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TL;DR:

  • Fatherhood “adds another emotional layer” to the Invictus Games for Prince Harry. 
  • Prince Harry says his son, Archie Harrison Mountbatten-Windsor, ‘absolutely loved’ videos from the 2018 Invictus Games.
  • He and Meghan Markle ‘can’t wait’ to take Archie Harrison Mountbatten-Windsor and daughter, Lilibet Diana Mountbatten-Windsor, to the Invictus Games.
Prine Harry smiles and looks on at the Invictus Games where he shared son, Archie's reaction
Prince Harry | Samir Hussein/WireImage

Archie Harrison Mountbatten-Windsor is a fan of the Invictus Games. Founded by Prince Harry, the current Invictus Games are underway in The Netherlands. After kicking off the competition with his wife, Meghan Markle, the Duke of Sussex revealed Archie’s “unfiltered” reaction to the games. 

Prince Harry says being a father ‘adds another emotional layer’ to the Invictus Games

The Invictus Games, which end on April 16, 2022, mark a first for Harry. It’s his first time attending the competition as a husband and father. And, as the founder of the games told People, his perspective’s changed.

“Being a dad certainly adds another emotional layer to it,” the British Army veteran said. “When I was in the Army, I promised myself I would be out before having a wife and kids.” 

His reason? “Because I couldn’t imagine the heartache of being apart for so long during deployment,” he began. He also noted “the risk of possibly getting injured” and the “reality that my family’s lives could be changed forever if that happened.”

He continued, saying, “Every member of the Invictus community has experienced varying degrees of these things. I have tremendous respect for what they and their families sacrifice in the name of service.”

Archie’s Invictus Games reaction: ‘He absolutely loved it’

In the same interview, Harry shared Archie’s Invictus Games reaction. 

“I showed Archie a video of wheelchair basketball and rugby from the Invictus Games in Sydney,” Harry said, referencing the 2018 competition. According to Harry, Archie “absolutely loved it.” 

The Duke of Sussex continued, sharing that he didn’t just play the video for his 2-year-old son. He also explained. “I showed him how some were missing legs and explained that some had invisible injuries, too,” Harry said. He did so “not because he asked, but because I wanted to tell him.” 

“Kids understand so much, and to see it through his eyes was amazing because it’s so unfiltered and honest,” he added. 

Sharing the Invictus Games with Meghan Markle and their children means a lot to Prince Harry

Meghan Markle and Prince Harry clap at the opening ceremony of the Invictus Games
Meghan Markle and Prince Harry | Chris Jackson/Getty Images for the Invictus Games Foundation
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It’s only a matter of time before Archie’s Invictus Games debut. The same can be said for Lili’s. Harry revealed that he and Meghan “can’t wait” to bring their kids to the Invictus Games. 

In the meantime, the 37-year-old is enjoying experiencing the adaptive sports competition with his wife. “Now, five years later, here we are in The Hague at the fifth Invictus Games, as parents of two, and living in the U.S.,” Harry said, referencing his first public appearance with Meghan at the 2017 Invictus Games. 

“I had always wanted to share these incredible moments with someone special, and to have Meg by my side means everything,” he concluded. 

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