Podcast 136 – Countdown to Prince Harry’s Invictus Games The Hague

The countdown is on to the start of the Invictus Games that are taking place this year at The Hague in the Netherlands.  The opening ceremony and a few sporting events take place on Easter Saturday, continuing thereafter up to the closing ceremony on Friday April 22nd, 2022. 

The Invictus Games, founded by Prince Harry and based on the US Warrior Games,  are designed for wounded, injured and sick servicemen and women, both serving and veterans. The idea is to use the power of sport to inspire recovery, support rehabilitation and to generate a wider public understanding, acceptance and respect for those servicemen and women who are injured while serving their country. 

Meghan Markle accompanied Harry to the Sydney Games in 2018. We have heard that she will be travelling with Harry to the Hague Games this year. 

The Games will take place in the existing Zuiderpark or South Park in the Hague, an area established in the city in 1936,  where recreational, sporting events and outdoor concerts are often held. Approximately 700 volunteers will be helping out during the week-long Games. 

So, what can you expect to see at the event? There will be the more traditional athletics, powerlifting, cycling, and swimming as well as wheelchair rugby, sitting volleyball, and one of my favourites the indoor rowing. This year,  they have added a Land Rover Driving Challenge that sees competitors drive through a series of  obstacles in the right order from start to finish – a bit like a horse-jumping event but using Land Rovers. 

Ticket prices to watch the competitions are modestly priced,  with free access to other parts of the park and a Fanzone where the public can listen to music or take part in other side activities,  all geared to accommodate people with disabilities.

Dutch Royalty are also taking part. Princess Margriet is honorary chairman of the Committee of Recommendation of the Invictus Games The Hague 2020,  and she will be present at the one and a half-hour opening ceremony, which includes the flag parade similar to what takes place at the opening ceremony at the Olympics. King Willem-Alexander will attend the closing ceremony.

This will Meghan’s first official trip outside of the United States since she and Harry stepped back as senior working royals.  According to media reports she and Harry will be joined by a Netflix documentary crew.  This makes perfect sense as we know from Meghan and Harry’s Archewell website that their Archewell Production company is producing a documentary series called "Heart of Invictus," which will showcase stories about the Games, the competitors,  and will follow some of the competitors on their journey leading up to and including taking part at The Hague 2020.

It will be great to see Meghan and Harry back in action. 

Please keep listening for future podcasts on all things Meghan, Harry, Archie and Lili. Reach out to me through my blog at https://www.kindthoughtsformeghanmarkle.com/ and on twitter https://twitter.com/JeanetteSongolo

Please keep listening for future podcasts on all things Meghan, Harry, Archie and Lili and in the meantime watch out for other posts on all things Sussex on my blog at https://www.kindthoughtsformeghanmarkle.com/