Prince Harry officially launched the 500-day countdown to the Invictus Games 2018 at Sydney's Admiralty House on Wednesday (07.06.17)
Prince Harry
The 32-year-old royal remained in good spirits, despite being heavily rained on, as he announced the countdown to the international sporting event, which he founded, taking place next year for military veterans who have suffered an injury or illness.
Speaking to the crowd in the Australian city, Harry, who held the first games in 2014, said: "Sport would help these guys and girls fix their lives and reconnect with those around them. The spectacle of sport combined with stories of recovery against the odds would inspire all those who saw it. Lives have been changed in front of my eyes. Amazing men and women proving the impossible is possible. That is exactly what we did when we held the first Invictus Games in 2014."
The flame-haired royal then reflected on the shocking bomb attack in Manchester last month, which killed 22 people and injured over 60, and acknowledged that these were "challenging times" but events like the Invictus Games are positive.
According to ABC.com.au, he said: "We can all benefit from positive and inspiring stories from which to draw strength."
Meanwhile, while Harry is busy in New South Wales, his brother Prince William's sister-in-law Pippa Middleton - the sibling of Duchess Catherine - is in Perth on honeymoon with her husband James Matthews after they got hitched last month.
The Invictus Games will take place in Sydney in October 2018.
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