Prince Harry makes powerful speech at first official engagement since UK return

Prince Harry has finally delivered a rousing speech at the Invictus Spirit Awards inauguration, marking his first official engagement since returning to the UK.

At the stage, the Duke of Sussex draws attention to his neat dress and, most importantly, the military medals he wears.

In his speech, he looked back at Invictus Games' origins, recalling how a fateful flight home from Afghanistan in 2008 became an eye-opener for him.

"Many of you know the story of how Invictus began. In 2008, flying home from Afghanistan, I travelled alongside three seriously injured British servicemen and the coffin of a Danish soldier."

That experience, Harry said, stayed with him and then shaped his life afterward.

"That flight stayed with me because it helped me begin to understand two things about the military that would shape the rest of my life: it gives you purpose, identity, belonging, and a team, and in a matter of seconds, injury or illness can take it all away."

The royal prince then explained what he believed the Invictus spirit is: “Courage without bravado." Strength without ego. Service without expectation."

But according to him, veterans' victories don't always happen in the field.

In his view, it is also everyday victories they achieve by getting up from bed, seeking quality time with family, and even asking for help, which is a victory in itself.

At the end, Harry ended his speech by calling this night belonging to the veterans, saying, Welcome to the Invictus Spirit Awards."

"And now, it is my great pleasure to welcome Nancy from ATCO to the stage," he concluded.