Prince Harry received a warm welcome from Dutch King Willem-Alexander on the final day of the Invictus Games.
The Duke of Sussex, dressed in a dark blue suit and blue shirt, greeted the Dutch head of state with a smile as they shook hands.
Accompanied by Mark de Cruyff, chairman of the tournament, the two royals posed for a picture before heading inside the venue where veterans and service personnel from around the world were competing.
Inside the stadium, Harry and the monarch watched a wheelchair basketball match between the Dutch and US teams.
In a candid moment captured in a photo, King Willem-Alexander appeared to be sharing a laugh while speaking with Prince Harry.
Fans of the Duke of Sussex quickly reacted to the cheerful images, with some questioning the Dutch King’s absence earlier in the event.
Despite the warm reception, it was noted that Meghan Markle was not received by the Dutch royal family upon their arrival in the Netherlands for the Invictus Games.
The Duke and Duchess of Sussex, who have distanced themselves from royal duties and titles, reportedly did not receive an audience with King Willem-Alexander or an offer to stay at the royal palace.
The relationship between the Dutch and British royal families was highlighted during King Willem-Alexander’s recent visit to London, where he attended Prince Philip‘s service of thanksgiving alongside Queen Maxima and Princess Beatrix.
The ties between the two royal households were further emphasized during a reception commemorating the Anglo-Netherlands Society’s centenary.
As the current edition of the Invictus Games concludes, Prince Harry has already generated excitement for future tournaments.
Next year, the Games will be held in Dusseldorf, Germany, welcoming veterans and military personnel who have faced physical or mental challenges during their service.
Looking ahead to 2025, the Duke announced significant changes for the Invictus Tournament, which will return to Canada and feature winter sports like alpine skiing and wheelchair curling.
Expressing his enthusiasm for the evolving nature of the Invictus Games, Prince Harry revealed plans for the first-ever Winter Hybrid Games in 2025, to be hosted in Vancouver and Whistler.
The Games will include a variety of winter adaptive sports and will be held in partnership with First Nations communities, emphasizing a spirit of truth and reconciliation with indigenous groups.
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