Harry gives speech at first public appearance since return to UK

The Duke of Sussex posed for photos and gave a speech during his first public appearance since returning to the UK.He attended the inaugural Invictus Spirit Awards at the Old Royal Naval College in Greenwich, south-east London, on Thursday evening, cheerily waving to fans as he arrived.Dressed in black tie and wearing his military medals, Harry posed for photographs in front of the press and then for selfies with wounded veterans.At a champagne reception in an adjoining courtyard, he told guests he was “incredibly excited” to meet the winners and nominees after being part of the judging panel, alongside the Duchess of Sussex, for the awards.The ceremony aims to honour the remarkable feats of extraordinary people and organisations at the heart of the global Invictus community.A host of famous faces including comedian James Corden, who opened the evening, chart-topping singer Jess Glynne, who gave a headline performance, and actor Ross Kemp were also in attendance.After welcoming Harry with a hug, Sonique, who was DJing at the bash, said: “It’s nice to have him home. He used to come to my gigs, I have missed him.”The Duke of Sussex arriving at the inaugural Invictus Spirit Awards (Ben Whitley/PA)PA WireOn spotting former England rugby union star James Haskell, Harry walked over and gave him a bear hug telling him “great to see you again”.The pair posed for pictures at a specially erected photo booth before the duke was taken into the awards.The evening recognised those who have beaten the odds, supported others in their recovery, advanced sport and rehabilitation, or made an outstanding contribution to the wider Invictus community.The award categories recognise resilience, community, commitment to international sports recovery and philanthropic support.Giving a speech at the awards, Harry told the story of how Invictus began.The Duke of Sussex has a selfie taken with Steve Arnold (centre) and Josh Boggi, as he arrives at the inaugural Invictus Spirit Awards (Ben Whitley/PA)PA WireHe said: “In 2008, flying home from Afghanistan, I travelled alongside three seriously injured British servicemen and the coffin of a Danish soldier.Read More“That flight stayed with me because it helped me begin to understand two things about the military that would shape the rest of my life: it gives you purpose, identity, belonging, a team; and in a matter of seconds, injury or illness can take it all away.“Years later, after seeing the Warrior Games in America, we brought an idea back to London. We had less than a year to make it happen — which was probably useful, because it gave everyone less time to tell us it couldn’t be done.“In September 2014, more than 400 competitors from 13 nations came together for the first ever Invictus Games. Now 12 years later, thousands have benefited. We have 26 nations in our community, and the games are coming home!“And something happened that was bigger than sports competition. People who thought a part of their life was over began to see that something else might just be beginning. Their families, too, saw loved ones return to them in mind and spirit.”The duke also had a message to veterans at the awards and around the world.The Duke of Sussex poses with members of the Band of The Irish Guards (Aaron Chown/PA)PA WireHe said: “And to the veterans here tonight, and those wherever you are around the world, I want to say this as one soldier to another: your service matters. What you gave in uniform matters. And people far beyond the military community who see in your example what courage, resilience and leadership actually look like.“People are watching. The teammate who is struggling. The young soldier wondering what life after uniform might look like. The family trying to find its way forward.“You may no longer wear the uniform, but you still lead. Every time you get back up, reach back for someone else, or turn what happened to you into purpose for others, you are serving again — just differently.“And that matters far beyond our military community. National resilience isn’t built by governments alone. It is built in communities – by people who know how to endure, adapt, lead under pressure and look after one another when things get tough.“At a time when societies around the world are being tested, the Invictus spirit has something to teach all of us. This community doesn’t just demonstrate resilience. It helps build it.“Never underestimate what your example gives to the world.”Harry founded the Invictus Games for wounded, injured and sick military personnel and veterans, which takes place every two years, in 2014.The next edition in 2027 represents a homecoming not only for the duke, but the games, with Birmingham named as the host city.Harry’s first public engagement since moving back to the UK from the US came after a war of words broke out between his father the King and Earl Charles Spencer, the brother of his late mother, Diana, Princess of Wales.It comes after explosive claims from a new memoir by Earl Spencer were published, in which the King is said to have told Diana’s brother at the time of her death in 1997 that “rest assured, we’ll forget her soon enough”.A palace spokesman said: “While we do not comment on books as a matter of principle, His Majesty is mindful that the pain of fraternal grief can cloud reason, affect judgment and colour memory in ways others do not recognise, even many years after such a loss.”Meanwhile, this week it was revealed that Harry and Meghan moved their children to a new school after talks with their security team.Prince Archie, seven, and five-year-old Princess Lilibet had only just started at their new school in England after the family relocated from the US three weeks ago.But they will now join another one, after heavy traffic and the lengthy journey to the school reportedly put the Sussexes’ security team under strain, Hello! magazine reported.Harry speaks to a guest at the Invictus Spirit Awards (Aaron Chown/PA)PA WireThe decision comes amid reports that both the Sussexes will receive an official risk assessment following their return.In January 2020, Harry and Meghan had announced they intended to step back as “senior” members of the royal family, become financially independent, still support Queen Elizabeth II, but split their time between the UK and North America.But the late Queen ruled at the Sandringham Summit, which was convened to resolve the Megxit crisis, that the couple could not be half in and half out – and the King recently said the agreement still stands.