Meghan Markle and Prince Harry Have a Jumbotron Moment at Star-Studded Invictus Games Opening Ceremony

The Duke and Duchess of Sussex are kicking off this year’s Invictus Games in Vancouver and Whistler

Prince Harry and Meghan Markle attend the Invictus Games opening ceremony in Canada on Feb. 8, 2025. Photo: Samir Hussein/Samir Hussein/WireImage

Meghan Markle and Prince Harry are kicking off the official start of the 2025 Invictus Games in Canada.

On Sat., Feb. 8, the Duke and Duchess attended the opening ceremony of Invictus Games Vancouver Whistler 2025 at BC Place in Vancouver. The adaptive sports tournament, which Harry founded in 2014, will run through Feb. 16 and celebrate the strength and courage of wounded, injured and sick service personnel and veterans all over the world.

At the opening ceremony, which PEOPLE is attending, the couple cheered on the athletes as they entered during the Parade of Nations, with Meghan using her phone camera to capture the action. Some of her footage might pop up on her newly launched Instagram page, where she posted a number of Instagram Stories earlier in the day.

Meghan, who wore an ivory trench coat from Sentaler — one of her go-to brands — also waved blue pom poms, which were provided to the audience members.

At one point, Meghan and Harry appeared on the Jumbotron, drawing big cheers from the crowd, PEOPLE observed. Meghan turned to her husband, smiling and rubbing his back as he gave a wave.

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Over 550 competitors from 23 nations entered BC Place in a parade. Team Ukraine received a standing ovation upon arrival into the area, PEOPLE observed, and Team Canada was the last to enter sporting flannel shirts.

The star-studded ceremony will see performances from Katy Perry, Noah Kahan, Nelly Furtado, Roxane Bruneau and Chris Martin of Coldplay. Martin has a special connection to the Games — he not only composed the Invictus Anthem in 2014, inspired by the poem “Invictus” by William Ernest Henley, but his music has also been the soundtrack to the Games’ medal ceremonies.

This year’s Invictus Games will feature up to 550 athletes from 25 nations competing in 11 adaptive sports. It’s a significant milestone for the Games, which are expanding to include winter adaptive sports like alpine skiing, snowboarding and skeleton — alongside the core events of wheelchair basketball and swimming.

Prince Harry and Meghan Markle attend the Invictus Games opening ceremony in Canada on Feb. 8, 2025.Samir Hussein/Samir Hussein/WireImage

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This will be the fifth time Meghan and Harry have attended the Invictus Games together, having previously supported the event in Sydney, Australia; The Hague, Netherlands; and Düsseldorf, Germany.

For Harry and Meghan, the Games hold personal significance. Canada has been central to their journey, from their first public appearance as a couple at the 2017 Invictus Games in Toronto to their time living on Vancouver Island after stepping back from royal duties in 2020.

The closing ceremony of the Invictus Games Vancouver Whistler will feature performances by Jelly Roll, Barenaked Ladies and The War and Treaty, rounding out the event with a high-energy musical send-off.

Prince Harry and Meghan Markle attend the Invictus Games opening ceremony in Canada on Feb. 8, 2025.Samir Hussein/Samir Hussein/WireImage

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Robyn McVicker, Chief Operating Officer of the Invictus Games, previously told PEOPLE that Harry had “input” when it came to selecting the headlining acts.

“We’ve been thrilled to be able to work with him on the approach to the [ceremonies]. We’ve kept him posted about shortlists and what we’re talking about. He’s had input,” McVicker said.

Adding to the excitement surrounding their trip, Meghan’s Netflix series, With Love, Meghan, is set to premiere on March 4. The show will reportedly explore themes of home, lifestyle, and personal reflections, aligning with Meghan’s growing role as a content creator and entrepreneur.