Prince Harry wipes away tear as he gives standing ovation to heroic Everest climber

Prince Harry shared an emotional moment with fellow veterans at the first-ever Invictus Spirit Awards in London, where he paid tribute to the courage and determination at the heart of the community he founded.

The Duke of Sussex was warmly welcomed by former rugby star James Haskell as he arrived at the ceremony in Greenwich. 

Harry also appeared to compliment the former rugby ace on his appearance before taking to the stage to deliver a powerful speech about the meaning behind the inaugural awards.

Harry told guests that the evening was about recognising “character” and the qualities he has witnessed throughout the Invictus community over the past 12 years.

He described the Invictus spirit as “courage without bravado” and “strength without ego”, speaking about those who have faced injury, illness, trauma and loss before finding the determination to rebuild their lives.

The Duke reflected on the experience that first shaped his understanding of the challenges facing injured service personnel. 

He recalled flying home from Afghanistan in 2008 alongside three seriously injured British servicemen and the coffin of a Danish soldier.

That experience stayed with him, he said, because it showed him how military service can provide people with “purpose, identity, belonging, a team”, while an injury or illness can suddenly take those things away.

Years later, after seeing the Warrior Games in the United States, the Duke helped bring the idea of a similar competition to Britain. 

Twelve years on, Harry told guests that the Invictus community has grown to include 26 nations, with thousands of people benefiting from the movement.

But he stressed that its greatest successes are not necessarily the achievements that make headlines.

“Sometimes victory is getting out of bed or asking for help,” he said, highlighting the quieter milestones of recovery, from returning to work and reconnecting with family to finding a sense of purpose after military service.

Harry also looked ahead to the future of the movement, confirming that preparations are underway for the Invictus Games in Birmingham in 2027 and Daejeon, South Korea, in 2029.

Harry visibly moved by Hari Budha Magar's story

The emotional tone of the evening deepened when the first awards were presented, with the Invictus Resilience Award going to Hari Budha Magar.

Hari lost both legs above the knee in an IED blast in Afghanistan in 2010. 

After undergoing multiple surgeries and enduring a period of profound psychological struggle, he found a new sense of direction through mountaineering.

The Duke was seen wiping away a tear before rising to his feet to give Hari a standing ovation, joining the room in celebrating a remarkable story of resilience.