Tuesday 6 September 2022

'A Home for Respect': The Sussexes Receive Rapturous Welcome in Germany

The Duke and Duchess of Sussex travelled to Düsseldorf in Germany today for the Invictus Games 'One Year to Go' event.

Harry and Meghan arriving.

The couple walked the red carpet.

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During her speech at the One Young World opening ceremony in Manchester last night, Meghan shared her joy in having the opportunity to work with the organization and Harry, citing his ongoing work in support of young people. She described being there with Harry on UK soil as a "full circle" moment. The fact their work is so interconnected is rarely more evident than during Invictus Games events. Meghan has been so warmly welcomed into the Invictus family -- an atmosphere of inclusiveness which we have seen in abundance.

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Listen to this...

The visit was meticulously planned with a rapturous welcome from Düsseldorf.

Ahead of the visit, Lord Mayor Dr Steven Keller said: "We have received the great news that Prince Harry and Meghan, The Duke of Sussex and Duchess of Sussex are visiting us this September. We are delighted to present the host city and the Invictus Games Park at the Merkur Spiel-Arena to the Patron of the Invictus Games Foundation for next year’s Games."

Scenes at the Town Hall this morning before arrivals.

Eager crowds gathering.

The Duke and Duchess with officials and competitors.

And service dog Loki :)

Meghan said "Hello!" :)

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The Duke and Duchess unveiled the vision for the 2023 Games -- 'A Home for Respect'.

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The Invictus Games website shared: "Our goal is creating “A HOME FOR RESPECT.” We want our vision to spread from Düsseldorf to the whole of Germany. Our citizens should gain new perspectives on the social role and significance of the people in the armed forces. For the competitors and their Family & Friends, the Games will be a visible sign of appreciation and recognition.

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"The vision of the INVICTUS GAMES DÜSSELDORF 2023 will outlast the games themselves. We want to stimulate a rethinking and a dialogue in society and to spread and develop the unique idea of the international Invictus Games. The Games also enable a new or different look at the people in the Bundeswehr. On people who take personal and health risks in the field and in their daily service in uniform. At the Invictus Games, they become visible and their stories tangible. We want to convey what deployment means and what the soldiers are willing to give for our society. Proximity and personal encounters will carry the spirit of respect and cohesion throughout city and country".

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Below, a live stream of the full event.

People reports:

"The German hub was first announced as a future host city for the Invictus Games — Harry's international adaptive sports competition for injured, sick and wounded service personnel and veterans — in 2020 with the event initially set for 2022. However, when the coronavirus pandemic delayed the 2020 Invictus Games in The Hague, the Netherlands until 2022, preparations for Düsseldorf were also bumped back.

Now, the Invictus Games are finally set to commence in the German city from September 9 to 16, 2023".

Inside the Town Hall, Harry shared a few words of German before joking: "That's about where it stops." He described the visit as "my absolute honour, along with my wife, to invite the people of Germany to officially start the countdown to next September". Echoing the theme, Harry asked people to "lead with our hearts" and "enjoy the ride".

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Harry said: "I can't wait to hear the roar of the crowds, to feel the adrenalin of the competition and join in on the laughter and even the tears, happy ones of course, while we get to witness lives being changed right before our eyes.

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"In our most vulnerable moments, encouragement is essential. So, I ask that we all do our part to provide space for these incredible servicemen and women to be honest, courageous and true to themselves."

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The Duke and Duchess were asked to sign the Golden Book.

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The leather-bound book is signed by visiting dignitaries and officials with a page prepared in advance for the couple. Hello! reports Her Majesty signed the same book during a visit in the 1960s.

Brigadier General Alfred Marstaller, Chief Executive of Invictus Games Dusseldorf, said those involved were "honoured" to welcome the couple for the event.

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Now, when it comes to the 'walkabout' I think the photos speak for themselves. The welcome was nothing short of incredible.

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The Duke and Duchess enjoyed a trip aboard the MS Rhein Galaxie which will took them along the Rhine to Duisberg and on to the Merkur-Spiel arena. 

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A wave from Harry and Meghan.

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Harry said in his speech "It is my belief that showing respect and appreciation is as important as experiencing respect and appreciation". He added: From what I've witnessed today already, I have a good sense of how we will bring the motto of these games - A Home For Respect - to life. It is my belief that showing respect and appreciation is just as important as experiencing respect and appreciation. That's the spirit we're bringing to Dusseldorf.".

Harry described the veterans participating in Invictus as his "role models".

They were delighted to spend time with athletes.

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And of course take a minute for a selfie or two.

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The Duchess was chic in separates for the visit.

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Meghan wore the Anine Bing Kylin sweater.

Meghan's trousers are a wide-leg, belted style in beige by Brandon Maxwell.

The Duchess accessorised with Diana's Cartier Tank watch.

And her Cartier Love bracelet.

The Duke and Duchess are scheduled to attend the WellChild awards on Thursday evening. We don't know their plans for tomorrow. 

Meghan's third episode of Archetypes is live. 'The Stigma of Singleton' with Mindy Kaling promises to be another great listen. I'm looking forward to tuning in later.

23 comments:

  1. Loved this week's podcast!
    So excited to see the Sussexes in DE! Invictus is such a great event and charity. Not sure how I feel about the top, love the pants. They both look happy and radiant! -op

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  2. I am loving this outfit! Her arms OMG! And I am so here for Meghan's love affair with wide leg trousers on this European mini tour. Lastly I've already listened to new episode and as per usual it is worth your while, didn't know much about Mindy (I mean I knew of her of course but didn't know much about her life and personality) but now I'm a fan. Love all these strong, genuine, multi-faceted women Meghan's having on her podcast, I'm also adoring the fact that she's putting the spotlight on women of color of all types of ethnicities and backgrounds and letting them openly talk about their experience, their culture, their race...this is why Meghan will always be by far my favorite princess.

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  3. The only thing I like about this outfit are colors. Top is not appropriate for formal daytime event and trousers are ok, maybe too long and wide but I just feel she now wears this type of garments to hide her body.

    DP

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    1. This event was not particularly formal in nature - you notice that Prince Harry didn't feel called upon to wear a tie -- and the Duchess's outfit didn't hide her body at all. Trousers don't, and I'd say that the Duchess's figure looked quite good.

      Wide-leg trousers are fashionable and have been for a few years. I own some myself and just bought a new pair. Hiding my body is the last thing I want to do. She certainly has no history of it.

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    2. I agree. Love the color and the fabrics but the wide pants swamp her petite figure. The top, which I do like, should have been a unitard as it bunched up too much and overwhelmed her cute figure along with the pants. I don't think she is trying to hide her body but the clothes sure did.

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  4. An absolutely fabulous and, indeed, very chic look, one epitomizing the Duchess's minimalist preferences and penchant for neutrals. I've always loved high-necked sleeveless tops cut high on the shoulders, so this Anine Bing example appeals to me. I own a few AB skirts and the cream Hunter coat MS wore on the "Ellen" show. That label has been one of my favorites for a while now.

    I am also a huge Brandon Maxwell fan and was lucky enough to snag two of his dresses at deep discounts. These pleated trousers are terrific -- that's a style I've always loved -- and they look great with the top.

    A perfect outfit for an Invictus Games event. I applaud.

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  5. This is so heartening! Invictus is an amazing feat and it's wonderful to see it, and them, so well received. LOVE those pants. And the podcast was again excellent. Mindy talked a lot and it was another great topic. Very fun to listen to, too!

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  6. I can imagine Harry's pride with such strong works like the Invictus Games and many more. I would really like these games to become more and more global because many people, how the wounded from wars and others, deserve it for their fight and this strength to live.

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  7. A very good podcast conversation with Mindy Kaling. Many people will relate to some of the issues Mindy brings up.

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  8. It must be so difficult to keep working amongst all the vile hatred from the British press and the likes of Piers Morgan. But they do, and the people who bother to listen to the truth appreciate them. Meghan is beautiful and I love that she wears clothes that she would never be able to wear as a working royal. We keep being told Harry is miserable, lonely and unhappy. The Harry I see … even years into this relationship… just cannot believe how lucky he is to have found such a wonderful woman to share his life with him. They must be missing Archie and Lily though, they’re both so little. LRB

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    1. I agree for your comment..
      I see a lovely couple.
      I Love them

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  9. Sheryl from BC Canada6 September 2022 at 20:35

    Well, this is a doubly nice Tuesday. I just listened to the 3rd podcast, loved it and now get to see this new page of their trip to Germany. Continually blown away by the expertise, kindness and all around goodness of these two special people, the Duke and Duchess of Sussex. Thank you Charlotte for your wonderful coverage, as always, a highlight of my day.

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  10. This outfit is a big miss for me in terms of style, fit and suitability for the occasion.

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  11. I am so enjoying your coverage of this trip with all its events and interesting features. The Sussexes are doing great work.

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  12. Fantastic coverage as usual. I always come here first when there's new things in Meghan & Kate news! It seems Meghan and Harry are having a great trip so far. Looking forward to listening to Archetypes tomorrow at work. :)

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  13. looks like they had a great welcome in Germany . meghan and harry look very happy and I love Meg's outfit thanks Charlotte!

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  14. I like the colors of this outfit, but I am not a fan of the cut out top. The pants are too wide leg, but that is my personal preference. Regardless the Duchess looks lovely.

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    1. Meghan does look lovely and I generally like her style, but this isn't the top for this event and the pants with the pleats are somewhat overwhelming. Not her best look, but do like that she has been favoring wearing trousers.

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  15. I love the modern "sculptural" look of this outfit. I think it works because the shapes add interest to the neutrals.

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  16. It’s very sad to see that the two brothers are half a mile away today and won’t be meeting…

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  17. As a short-waisted woman myself, I'm conflicted about the wide leg pants because they don't work well on our body type, yet they are lovely and stylish. Who am I to judge, anyway? Maybe I should be applauding M for wearing something she likes, and to heck with all the judgement.

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  18. i am very impressed that she felt able to share about feeling that she was the ugly duckling at school. Many of us will empathise with that. She was able to get her teeth fixed and now has a perfect smile. However it is dismaying that the curly hair which she has inherited from her mother was evidently so embarrassing for her. What does it say about our standards of beauty that straight or only slightly wavy hair is considered more beautiful than a magnificent afro. This is the ultimate racism when even a royal Duchess is ashamed to be seen with this sign of her African heritage. I look forward to the day when she will feel able to appear in her her natural glory!

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Welcome to Mad About Meghan! We do so look forward to reading your thoughts. Constructive, fair debate is always encouraged. Hateful, derogatory terms and insults are not welcome here. This space focuses on Harry and Meghan, not any other member of the Royal family. It's not the place to discuss politics either. Thank you for reading, we look forward to your comments :)