Prince Harry shared a light-hearted moment with a competitor at the Invictus Games in Vancouver on Saturday when the athlete cheekily questioned his royal credentials.
The Duke of Sussex, 40, was greeting participants at the opening ceremony when one enthusiastic sportsman asked if he was really a prince.
After Harry confirmed his royal status, the competitor gestured to his own head and asked: “Where is your crown?”
The exchange, which took place in a Vancouver stadium, left the prince laughing hysterically as the pair shared a warm embrace.
Invictus Games athlete quizzes Prince Harry about his ‘crown’ in awkward moment
Getty / X
The moment was captured on camera and shared on social media by a Team Ukraine supporter, quickly garnering over 500 likes within an hour.
The clip, which has been viewed more than 3,000 times, shows the competitor making a playful crown gesture with his hands whilst questioning the prince.
Harry, who is fifth in line to the British throne, appeared visibly amused by the exchange.
Social media users were charmed by the interaction, with one commenting: “The thing that strikes me watching this is how good and at ease he is with people.”
Prince Harry greeting a Ukrainian Invictus Games athlete
X
The Invictus Games, founded by Prince Harry in 2014, is an annual sporting event for wounded military veterans from over 20 nations.
This year’s event in Vancouver marks a historic milestone as it introduces winter sports for the first time.
More than 500 competitors from 23 countries have gathered for the nine-day competition.
The Games have previously been held across the globe, including London, Orlando, Toronto, Sydney, The Hague and Dusseldorf.
Meghan Markle and Prince Harry pictured at the Invictus Games in Vancouver
PA
Meghan Markle and Prince Harry at the Invictus Games Opening Ceremony
PA
The opening ceremony began with a parade of nations, with Germany, last year’s host nation, leading the procession into BC Place arena.
The touching moment concluded with the competitor thanking Prince Harry as they shared an embrace, marking one of the most memorable exchanges of the opening ceremony.
Another social media user responded to the clip by writing: “My god they love him so so much.”
The warm interaction exemplified the spirit of unity that Harry later addressed in his speech, where he told the crowd: “In this moment of difficulty and division in many parts of the world, we gather here in Vancouver in a spirit of unity.”
