The Duchess of Sussex has been criticised for appearing to move an Invictus Games’ attendee’s wheelchair without permission at the Invictus Games.
Meghan Markle, 43, and her husband, Prince Harry, 40, met with Team Canada at the True Patriot Love Foundation breakfast yesterday to celebrate the team and their friends and family before the official start of the 2025 games.
The conversation was in full flow among the teammates and the Montecito-based couple when a well-intentioned Meghan moved a team member’s wheelchair – but didn’t appear to ask for her permission beforehand.
In a short video clip, which was shared to Meghan’s Instagram, the team member stopped talking mid-conversation as the Duchess moved her towards the group in preparation for a photograph.
The incident has struck a nerve with wheelchair users on X, with one writing on the platform: ‘My daughter is in a wheelchair, and someone else trying to move it is a huge NO!
‘Their wheelchair is an extension of themselves. Meghan is in her personal space and needs to stop.’
Other social media users took to the comment section to agree that the 43-year-old should not have moved the wheelchair unless she gained permission beforehand.
One said: ‘So rude and disrespectful!’
The Duchess of Sussex is seen in footage apparently moving a Team Canada member whilst at the True Patriot Love Foundation breakfast in Vancouver yesterday
The athlete appeared to stop talking mid conversation as Meghan got her in position for a photograph
The athlete appeared to stop talking mid conversation as Meghan got her in position for a photograph
Another questioned: ‘Isn’t that woman in the wheelchair an athlete? Why does she need to be pushed?’
‘I’ve had that happen it’s very rude to presume you can just push someone without asking if they require assistance, disabled doesn’t mean dumb,’ said another.
A fourth added: ‘Some of the onlookers look horrified too.’
It comes after Meghan Markle offered the perfect riposte to Donald Trump’s recent remarks about her relationship with Prince Harry, offering a ‘breathless’ display that shows she’s adoring – and, crucially, adored – at the opening ceremony of the Invictus Games.
Body language expert Judi James, who analysed the couple’s interactions at the fanfare ceremony in Vancouver, said it was clear that the Duchess of Sussex was determined to put on a loved-up display.
This week, the US president suggested he wouldn’t challenge Prince Harry about his immigration status, saying the royal had ‘enough problems with his wife’, wasping: ‘She’s terrible’.
Onlookers took to X to explain their thoughts on Meghan appearing to move the athlete – and many were upset
High energy in Vancouver as Invictus Games 2025 get off the mark
James told MailOnline the message to Mr Trump on Saturday night was clear, saying: ‘When he made his derogatory comments about Harry and Meghan, Meghan’s body language response seemed to be ‘Hold my coat’ as she put on one of the most emphatic sets of bonding and adoration rituals ever.’
With all the gusto of a Second Lady in the White House, the Duchess seemed to be very keen to show just how close the pair are, added the expert.
James explained: ‘During her intro speech welcoming her husband on stage, Meghan delivered in a similarly breathless, excitable, ‘spontaneous’ style as she did in her recent Insta post about the Billie Eilish merchandise.’
‘Her ‘Oh gosh’ delivery included traits like eye-rolling to suggest surprise, sighing breathlessly, tossing her hair and pushing it back from her face and even the same squealing and whispering to suggest barely-contained emotions.’
And despite the couple being wed for nearly seven years, there was more than a whiff of ‘just married’ about the pair’s appearance.
James said: ‘Her introduction of Harry involved the kind of coyness signals you’d normally see from a newlywed, implying deliberately to the audience that she was still embarrassed by her depth of feeling for him.
‘Her “I want to introduce a man who means a lot to me” came with more knowing ‘aside’ eye-rolls to the audience, a peacocking hair preen and a coy smile.’
The Duchess of Sussex, 43, packed on the PDA as she announced her husband and also while the pair watched the opening ceremony from the stands.
Tender face holding when all eyes were on the couple signified their almost ‘newlywed’ happiness, says body language expert Judi James – sending a powerful message about their relationship
The Duchess of Sussex seemed keen to prove that she was an adoring – and adored wife – with their appearance packed with PDAs
Crowd cheer as Harry and Meghan ride golf cart to Invictus Games event
The perfect riposte? Meghan Markle appeared to use the Invictus Opening Ceremony as the perfect opportunity to pour scorn on Donald Trump’s comments about her relationship
Said James: ‘Meghan squealed and giggled and stepped back to hold her arms out to greet him with a kiss on the cheek before extending one arm to direct him towards the mic.
‘Sitting in the stands watching the ceremony, Meghan displayed herself in several poses of pride and love. She clung to Harry’s arm, leaning in towards him like a fan and clutching his hand in an ownership gesture that seemed to (unnecessarily) let everyone, including Trump, know “He’s all mine”.’
The affectionate display came shortly after Trump announced he had no plans to deport Harry from the US amid a legal battle over his immigration status because of his ‘problems with his wife’.
‘I don’t want to do that,’ Trump said on Friday. ‘I’ll leave him alone. He’s got enough problems with his wife. She’s terrible,’ he told the New York Post.
It seems the couple were both ready to show the world President Trump’s comments were wrong – whether it be on a golf buggy transporting them to their seats, or on stage.
Says James: ‘Meghan’s beaming smile involved heavy lip compressions and crinkling to emphasis pride in her man and she used face-touching rituals to register ownership, like stroking his cheek and neck with one hand and, in probably the biggest, most ‘triumphant’ public signal.
‘Standing to clasp his face in both her hands before kissing him on the lips as though sending her own personal hero off to make his appearance on stage.’
Meghan tentatively placing her hand on Harry’s arm during the ceremony with their fingers frequently interlocking; it was ‘an emphatic display of bonding’, says James
The former Suits actress was beaming as she raised her blue pom-poms in the air
Close: Meghan wrapped up in a long cream trench coat as she fashionably battled against Canada’s frosty temperatures
Moment Harry and Meghan engage in passionate PDA at Invictus Games
The Duchess, who wrapped up in a long cream trench coat as she battled against Canada’s frosty temperatures, leaned against her husband before planting a big kiss, grabbing the attention of onlookers.
She also enthusiastically shook her pom-poms while placing a possessive hand on Harry. ‘Meghan used non-verbal signals to make herself seen as Harry’s own private cheerleader, literally lifting to large blue pom-poms at one point.
‘Her body language looked somewhere between a teenager on a date night and a proud mom at a school open night.
‘It was an emphatic display of bonding, with even references to packing lunch boxes for the school run and her “My husband, the father of my very sweet and exciting children” seeming to cement the fact that they are a very strong, ‘perfect’ and besotted family unit.’
The couple were smiling from ear to ear as they watched the Invictus opening ceremony in Vancouver
It is understood Meghan’s sole purpose in attending these games is to support her husband and the competitors sharing their brave stories
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She was expected to have a busy start to 2025, after relaunching her Instagram account and projects from her lifestyle brand American Riviera Orchard, podcast and show all on the horizon.
Some critics questioned her motives for delaying her Netflix launch by two months – but insiders told PEOPLE Magazine it was an ‘easy decision’ for Meghan to make.
The Duke and Duchess previously dismissed allegations about their difficult behaviour towards staff made by Vanity Fair in January.
The damning profile in the magazine – headlined ‘American Hustle’ – stated that Meghan could be ‘really, really awful’ when things did not go her way.
Citing multiple sources who have worked for the Sussexes since they quit Britain five years ago, the magazine alleged that Meghan would be ‘warm and effusive’ towards employees before turning ‘cold and withholding toward the person she perceived to be responsible‘ when something went wrong.
Things ‘went poorly, often due to Meghan and Harry’s own demands’, one insider claimed.
The couple have reportedly dismissed the allegations, with sources close to the Sussexes describing them as ‘distressing’.
It later appeared to be the case that Meghan’s podcast with Lemonada Media – which seemingly teased new episodes at the start of January – was also delayed.
Prince Harry smiles with his wife Meghan at the Invictus Games ceremony on Saturday
The couple smile at the ceremony of the Games they first went public with their romance at the 2017 Invictus Games
Prince Harry and Meghan Markle enter the ceremony to an outburst of cheers from the crowd
Prince Harry during the opening ceremonies of the 2025 Invictus Games in Vancouver
Prince Harry later took to the stage to speak of his ¿sacred obligation¿ to do everything he can to help military veterans like himself as he was given a hero¿s welcome at the opening ceremony of the Invictus Games
Harry told the crowd: ‘In this moment of difficulty and division in many parts of the world, we gather here in Vancouver in a spirit of unity. We represent 23 nations
Prince Harry and Meghan Markle speak at Invictus Games in Canada
The nine-day sporting event – created by Harry in 2014 for wounded, injured and sick servicemen and women – will see more than 500 competitors from 23 countries come together.
This years games will include winter sports for the first time ever.
The games have previously been held in London in 2014, in Orlando in 2016, Toronto in 2017, Sydney in 2018, The Hague in 2022 and Dusseldorf in 2023.
The opening ceremony began with a parade of nations taking part in the week long event, with Germany, who hosted the 2023 games in Dusseldorf, first to enter the BC Place arena.
Two competitors from Team Afghan were given a huge cheer, but the loudest noise was reserved for the host nation Canada.
Giant inflatables of a whale and dolphin hovered above the military veterans from the ceiling of the stadium with the sea creatures signifying Vancouver’s links to the Pacific Ocean.
Prince Harry later took to the stage to speak of his ‘sacred obligation’ to do everything he can to help military veterans like himself as he was given a hero’s welcome at the opening ceremony of the Invictus Games.
As his wife Meghan looked on adoringly from the stands, he said those who had gathered in Vancouver were there in a ‘spirit of unity’ while in parts of the world there was division and difficulty.
Harry told the crowd: ‘In this moment of difficulty and division in many parts of the world, we gather here in Vancouver in a spirit of unity. We represent 23 nations.
Meghan Markle and Prince Harry pose for selfies with Nelly Furtado
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Meghan makes gushing Invictus Games speech about Harry – ‘the father of our very sweet children’
‘Speak many different languages and reflect the full breadth of the world’s religions and faiths.
‘Beyond any differences, here at the Invictus Games we are grounded in mutual respect, competing fiercely, but believing in one another. Supporting one another. And rooting for one another.
‘The Games were born more than a decade ago, from a promise I made to myself.
‘A promise to uphold my obligation—a sacred obligation after my own decade and privilege of military service —to do whatever I could to help my fellow brothers and sisters heal, and to champion everything we stand for.
‘Over the past decade I’ve lost count of the times we’ve heard you tell us that the Invictus Games saved you. Respectfully, I disagree. Invictus didn’t save you. You saved yourself.’
Saying there was ‘no shortage of crises’ in the world, he added: ‘The values you embody—the way you carry yourselves—not only at the Invictus Games, but each and every day… your courage, your resilience, your humanity…illuminate a path forward for us all and for that, we thank you.
‘Your leadership did not end when you stepped off the battlefield or took off the uniform. It endures. The example you set is a compass for the world.’
The Prince finished off his speech with a quotation from American writer Toni Morrison – who his wife Meghan is a fan of.
Harry drops ceremonial puck to mark the start of Invictus Games
Danish athletes also make their way into the stadium for tonight’s opening ceremony of the Invictus Games
Dutch athletes take part in the parade during the opening ceremony of the Invictus Games
Nigerian athletes take part in the parade during the opening ceremony of the Invictus Games
Israeli athletes take part in the parade during the opening ceremony of the Invictus Games
Athletes and the crowd burst into cheers as the ceremony continues in Vancouver tonightThe Duchess shared her personal list of 10 women who have changed her life and career in an interview with Glamour in 2017. Nobel Prize-winning author Morrison, best known for her first novel The Bluest Eye (1970), was one of them.
Having taken a class on the author at university, Meghan said at the time: ‘The first time I read The Bluest Eye, I thought, ‘Wow! She creates this world for you that you get to feel a part of.’
But tonight’s show hasn’t been without issues, as the Invictus Games livestream was plagued with sound problems later apologising to remote spectators.
It said: ‘We are aware of audio issues on the livestream of the opening ceremony for the Invictus Games Vancouver 2025.
‘We are trying to fix them and appreciate your patience.’
A star-studded line-up graced the Invictus stage tonight in Vancouver, including A-listers such as Katy Perry, Coldplay’s Chris Martin, Noah Kahan and Nelly Furtado.
Frontman Martin performed the Invictus Anthem, which he was previously asked to write by Prince Harry in 2014, accompanied by choir and military band.
Later, he jibbed that Prince Harry had tried to get many other performers to write the Invictus anthem – and he was his last resort.
Coldplay’s Chris Martin performed the Invictus Anthem accompanied by choir and military band
Martin joked to the crowd that it was so cold inside the stadium that it was ‘like playing a concert in a ‘frozen food section’, and went on to sing Coldplay’s hit ‘Higher Power
Nelly Furtado graced the stage with a sensational performance during tonight’s opening ceremony
The Canadian songstress also took to the stage in an all-black ensemble, starting with one of her most famous hits, I’m Like A Bird.
Stick Season crooner Noah Kahan also took to the stage at tonight’s ceremony, singing his best-known tracks which led to his rise to stardom
Britain’s Prince Harry and Meghan, Duchess of Sussex are shown on a big screen as they attend the opening ceremony
Nelly Furtado entertains crowd with her performance at Invictus Games
Two back up singers where dressed in all black as he stood in the centre of podium as the anthem was crooned to the crowd, with Martin later singing Coldplay’s hit ‘Higher Power.
The Brit also joked that it was so cold inside the stadium that it was ‘like playing a concert in a ‘frozen food section’.
The audience was later brought to their feet with one of the Brit-pop biggest hits, Viva La Vida.
Nelly Furtado, who has sold more than 45million records and is one of Canada’s most successful Canada also took to the stage in an all-black ensemble, starting with one of her most famous hits, I’m Like A Bird.
She was joined onstage by Indigenous blind music producer and recording artist Mattmac. The rapper has had more than 30 million streams across all platforms.
Stick Season singer Noah Kahan also took to the stage at tonight’s ceremony, singing his best-known tracks which led to his rise to stardom and earned him a nomination for the Grammy Award for Best New Artist in 2023.
Closing out tonight’s ceremony was pop superstar Katy Perry taking centre stage in a military-inspired outfit, accompanied by a military band.
The American singer started with her inspirational anthem, which holds an empowering message for the athletes: ‘I got the eye of the tiger, a fighter dancing through the fire, ’cause I am a champion and you’re gonna hear me roar.’
Attendees fill the venue in Vancouver as they gear up to compete in the Invictus Games
The atmosphere is electric as military personnel prepare to compete against one in another in the sporting competition
A cheering crowd member waving their blue pom-poms as the opening ceremony gets underway
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She followed it up with older hits Dark Horse and Part Of Me and a recent 2024 song LIFETIMES.
He also hugged a female competitor as he and Meghan had a breakfast meeting ahead of the opening ceremony.
The couple were warmly greeted by the Canadian team with Meghan posting video of the encounter to her Instagram story – complete with Harry seemingly attempting to do the ‘twist’.
Harry and Meghan couldn’t resist handing out hugs as they spent time hearing about how many of the competitors have overcome adversity to make the games.
Meghan has never shied away from showing her support for her home country. At the Dusseldorf games in 2023 she was happy to drape herself in the Stars and Stripes flag.
Aides said the couple were able to hear the stories of courage and resilience from competitors taking part in the seventh Invictus Games.
US Military and Government officials were also at the meeting – but its unlikely President Donald Trump’s less than complimentary remarks about Meghan were raised.
The meeting with Team Canada was organised by the True Patriot Love organisation who are one of the sponsors of the Vancouver Games.
The Duke of Sussex showed off his dancing skills as he met members of the Canadian team taking part in the Invictus Games
Prince Harry, pictured with his wife Meghan in Whistler last year, are remembered fondly by the Canadian public after the couple moved to Vancouver Island in 2020
Prince Harry takes to the stage in Canada speaking at Invictus
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The couple famously appeared in public together for the first time at the Toronto Invictus Games in 2017, pictured hand-in-hand at a wheelchair tennis event.
In 2023, Meghan and Harry cheered on athletes among the crowds at the Invictus Games in Dusseldorf, Germany.
The Duke and Duchess of Sussex were sitting side-by-side clapping and also reacting to the game tensely as they watched the wheelchair basketball with Australia supporters.
While Meghan is understood to have several projects on the horizon, her family remains her top priority and she is determined to continue to stand together with Harry to support the causes they care about.
The couple visited Colombia for a four-day tour last August, with the trip focusing on tackling cyber-bullying and online digital violence as well as promoting women’s leadership.
They also embarked on a three-day visit to Nigeria earlier in 2024 at the invitation of the West African nation’s chief of defense staff.
Meghan Markle has been spotted adoringly watching her husband Prince Harry as he opened the seventh edition of the Invictus Games
This will be the seventh edition of the games, established by Harry in 2014, and will begin in the city today, bringing together more than 500 competitors from 23 nations. It is also the first time the games will include winter sports
British veterans and serving personnel who were injured during service departed for Canada earlier this week for the games.
The 62 competitors – all veterans and serving personnel who sustained life-changing injuries and illnesses while serving in the UK Armed Forces – left the country from Birmingham Airport on Thursday.
The games aim to ‘inspire recovery, support rehabilitation and generate a wider understanding and respect for those who have served their country’, the Royal British Legion said.
Ahead of the highly anticipated sporting event, Meghan gave an impromptu speech at a private event for the Games where she divulged she felt ‘at home’ in Canada.
After giving her husband an smooch on stage, the Duchess of Sussex began to shower her husband with praise for his dedication to the event.
Highlighting the sporting event’s importance of the event, Meghan told military veterans and their families that they were her husband’s ‘family’.
The Duke and Duchess of Sussex moved to Vancouver Island in 2020 after quitting the royal family in what became known as ‘Megxit’.
Prince Harry pledges to ‘uphold promise’ at Invictus Games opening
Meghan, 43, also lived in Toronto for several years where the Netfix series ‘Suits’ was filmed and famously made their first appearance together as a couple at the 2017 Invictus Games held in the city.
She said: ‘I was not planning on speaking tonight, and we just arrived, I don’t know, a couple of hours ago, and I touched Canadian soil and I went, oh, it feels like home.’
Turning to Harry she continued: ‘We are just thrilled to be here, and I would be remiss if I didn’t take the opportunity to introduce someone who means a lot to me. And I know he means quite a lot to all of you. You will see him throughout this week.
‘You will see him at the Games. You will see him probably curling with you, cheering you on.’
