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The Sussexes

Prince Harry says goodbye to The Invictus Games

<![CDATA[Doing it in style, Prince Harry bid farewell to The Invictus Games on Sunday night as the international event for wounded, injured and sick servicemen and women came to a spectacular end.
The Closing Ceremony, which was held on the south lawn of the Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park, saw the Foo Fighters headline as well as performances from Kaiser Chiefs, Ellie Goulding, Rizzle Kicks and Diversity. As well as a sensational concert, the closing ceremony also saw the medal presentations for the winning competitors.
Prince Harry on day one of The Invictus Games
Royal Marine Luke Darlington spoke before the Invictus Games even began about the impact the closing ceremony will have, “Everyone will have worked really hard to train and compete to represent the British Armed Forces team as best they can during these fantastic Invictus Games. The closing concert will be a brilliant way of drawing the events to a close. It will allow everybody to look back and reflect on what has been achieved not only in the build-up but during the Games as well.”
The Invictus Games were launched by Prince Harry earlier this year after he was inspired by the Warrior Games in the USA. Harry aimed to use the event to use the power of sport to inspire recovery as well as supporting rehabilitation. The Games were organised with the support and backing of the Royal Foundation of The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge and Prince Harry as well as the Ministry of Defence.
Ahead of their performance at the concert, the Foo Fighters had this to say, “Invictus Games, look out, the Foo Fighters are coming. What a perfect way to finally return to the UK for the first time in years, its been way too long. Thanks for having us, it is truly an honour to play for these incredible men and women.”
As well as the headline acts, the closing ceremony also saw Ryan Adams, Diversity, Military Wives Choir and James Blunt perform. James Blunt commented, “The men and women of the service community deserve all our support. I am so pleased to be a supporter of The Invictus Games and very honoured to be performing at this years closing concert.”
The event started at 5pm and highlights broadcasted on the BBC. The star guest at the ceremony was of course Prince Harry who also gave the thumbs up for the event, “I am hugely grateful to all the artists and organisers for coming together to put on what will be a truly awesome concert. It will be a celebration of everything the competitors have achieved over the four days of the Invictus Games, not to mention the efforts of the hundreds of other athletes we couldn’t fit into the teams this year. And for those who didn’t make it back from operations, this is also for you.”
The Invictus Games were began on 10th September 2014 and ran until 14th September 2014. The multi sport event for wounded servicemen and women saw competitors from 13 nations compete in sports such as Indoor Rowing, Road cycling and wheelchair basketball. It has since been suggested that the Invictus Games could become an annual competition.
All that is left to do is to say on behalf of Royal Central, thank you to Prince Harry and to the competitors for a truly remarkable and inspiring sporting spectacular, here is to The Invictus Games 2015!
Photo Credit: Invictus Games 2014]]>