Prince Harry Introduces British Invictus Games Team

As if the world didn’t adore Prince Harry enough, let’s all adore him a little bit more for his selflessness and his kind spirit. The prince has worked hard the past few months to recognize and honor those wounded in battle, and as a result he’s bringing to the world the Invictus Games. The Paralympic-style games feature only vets that have been wounded in battle and are no longer able to serve their country. And for those who think the prince only attached his name to this cause, think again.

“Harry has done a lot behind the scenes. The idea wouldn’t have been viable in Harry wasn’t involved,” states Clive Smith, 28, a former member of the British Army who lost both legs in an IED explosion. He made the team and is participating in the hand cycle portion of the event.

“He has an honest interest in the wounded, injured and sick in the armed forces. He likes to see that they get treated for the conditions they have and that everything out there that can be given to us is available,” says Grant Harvey, 41, who suffers from MS.

Prince Harry took time from his schedule this week to introduce the British team. The 130-person team will compete against teams from 14 countries all over the world – including the US. More than 400 participants will compete in the games over the course of 5 days beginning September 10 in London.

“I cannot wait to watch this team competing against the other nations. I’d like to congratulate you on making the team. These men and women here have achieved so much already but being selected for this team is another significant milestone in their life beyond injury,” he said as he introduced the team.

Of course, in true Prince Harry style, the event wasn’t without some laughter from the crowd.

“So…prosthetics, dogs, wheelchairs, high-performance cars, 4x4s, tattoos…we’ve got everything here – it could only be the Invictus Games,” he began his introduction to the crowd’s delight. In addition to the human members of the team, the British team also has its own mascot. Fire is a 5-and-a-half year old Lab. He worked as a bomb sniffing dog in the royal army and was injured in an IED attack in 2012. He’s no longer in active service due to serious injury, but she now belongs to Col. Neil Smith and she’s fully recovered from her broken jaw and injuries sustained by pellets that damaged her legs.

Finishing up his speech, Harry made time to speak with the team and pose for photos with anyone who asked.

(Photo by Ben Stansall – WPA Pool/Getty Images)