Prince Harry and Dr. Jill Biden came together to applaud wounded warrior athletes.
The pair took part in a Zoom event yesterday in honor of this year's Warrior Games, which both the Duke of Sussex and the First Lady were slated to attend this week in Orlando, Florida, before it was canceled due to coronavirus concerns. The U.S. Department of Defense's annual sports event celebrates "the resiliency and dedication of wounded, ill, and injured active duty and veteran U.S. military service members."
Calling in from his Montecito, California, home, Harry said that his 2013 visit to the Warrior Games inspired him to create his own Invictus Games, a multinational sporting event for injured and sick service members and veterans.
"The Invictus Games never would've been created had I not been inspired by every single one of you, and your companions and your families, and everything you've given in service to this country," he said.
He continued, "These games are so important, whether it's the Warrior Games or the Invictus Games. It is the ultimate reminder of service both at home and overseas. It is about the physical and the mental fitness of those who have sacrificed so much.
"To see every single one of you here with the pride on your faces makes me incredibly happy to know how far you guys have come, the dark places that you've been to, and where you are now. Thank you for inspiring us. Thank you for showing us the way. You guys are leaders in every aspect of your lives, both while serving and within your communities as well. This community is as strong as ever and that also makes me incredibly proud," he added.
Harry attended the Warrior Games in Colorado in 2013 and put on his first Invictus Games in London one year later. Dr. Biden attended both the 2016 Invictus Games in Orlando and the 2017 Games in Toronto, where she was joined by then Vice President Joe Biden and President Barack Obama.
During the virtual event, Dr. Biden recalled supporting the Duke of Sussex at the first Invictus Games seven years ago and praised the British Army veteran's dedication to "lifting up service members from around the globe."
See the virtual event in its entirety below.
Quinci LeGardye is an LA-based freelance writer who covers culture, politics, and mental health through a Black feminist lens. When she isn’t writing or checking Twitter, she’s probably watching the latest K-drama or giving a concert performance in her car.
