Prince Harry and Meghan were given a Canadian send off on Friday night with Michael Bublé singing re-written lyrics to Frank Sinatra’s classic ‘My Way’, in a nod to the Duke.
The couple were attending a lavish gala dinner with 200 guests in Vancouver to wrap up their tour in preparation for the 2025 Winter Invictus Games.
Shortly before a speech by the Duke, Bublé performed a rewritten version of Frank Sinatra’s ‘My Way’ with nods to Prince Harry littered throughout.
It included the line: ‘You’ve earned each day, the right to say, I did it my way,’ and referred to Harry as a ‘visionary.’
The Canadian crooner also sung, ‘Our healing wishes for your dad’, in a touching gesture to King Charles III who was recently diagnosed with cancer.
Harry, wearing a dark suit and a black tie, then spoke about the Invictus Games telling the audience that the athletes, who are comprised of injured and sick servicemen and women, embodied ‘courage, leadership, and fortitude.’
Meghan, 42, wore a one-shoulder olive green dress by Canadian designer Greta Constantine, a necklace by Logan Hollowell and Manolo Blahnik shoes.
Meghan was glamorous in a one-shoulder olive green dress by Canadian designer Greta Constantine as well as a necklace by Logan Hollowell, and shoes by Manolo Blahnik
Bublé went on to perform a rewritten version of Frank Sinatra’s ‘My Way’ littered with nods to Prince Harry littered throughout
From left to right: Squamish Nation Councillor, Wilson Williams, Meghan, the Duchess of Sussex, Chief of the Tsleil-Waututh Nation, Jen Thomas, and Prince Harry, the Duke of Sussex exchange greetings after being given blankets during dinner in Vancouver on Friday
Meghan, the Duchess of Sussex, watches dancers from the Tsleil-Waututh Nation perform during the ‘One Year to Go’ Invictus Games dinner in Vancouver on Friday, Feb. 16, 2024
Meghan and Harry had been expected to head home to Montecito, California following three days of Invictus Games events in Whistler and Vancouver but extended their trip by a night to enjoy a party with athletes and organizers.
Although not part of the official schedule and intended to be held away from the media, the gala – which is being held at the Vancouver Convention Centre – was signposted with black and gold Invictus signs.
Towards the end of the night, the crowd gave a standing ovation as Prince Harry took to the stage – who joked that he was going to start singing before welcoming Bublé to the stage.
Bublé said it was emotional for him to be there and that he loved that ‘we can show Harry and Meghan how beautiful this place is’.
Other lyrics swapped by Bublé included: ‘Nothing tames, Invictus Games, you play them your way’, ‘One man, life-changing plan, he does all he can, he’s a visionary’.
In his speech, Prince Harry spoke of the Invictus Games and touched on how much he was looking forward to next years event.
In his speech, Prince Harry said: ‘These games have been so warmly welcomed by our Four Host First Nations, who have opened their arms and land to each of us, not only tonight but in the lead up to and during the Games next year.
‘This year will mark ten years of the Invictus Games. The past decade has been a testament to the power of resilience and the unbreakable spirit you all exemplify. And boy have we had fun on the way!
The crowd gave a standing ovation as Prince Harry took to the stage – who joked that he was going to start singing before welcoming Bublé to the stage
Prince Harry, the Duke of Sussex speaks during the “One Year to Go” Invictus Games dinner in Vancouver on Friday, Feb. 16, 2024 Invictus Gala, Vancouver
Bublé said it was emotional for him to be there and that he loved that ‘we can show Harry and Meghan how beautiful this place is’
Prince Harry looked pensive walking down a corridor at Friday night’s event. Megan smiled
‘The Invictus Games are not just a competition; they’re a way of life, a celebration of the human spirit.
‘The games provide a platform for us to showcase your abilities, to inspire the world, and honor the sacrifices of those we have lost.
‘It is a reminder that we are not defined by our injuries, but by our strength, our commitment, and our ability to overcome adversity.
‘Invictus is not necessarily about winning a medal, but about the bonds that are built between nations; about the shared journey of recovery that competitors and their families are a part of.
‘As we continue to prepare for next year, let us remember the words of William Ernest Henley, the poet whose work serves as the namesake for The Invictus Games.
‘”I am the master of my fate; I am the captain of my soul.” Let us embrace these words, and let us continue to inspire each other, and the world, with courage, with leadership, and with fortitude.’
Roughly 200 people were in attendance, which began with the Duke and Duchess being led in by representatives from the Tsleil-Waututh Nation who sang and drummed in traditional regalia.
He also described the Invictus Games as being about ‘the bonds that are built between nations’
Prince Harry gave a speech at the event, which took place in Vancouver on Friday night
In his speech, Prince Harry spoke of the Invictus Games and touched on how much he was looking forward to next years event
Meghan Markle wore a floor length, olive green gown to the dinner in Vancouver last night
Johnna Sparrow, an Indigenous advisor for the Games, and sister of Chief Wayne Sparrow of the Musqueam Indian Band, gifted the couple with woven blankets for each of their children from the Salish people.
Sparrow said the children could dance with the blankets or wrap themselves in them when their parents are away to remind them that ‘their parents are off doing good work.’
The party followed a morning spent at the Hillcrest Community Centre in downtown Vancouver where Harry took part in an adapted wheelchair curling event.
An enthusiastic Duke of Sussex showed up 90 minutes ahead of the official 11am start time to meet some of the athletes privately, while Meghan arrived at the very last moment.
Meghan was glamorously dressed for the occasion in a $1,250 Sentaler camel coat and sculptural gold earrings while Harry was casual in a sports jacket and jeans.
Bublé – a long-time supporter of the Games – also took to the ice for a spot of curling; telling the crowd: ‘Ladies and gentlemen of the press, prepare to see your hometown boy do well!’
The Duke and Duchess of Sussex ‘s Canadian tour came to a glittering end on Friday night with a lavish gala dinner in Vancouver
Prince Harry looked pensive walking down a corridor at Friday night’s event. Megan smiled
The couple were accompanied by Canadian crooner Michael Bublé and his wife Luisa Lopilato
Prince Harry achieved an impressive top speed of 61 miles-per-hour during his daring adventure on day two of the trip
Meghan watched on as Harry tried his hand at skeleton bobsled
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 gala comes at the very end of the couple’s three-day visit to Canada to mark one year to go until the 2025 Invictus Games which will be held in Whistler, British Columbia.
Day two saw Harry whoop with delight as he tried out a skeleton bobsled – hitting a top speed of 61mph – watched by Meghan who filmed him on her iPhone.
The pair also met with Nigerian power lifter and ex-soldier Peacemaker Azuegbulam who also tried out the skeleton – despite being a double amputee who had never seen snow 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 the powerlifting.
Now preparing to take part in the skeleton competition at the 2025 Games, despite only making his debut on Thursday, Peacemaker said 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.
‘I am proud to be the first Invictus champion from Africa and I feel recharged. It totally changed my mindset.’
Britain’s Prince Harry, Duke of Sussex tried wheelchair curling at the event
The couple both wore smiles at the event and smiles as they went to meet the participants
The appearance at Hillcrest Community Centre – a multi-sport complex run by the city of Vancouver – came a few hours after the couple appeared on Good Morning America, where Harry insisted ‘I love my family’ and said he ‘jumped on a plane’ to visit the King ‘as soon as I could’ after speaking on the phone about his cancer diagnosis.
The 39-year-old also revealed he was ‘grateful’ to have seen his father Charles III in person and hopes the diagnosis can have a ‘reunifying effect’ on the Royal Family.
Camera crews from ABC have been following the couple throughout their time in Canada and were seen on Thursday conducting an interview next to the track at the Whistler Sliding Centre.
On Wednesday, the pair made their appearance on the slopes of the Whistler Blackcomb Mountain flanked by GMA presenter Will Reeve – son of the late Superman actor Christopher.
Prince Harry, Duke of Sussex, and Meghan Markle, Duchess of Sussex, and Michael Buble attending the final day of the One Year to Go event
Prince Harry gives curling a go at the Vancouver Curling Club at Hillcrest Community Centre
The Duke and Duchess of Sussex chatted to those who were in attendance at the event
Singer Michael Buble was also in attendance, ahead of attending a glittering gala
The trip also came after the couple became embroiled in rows over the rebranding of their website to Sussex.com, Harry’s 30-minute meeting with his cancer-stricken father in London and criticism over the Sussexes’ heavy use of private jets.
Despite the swirl of controversy, the Duke and Duchess have appeared unaffected during their trip and were seen beaming in exclusive DailyMail.com photos beaming as they left a romantic Valentine’s Day dinner in Whistler on Wednesday night.
Earlier that day, 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.’