Prince Harry And Meghan Markle Meet Invictus Games Hopefuls

Prince Harry and Meghan Markle have delighted athletes and their friends and families by making a special appearance at the Invictus Games team trials.

The Prince and his fiancee met athletes competing for places in the field and track events out on the athletics track at the University of Bath Sports Training Village.

They chatted to competitors taking part in the shot put before moving inside to meet those competing in wheelchair volleyball.

Scores of photographers lined up to try and get a snap of the couple, who first stepped out together in public at the Games in Toronto last year.

The Prince is the founder of the Invictus Games, an international Paralympic-style sporting event for wounded, injured and sick servicemen and women, and veterans, and his support boosts its profile.

This year the Games, which use the power of sport to inspire recovery, support rehabilitation and generate a wider understanding for all those who serve their country, are heading Down Under.

Forces Network's Karen Thorpe has taken a looks back at the Prince and his fiancee's special relationship with them...

Sydney, Australia, will be the fourth city to host them, after London in 2014, Orlando in 2016 and Toronto last year, which was attended by Ms Markle.

But athletes trying to secure a place are facing tougher competition than ever before.

A total of 451 athletes have applied to be part of the team - almost 75% of whom have never competed in the Invictus Games before.

With only 72 places on the team, it means athletes have a one in seven chance of success.

In Harry's closing speech at Toronto last year, he encouraged competitors to spread the word and persuade other veterans to apply to the games.

His encouragement seems to have worked - 45% of those applying have never applied before.

It is likely Ms Markle and the Prince, who is a patron of the Invictus Games Foundation, which oversees the delivery of the tournament, will be among the spectators in Australia in October.

Meanwhile, athletes will have to wait until May to find out if they made it onto Team UK.

More than 500 competitors from 18 nations will compete at the Games in 11 adaptive sports, from October 20-27.

Cover picture courtesy of Andrew Matthews/PA Wire/PA Images.

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