Prince Harry turned up at the Warrior Games in San Diego on Monday

A decade ago, Prince Harry was in America and he attended the Warrior Games. The Warrior Games were and are a way for veterans to compete in sports, regardless of the extent of their battlefield injuries. The Warrior Games are just for American soldiers/veterans. Harry was so moved by what he saw at his first Warrior Games that it inspired him to found the Invictus Games, widening the field for veterans of all countries to compete against one another in Warrior-Games-esque sports. Later this year, Dusseldorf will host Invictus. In the meantime, Harry decided to check out Team USA’s activities at this year’s Warrior Games in San Diego. Here are photos of Harry on Monday in San Diego:

I love this. Following Harry’s court appearance in London last week, every royal commentator clutched their pearls and performatively wailed “I guess he doesn’t care about VETERANS anymore, he’s so focused on his war against the MEDIA!” And here’s Harry showing all of those idiots that he can fight the British media AND support veterans, all within a week. Seriously though, it’s so cool that he still goes to the Warrior Games. Invictus Dusseldorf is gonna be LIT this year. Last year’s games in the Hague were amazing – they had more competitors than ever and more countries participating, and I remember reading that nearly every event was sold-out. Countries are really vying to support Invictus and host the games – after Dusseldorf, the next games (in early 2025) will be held in Vancouver and Whistler, and it will mark this first “winter games” (as in, winter sports).

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Photos courtesy of Instar, Cover Images, Avalon Red.

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67 Responses to “Prince Harry turned up at the Warrior Games in San Diego on Monday”

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  1. Amy T says:

    He is just a decent guy who was born a prince and is figuring out in real time how to use his powers for good. It’s a quietly inspiring story when you remove all the trappings. And I am here for it.

  2. Rapunzel says:

    Looking relaxed and happy and engaged.
    He’s living his best life. Good to see. Such a contrast to his brother/father.

  3. Yvette says:

    “What a man, what a man, what a man, what a mighty good man!” Yes he is! 🙂

  4. Laura-Lee MacDonald says:

    I know that if I found myself at an event where I was seated very near Harry, I’d be so focused on my posture and facial expressions knowing I’ll be in a pic, I’d lose track of the event proceedings. Damn my high self-monitoring ADHD!! Lolol

    So glad he’s out and about and having fun. His resilience is extraordinary.

    • Jan says:

      Did you see the group of women laughing with him?

    • SpankyB says:

      I would be trying so hard to not be a dork and I know all the photos would come out with me smiling like a deranged Kate.

    • Emme says:

      @Laura-Lee MacDonald, if I was sitting beside our Harry and he smiles at me like in that first photo, I’d not be thinking of my posture and facial expressions 😂 Any pic taken would show me drooling with my tongue hanging down to the floor 🤣
      My dignity would be out the window!

  5. Amy Bee says:

    This was a pleasant surprise.

  6. Jais says:

    Love it. Can’t wait for invictus.

    • Layla says:

      @jais I think Harry’s birthday is going to be during the Invictus games this year too

  7. ThatsNotOkay says:

    What I love to see is his passion for the players and the sports. He’s talking strategies and moves and rooting for people. He’s invested. It’s authentic, not performative. You can’t fake that kind of leadership, no matter how much king you claim to be.

    • Christine says:

      Yeah, note to the Wails, THIS is what listening and learning looks like. He’s no doubt getting some ideas for Invictus, while also supporting veterans.

  8. Beverley says:

    I love how Harry moves in stealth. We don’t know where he’ll turn up next.

  9. Miranda says:

    I think Harry has reached a point where he no longer needs to constantly, actively, publicly support veterans, because the veterans themselves know what he has already done and respect and appreciate him for that. They also have families of their own, and know and respect that Harry’s duty towards his family’s happiness and security must come first. That said, of course he can and will continue to speak up for his fellow veterans and find ways to use his platform to support them and ensure they receive the recognition they deserve. He’s just a thoroughly decent, compassionate man with a strong sense of duty.

    Now, how long before the BM (such an apt acronym) ruin the moment by starting in with the “WHERE’S MEGHAN?!” and insisting that her absence is a sign of an impending divorce?

    • HeatherC says:

      As a nurse who uses medical abbreviations as easily as I speak English, I concur. BM=bowel movement OR British Media, they really are interchangeable aren’t they?

      And of course the Sussexes are on the brink of divorce and Harry can’t wait to run back to Britain if they’re not in the same room all the time. Eye roll.

      • SpankyB says:

        When my son was around 7 he asked me what BM meant. I told him and he said “oh, I thought it meant butt muck” I never laughed so hard. And in our household it will forever mean butt muck.

    • Scooby Gang says:

      @Miranda – Exactly what I was about to say. The “WHERE’S MEGHAN?!” posts and articles will be popping up everywhere. And yet those same people will never mention the obvious separate appearances of the other two.

    • Eating Popcorn says:

      Yep – since it’s a 4.5 hour drive each way between Montecito and San Diego, Harry may choose to stay over – cue the BM headlines “Harry Books into Hotel, Marriage on Rocks?”

      • L4Frimaire says:

        For all we know, Meghan may be there with him, just not at the event. At this rate we’ll be lucky to see her before Düsseldorf. Also, regarding Harry not having to be so visible supporting veterans, this shows how he is shifting from public life and his former ceremonial roles, to being a private philanthropist in the US. He is really is in a unique position in that he’s not like a former politician who came from private life, then going back and able to do whatever without scrutiny.

  10. Ginger says:

    I love that Harry supports the Warrior Games. He looked amazing and seemed to be having fun. He just looks like he belongs here in America.

  11. Cassie says:

    It must be so special to be in Harrys company ,he is so charming and seems so comfortable with people of all walks of life .
    Just a very impressive man .

  12. Becks1 says:

    I love this. His support for veterans is consistent no matter where he is.

    • Mary Pester says:

      @becs, yes it is, always has been and always will be. I don’t know if any of you remember me posting about my friend from my regiment who was in America and had an accident that meant major spinal surgery
      . I told you how invictus had stepped in and she had a visit from Harry. Her medical bills and getting her back to the UK came to over 400,000 dollars including the medical flight. The difference between what her insurance covered was paid by INVICTUS, and Harry has called her twice to check her progress!! Sandy is over the moon and can you imagine anyone else in the Royal family going to so much trouble, because I can’t, and like sandy said, no one had better critisise Harry to him after what’s been done for his wife. Harry will, as I said always be military, cut him in half and you would see MILITARY right through him like a stick of rock.

      • Shawna says:

        I wager a lot of us remember!

      • Lady D says:

        “a stick of rock” Gotta admit, that phrase got my imagination working.

      • windyriver says:

        When you said your friend had a visit thought you meant someone from Invictus, which would have been impressive itself. Didn’t realize you meant a visit from Harry. Just an amazing guy. Hope your friend is doing well in her recovery.

      • Jais says:

        Thanks for sharing this again, @marypester. Positive stories like this are so good to hear.

      • Debbie says:

        I’d never heard that story before, I’m glad you shared it.

      • Queentim says:

        Such a nice story, that again demonstrates his true commitment and character. Thanks for sharing!

  13. Cathy says:

    #goodkingharry

    No other words are needed.

  14. TheWigletOfWails says:

    Love that for him! While others are letting guards faint in a rehearsal and gossiping about invitation snubs, he’s supporting his community. Look who’s got their priorities right. 😏

  15. Good for Harry. His commitment is very real for veterans. Nice to see him out and looking good.

  16. Smices says:

    So he wasn’t prevented from reentering the country by border control? Huh…I guess the British press got it wrong.

    • Polo says:

      They keep getting it wrong but they still write the story and will continue to because of clickbait and content…

  17. Steph says:

    This comment is only about Harry in the sense that had he not gone I would never have known that games took place. That it takes a foreigner showing up and being photographed for the Warrior Games to reach me shows the really sad state of affairs for American vets.

    Whistler Invictus is on my birthday! February 6, 2025. I’m trying to make it a “to me, from me” present.

  18. Pumpkin says:

    Really lovely to see Harry’s continuing support and work for veterans.

  19. ABritGuest says:

    I was hoping Harry would pop up at the warrior games so glad he was able to show his support. Looking forward to the Netflix show Heart of Invictus & how it might be promoted especially in the US, and to the invictus games itself.

    It’s funny how Harry is able to travel stealthy & all the “friends” & “Montecito sources” who know about Meghan partying or Harry renting hotel rooms, can never tell about these trips.

    • Dee(2) says:

      I figured they would release the documentary in August in time to shine a light on the new games and have it fresh in the public consciousness. I’m looking forward to it as well. There are a lot of people who are patrons or represent charities but you can tell he’s very involved behind the scenes and even knows the people who are admins and coffee runners.

      • Polo says:

        Yeah I’m assuming they’ll release it in august leading up to the games.
        Kinda sad all the talk shows are off air otherwise I would have seen him doing at least one.
        Hopefully there’s somewhat of a press tour for the show but hard to tell.

  20. Southern Fried says:

    He’s the man the his own family in bed with the filthy Brit media tried to tell us is dumb. He’s an extraordinary man on his own but teamed with his extraordinary wife Meghan they are a powerhouse. It’s a real pleasure watching them succeed, living a life of service. Can you hear me cheering from here?

  21. Julianna says:

    I am absolutely loving this for Harry. And exactly! He shows up for his court cases and then his veterans all in the same week! He moves in stealth and the trashy media just run in circles trying to keep up 😂.

  22. JanetDR says:

    It is so good to see him out and about, relaxed and happy, doing his thing!

  23. aquarius64 says:

    It’s great to see Harry at the Warrior Games and continue his support of veterans. I can’t wait for the Invictus Games in Düsseldorf. I’m curious to see how Charles will handle this. As sovereign he is head of UK’s armed forces. If he doesn’t give a shout out to Team GB it will be a slap in the face to all vets IMO.

    • Jaded says:

      My guess is Charles will avoid anything to do with Invictus, he’s that cruel, bitter and petty.

    • Kittenmom says:

      Charles will probably take off for some of that conveniently timed “Indian spa time” during Invictus, to avoid having to acknowledge it.

    • Beverley says:

      The BM and RF said nary a word about the British athletes of the Invictus Games last year. Not one word of encouragement or congratulations. It was a damn shame.

  24. L4Frimaire says:

    It’s great seeing Prince Harry back in his element, focusing on what matters to him. Left London, had a restful weekend and out supporting veterans. Some trolls were trying to make a negative thing about Harry copying the warrior Games for Invictus, but Harry has always been clear that they were the reason he founded Invictus and has always given them their props and support. In 2021 during Covid restrictions, he also did a Warrior’s Game zoom event with Dr. Jill Biden. One of the men Harry was seated next to at the game is apparently in the running to be the next head of Joint Chiefs of Staff, so he is in very good company. Can’t wait to see Invictus Düsseldorf.

    • BQM says:

      Harry has been upfront about ‘stealing’ the idea from day 1. I remember his US trip where he went to the games and how he was so inspired by what he saw and experienced. Any Johnny come latelys saying otherwise just prove how unimportant the cause is to them. And how they’re willing to use vets, both us and uk, to try to score cheap points. And fail.

      If you’re referring to Gen Charles brown (an African American Air Force officer) he isn’t in the running to be COTJCOS. He’s Biden’s pick but freaking maga Senator tommy tuberville of Alabama is holding it up over the military giving paid leave to service members traveling out of an anti choice state to obtain an abortion. He’s held up DOZENS of field officer appointments and is jeopardizing national security.

  25. Is That So? says:

    Petty me.

    As the UK tabloids are salivating because the Sussexes were invited to the Trooupping of the Colouuuurs, considering that Prince Harry is out for the warrior games, just for petty sake, I hope Prince Harry and family is invited to a 4th of July flyover.

    • BlueNailsBetty says:

      😂😂😂 Get that man some bbq and apple pie! 🎆🎇

      I would die laughing if HM moseyed down to Texas to attend Willie Nelson’s 4th of July bash. You know Willie and HM would hit. it. off.

  26. j.ferber says:

    Yes, good King Harry. Through a trick of timing, the wrong man will get the job. No matter.

  27. Robin Samuels says:

    I’ve known about the Warrior Games since President Obama was in office. They came into being under his administration. Michelle Obama and Jill Biden were very much involved, which drew my attention. It was also when Prince Harry visited the United States; I believe the games were in Florida. According to his writings, he attended the Warrior Games with the Obamas and Bidens; this inspired the creation of Invictus.
    The gentleman in uniform seated next to Harry is a high-ranking official in the Army and is slated for a higher position in the Department of Defense. Some of the participants will be part of the USA team in Germany.
    I love that Harry and Meghan don’t upstage each other’s events. Most of his ventures deal with the environment and are outdoors, while her ventures are more attuned to writing, speaking, and administration, mostly indoors behind the scenes. My fingers are crossed that she’s working on Spotify season two.
    San Diego is a beautiful city with the most beautiful zoo in the USA.

    • BQM says:

      The gentleman is Gen Charles Brown Jr of the US AIR FORCE not Army. We broke away from the army like the us did to England 😆—signed, Wife of retired USAF Officer.

      (The branches wear almost identical battle dress uniforms aka fatigues though.)

      Gen brown is Biden’s pick for the next chairman of the joint chiefs of staff. Go Air Force!

  28. sammi says:

    Well ‘They’ may clutch their Pearls but Harry has his Medals of Honour.

    Meanwhile 110 acres and farm in Wales sold by the William ‘The new Homelessness champion Tsar’ to spite Prince Charles who restored it for decades as Prince of Wales .

    What a gift to the Welsh people this would have been for their homeless or a refuge for abused children and women.

    After all the first five years are so important!