Meghan Markle broke her silence on the relationship with Prince Harry telling Vanity Fair: ‘We are two people who are really happy and in love.’
Meghan Markle, 36, is widely expected to make her first official appearance with the Prince at some stage during the games