Thu. Nov 7th, 2024
alert-–-doing-it-for-the-‘gram!-smiling-meghan-snaps-pictures-of-prince-harry-in-skeleton-bobsled-race-–-as-sussexes-hit-the-slopes-(with-a-tv-crew-in-tow)-just-hours-after-vowing-‘we-cannot-be-broken’-in-wake-of-rebrand-criticismAlert – Doing it for the ‘gram! Smiling Meghan snaps pictures of Prince Harry in skeleton bobsled race – as Sussexes hit the slopes (with a TV crew in tow) just hours after vowing ‘we cannot be broken’ in wake of rebrand criticism

Meghan Markle was seen beaming and taking pictures as she watched Prince Harry hurtle down a bobsled track twice yesterday days after the Sussexes vowed they ‘wouldn’t be broken’, after their royal rebrand.

The Duchess of Sussex, 42, looked the part in a black puffer coat, black jeans, ski boots and oversized sunglasses and watched on with a huge smile on her face, in awe of her husband’s skills. 

The couple have come under fire in recent days over their new Sussex.com website, in particular Meghan’s coat of arms – which critics claim is a breach of their promise to the late Queen Elizabeth when they acrimoniously quit front-line royal duties.

Their decision to change their children Archie and Lilibet’s surnames to Sussex has also raised eyebrows among royal watchers.

The moves have sparked a fresh round of criticism of the Duke and Duchess and renewed calls for the duo to have their titles removed. But a representative told the Mirror that the couple ‘will not be broken’. 

Meghan Markle was seen beaming and taking pictures as she watched Prince Harry

Meghan Markle was seen beaming and taking pictures as she watched Prince Harry

Meghan did not take part herself but appeared to enjoy the sight of Harry racing down

Meghan did not take part herself but appeared to enjoy the sight of Harry racing down 

Prince Harry 39, enjoyed a thrill-filled ride around a skeleton bobsled track in Whistler

Prince Harry 39, enjoyed a thrill-filled ride around a skeleton bobsled track in Whistler

Meghan, 42, watched on with a huge smile on her face, in awe of her husband's skills

Meghan, 42, watched on with a huge smile on her face, in awe of her husband’s skills

Prince Harry proved himself quite the thrill-seeker today when he attempted a run around a skeleton bobsled track - achieving an impressive top speed of 61 miles-per-hour

Prince Harry proved himself quite the thrill-seeker today when he attempted a run around a skeleton bobsled track – achieving an impressive top speed of 61 miles-per-hour 

While Meghan did not take part in the bobsledding fun, she was able to enjoy every aspect of her husband's ride when he got off the sled and re-enacted the ride for her

While Meghan did not take part in the bobsledding fun, she was able to enjoy every aspect of her husband’s ride when he got off the sled and re-enacted the ride for her

Meghan smiles as she steps out in a black puffer coat, black jeans some ski boots and oversized sunglasses

Meghan smiles as she steps out in a black puffer coat, black jeans some ski boots and oversized sunglasses 

Meghan was wrapped up warm, sporting a navy beanie as she smiled at her husband

Meghan was wrapped up warm, sporting a navy beanie as she smiled at her husband 

When asked by an onlooker whether she planned to join her husband in trying out the daring sport, Meghan laughingly yelled back, 'I can't!'

When asked by an onlooker whether she planned to join her husband in trying out the daring sport, Meghan laughingly yelled back, ‘I can’t!’

Prince Harry reacts after sliding down the track on a skeleton sled during an Invictus Games training camp, in Whistler, British Columbia

Prince Harry reacts after sliding down the track on a skeleton sled during an Invictus Games training camp, in Whistler, British Columbia

The Duchess of Sussex opted to wear her chocolate brown tresses down

The Duchess of Sussex opted to wear her chocolate brown tresses down

Meghan held onto Harry's arm as the pair walked through the snowy resort

Meghan held onto Harry’s arm as the pair walked through the snowy resort 

The Duke of Sussex laughed as he held his helmet and walked down the path

The Duke of Sussex laughed as he held his helmet and walked down the path 

The 38-year-old Duke of Sussex achieved an impressive top speed of 61 miles-per-hour during his daring adventure - a feat that left even his wife Meghan, 42, voicing her awe

The 38-year-old Duke of Sussex achieved an impressive top speed of 61 miles-per-hour during his daring adventure – a feat that left even his wife Meghan, 42, voicing her awe

The Duchess clutched onto her husband's arm as she strolled through the resort in Canada

The Duchess clutched onto her husband’s arm as she strolled through the resort in Canada 

Meghan opted for natural makeup, as she donned a navy blue beanie

Meghan opted for natural makeup, as she donned a navy blue beanie

After whizzing round for a second time, a beaming Harry made his way down the hill arm-in-arm with Meghan, posing for pictures as they went

After whizzing round for a second time, a beaming Harry made his way down the hill arm-in-arm with Meghan, posing for pictures as they went

The Duke of Sussex laughed as he held his crash helmet after taking a skeleton run down the Whistler Sliding Centre track

The Duke of Sussex laughed as he held his crash helmet after taking a skeleton run down the Whistler Sliding Centre track

Meghan and Harry pose with a woman holding a flag during their trip to Whistler

Meghan and Harry pose with a woman holding a flag during their trip to Whistler 

Meghan beamed as she chatted to people at the event in Whistler

Meghan beamed as she chatted to people at the event in Whistler 

The pair have also been followed closely by a camera crew from Good Morning America, who are thought to be working on a segment all about the pair's Invictus Games countdown

The pair have also been followed closely by a camera crew from Good Morning America, who are thought to be working on a segment all about the pair’s Invictus Games countdown

They added: ‘We’ve heard time and time again that certain opportunities are make or break for the couple. They’re still here. They’re still working and pursuing what they believe in, despite being constantly challenged and criticized. This couple will not be broken.’

The couple did not look phased as they took part in activities at the Invictus Games Vancouver Whistlers One Year To Go Winter Training Camp, while being followed around by a camera crew. 

While Meghan did not take part in the bobsledding fun at the Whistler Sliding Center in British Columbia, she was able to enjoy every aspect of her husband’s ride when he got off the sled – before enthusiastically re-enacting his thrill ride to his wife and Invictus volunteers after getting off. 

The Duchess of Sussex – who has joined her husband on a multi-day trip to Canada in honor of the one-year countdown to the 2025 Invictus Games – also served as her husband’s personal photographer – beaming with pride as she held up her phone to snap images and clips as he whizzed to the end of the track.  

But Meghan – who accessorized her phone with a $250 case from Bottega Veneta – was not the only videographer on hand to capture every moment of the Duke’s whistle-top trip around the bobsled track. 

As well as a team of photographers and onlookers who have captured the couple’s every move, they have also been followed closely by a camera crew from Good Morning America, who are thought to be working on a segment all about the pair’s Invictus Games countdown. 

Helming the GMA crew is host Will Reeve, son of the Superman actor Christopher Reeve, who was seen joining the Sussexes during their events on Wednesday – with DailyMail.com revealing exclusive images of the trio chatting together. 

ABC – the network that broadcasts GMA – has yet to confirm exactly what the on-air segment will include, however, the crew was closely following the Sussexes today, interviewing Harry for ten minutes after his first bobsledding adventure, before he set off for a second go around the track. 

When asked by an onlooker whether she planned to join her husband in trying out the daring sport, Meghan laughingly yelled back, ‘I can’t!’

However, she watched on with pride as her husband completed his two runs – although she took some time to warm up in the back of the couple’s Ford Expedition SUV while Harry took some time out from the track to chat with the GMA crew.

But before long, he was back at it, drawing his wife out of the car to watch on as he enjoyed a second race on the sled.  

After whizzing round for a second time, a beaming Harry made his way down the hill arm-in-arm with Meghan, posing for pictures as they went. 

Meghan watched on as Harry tried his hand at skeleton bobsled

Meghan watched on as Harry tried his hand at skeleton bobsled

Meghan dressed for the cold weather, wrapped up warm in a scarf

Meghan dressed for the cold weather, wrapped up warm in a scarf

The bobsled track, which is billed as the fastest in the world, includes a 485-ft vertical drop, as well as 16 curves

The bobsled track, which is billed as the fastest in the world, includes a 485-ft vertical drop, as well as 16 curves

The bobsled track, which is billed as the fastest in the world, includes a 485-ft vertical drop, as well as 16 curves 

The Duke came in at a bit of an angle as he brought his run to an end, having achieved a pretty impressive top speed of 61 miles per hour

The Duke came in at a bit of an angle as he brought his run to an end, having achieved a pretty impressive top speed of 61 miles per hour  

Proud Meghan watched on and took videos and photos of Harry as he whizzed to the end of the bobsled track

Proud Meghan watched on and took videos and photos of Harry as he whizzed to the end of the bobsled track 

The mother-of-two bundled up in a black puffer jacket, black jeans, and a navy beanie and scarf, while also flashing a glimpse at her large engagement ring

The mother-of-two bundled up in a black puffer jacket, black jeans, and a navy beanie and scarf, while also flashing a glimpse at her large engagement ring  

When asked by an onlooker whether she planned to join her husband in trying out the daring sport, Meghan laughingly yelled back, 'I can't!'

When asked by an onlooker whether she planned to join her husband in trying out the daring sport, Meghan laughingly yelled back, 'I can't!'

When asked by an onlooker whether she planned to join her husband in trying out the daring sport, Meghan laughingly yelled back, ‘I can’t!’

Meghan beamed with pride as her husband recounted his trip around the track

Meghan beamed with pride as her husband recounted his trip around the track 

Prince Harry slides down the track on a skeleton sled during an Invictus Games training camp

Prince Harry slides down the track on a skeleton sled during an Invictus Games training camp

The couple had a chat as film crews followed them around in Whistler

The couple had a chat as film crews followed them around in Whistler 

Meghan was wrapped up in a black padded jacket and leggings and a navy hat and scarf

Meghan was wrapped up in a black padded jacket and leggings and a navy hat and scarf 

Prince Harry was snapped dressed in thermals and holding his crash helmet

Prince Harry was snapped dressed in thermals and holding his crash helmet 

Prince Harry achieved an impressive top speed of 61 miles-per-hour during his daring adventure

Prince Harry achieved an impressive top speed of 61 miles-per-hour during his daring adventure

Meghan was wrapped up against the 30F (-4C) temperatures in a black padded jacket and a navy hat

Meghan was wrapped up against the 30F (-4C) temperatures in a black padded jacket and a navy hat

Harry kept things casual in a black insulated Invictus Games-branded jacket

Harry kept things casual in a black insulated Invictus Games-branded jacket 

Harry and Meghan kicked off day two of their Invictus Games One Year to Go tour shortly after 1pm – although their appearance at the venue was delayed by over 30 minutes while the Duke was given a safety briefing.

The couple, fresh from a romantic Valentine’s Day dinner date, were both on chipper form as they made their entrance to the venue, with a beaming Harry whizzing past on his bobsled and Meghan quipping ‘I can hear him’ as his sled set off and filming him on her phone as he flashed past.

Meghan was wrapped up against the 30F (-4C) temperatures in a black padded jacket and leggings and a navy hat and scarf while her husband kept things casual in gray pants and a black insulated Invictus Games-branded jacket – topped off with a white crash helmet.

After the high-speed arrival, to the sound of Invictus branded cowbells waved by onlookers, came a meet and greet with athletes preparing to perform at the event next year on a platform overlooking the track.

Among the athletes waiting to be introduced were Canadian veteran and mental health advocate Mark Beare, Estonian former soldier and amputee Rasmus Penno and Nigerian powerlifter and ex-soldier Peacemaker Azuegbulam.

Peacemaker, a 27-year-old double amputee from Imo, Nigeria, made his skeleton debut immediately after Harry – despite never having seen snow or been on a bobsled before.

Speaking to DailyMail.com, Peacemaker said he was thrilled to be reunited with the couple after being introduced to them at Invictus Games in Düsseldorf, Germany, last year where he won a gold medal in powerlifting.

Now preparing to take part in the skeleton competition at the 2025 Games, despite only making his debut today, the double amputee said the sport had helped him come to terms with the injuries he sustained during a firefight with Boko Haram terrorists in November 2020.

He said: ‘At first I felt ashamed because of my injuries but then I was introduced to the Games and began with playing volleyball. Now I feel good, now I feel recovered.

Harry looked in high spirits as he tried his hand at the sport, with wife Meghan cheering him on

Harry looked in high spirits as he tried his hand at the sport, with wife Meghan cheering him on

Prince Harry visits the Whistler Sliding Centre during the training camp for the Invictus Games

Prince Harry visits the Whistler Sliding Centre during the training camp for the Invictus Games

Harry and Meghan's seemingly carefree appearance today comes immediately after Harry hit back at criticism over the newly rebranded Sussex.com

Harry and Meghan’s seemingly carefree appearance today comes immediately after Harry hit back at criticism over the newly rebranded Sussex.com

After whizzing round the track for a second time, a beaming Harry made his way down the hill arm-in-arm with Meghan, posing for pictures as they went

After whizzing round the track for a second time, a beaming Harry made his way down the hill arm-in-arm with Meghan, posing for pictures as they went

Harry appeared in great spirits after completing his attempt at the skeleton race

Harry appeared in great spirits after completing his attempt at the skeleton race 

Meghan and Harry were joined at the track by a camera crew from Good Morning America - who have been trailing them for a large part of their Whistler trip

Meghan and Harry were joined at the track by a camera crew from Good Morning America – who have been trailing them for a large part of their Whistler trip 

Meghan was bundled up in a chic black coat - however she did take a brief break from the cold by huddling in the back of the couple's waiting SUV as Harry spoke to the GMA crew

Meghan was bundled up in a chic black coat – however she did take a brief break from the cold by huddling in the back of the couple’s waiting SUV as Harry spoke to the GMA crew

The Duke of Sussex enjoyed not one but two goes around the skeleton track before rejoining his wife and departing the venue for Vancouver, where they are expected to appear tomorrow

The Duke of Sussex enjoyed not one but two goes around the skeleton track before rejoining his wife and departing the venue for Vancouver, where they are expected to appear tomorrow

‘I am proud to be the first Invictus champion from Africa and I feel recharged. It totally changed my mindset.’

Certainly there could be no better place to try out the sport than at the track, which is part of the Whistler Blackcomb resort, a venue built specifically for the 2010 Winter Olympics which were also held in the town, and which boasts a bobsleigh, luge, and skeleton track.

However, the track – which is billed as the fastest in the world – is certainly not for the faint of heart, featuring a staggering 148m (485ft) vertical drop and 16 curves, while the surrounding stadium has space for 12,000 spectators. 

Described by the International Bobsleigh & Skeleton Federation (IBSF) as an ‘adrenaline sport’, skeleton racing was developed more than 100 years ago in Switzerland when amateur daredevils began racing down icy slopes on toboggan sleds. 

Ultimately, the hobby grew so popular that it was added to the Winter Olympics line-up – and the daring athletes who now take part in the sport now reach a staggering top speed of more than 93 miles-per-hour – more than 30 miles faster than Harry managed during his attempts. 

While the row over Sussex.com remains ongoing, it has failed to detract from their enjoyment of the Invictus Games training camp with both seen laughing and joking with competitors on day one which took place in sub-zero conditions on the slopes of Blackcomb Mountain. 

The trip to the bobsled track comes after the pair kicked off their trip to Whistler with a trip to the ski slopes, where they were joined by the GMA crew

The trip to the bobsled track comes after the pair kicked off their trip to Whistler with a trip to the ski slopes, where they were joined by the GMA crew 

Harry and Meghan were pictured alongside GMA host Will Reeve (right) - son of Superman actor Christopher Reeve - on Wednesday

Harry and Meghan were pictured alongside GMA host Will Reeve (right) – son of Superman actor Christopher Reeve – on Wednesday  

Later in the day, the pair managed to find time to sneak in a romantic Valentine's Day dinner at a local Italian restaurant

Later in the day, the pair managed to find time to sneak in a romantic Valentine’s Day dinner at a local Italian restaurant 

There, Harry tried his hand at sit-ski – an adapted version of the sport designed for amputees – while Meghan smiled broadly as she met visually impaired athletes who were nonetheless prepared to take to the slopes in next year’s competition.

Later, the couple met First Nations youth ambassadors representing the native Canadian tribes on whose land the Games are taking place.

The duo privately toured the Squamish Lil’wat Cultural Center in Whistler where they were shown around by Chief Nelson and Wilson Williams and met artists who created the new Invictus Games logo for the event.

In a statement, Harry and Meghan said: ‘The evening and presentation were extremely meaningful.

‘IG2025 and the couple could not be more proud to share the artists’ piece with the world. The couple recognizes the significance of the First Nation communities welcoming the Invictus Games onto their sacred land and are thankful for their warmth and hospitality.’

The pair, who have been staying in Whistler, are due to head back to Vancouver later today ahead of an event in the City of Glass on Friday morning where Harry is due to make a speech.

After that, the couple are expected to head home to Montecito, California, where they will be reunited with children Archie, four, and Lilibet, two.

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