Invictus Australia welcomes the Duke and Duchess of Sussex for Sydney Harbour reunion 

Sydney Harbour sparkled as the backdrop to an afternoon of connection and reflection between Invictus Games alumni from Team Australia and Prince Harry and Meghan, Duke and Duchess of Sussex. 

A small cohort of veteran competitors, joined by their families, welcomed the Duke and Duchess aboard a sailing tour of the harbour – a trip down memory lane that stirred fond recollections of Invictus Games Sydney 2018. That event marked the last time the Duke and Duchess were on Sydney Harbour and the year that sailing featured on the Games program. 

Sailing past the Sydney Opera House prompted memories of the fierce storm that swept across the city in the lead‑up to the Opening Ceremony, where Prince Harry, as Invictus Games Foundation Patron, officially opened the Games. 

The tour also passed the Royal Botanic Gardens – where, during the Games, thousands lined the foreshore to cheer on competitors in the cycling events – and Cockatoo Island, home to the driving challenge. 

With Sydney showing off in all its glory, the moment was one to savour for the Australian veterans, who relished the chance to reconnect with the Invictus Games Patron. 

Navy Veteran and Invictus Games competitor Alex Hale grew up sailing and never imagined he’d have the chance to do so again.  Through the Making Waves Foundation and their accessible yacht, Kayle, Alex was able to join the veterans and the Duke and Duchess for the sailing tour where he reconnected with a childhood passion he thought was out of reach.  

“It was absolutely a great day. I’ve got to take all these opportunities so, yeah, something I’d never thought I’d be able to do, and here I am out there,” Hale said.  

“I actually got up and steered for a while.  

“Harry and Megan were onboard… and we had a great time, I actually tried to get it up on a couple of leans and in some of the turns,” he said 

Between the excitement of being back on the water and the shared experience with fellow veterans, Alex said the day naturally opened the door to reconnecting with people who’ve been part of his Invictus journey. 

“Yes, so I had an interview with Harry in Vancouver when I was over there (competing), so it’s good to see him again, and he remembered us as well,” he explained.  

“It was good to just have a chat, and it was very casual. 

“He was asking about how Invictus has helped us along our journey and where we’re going with it, and I mentioned I’m still pursuing the biathlon, and I’ve just gotten back from Jindabyne last week, where I was following that journey. 

“And I’m still doing wheelchair basketball and pretty much everything – rowing and cycling and all those activities that I started through this Invictus journey. 

“Being able to bring (my wife) along for the experience has been fantastic. The opportunity to come down, meet with all our friends that we’ve had over as part of the Invictus journey, and new friends as well that were on previous Invictus Games, and their families. 

“It’s a great experience to be here, and that was very much the inclusive feel that Megan and Harry had as well, as you know – talking about the family and how much they enjoyed it and how they’re part of it.” 

The impact of Invictus Australia is also reflected in the personal stories of competitors such as Invictus Games Vancouver-Whistler veteran Captain Olivia Miley Dyer. After spending the day on Sydney Harbour, she spoke about the experience of reconnecting with teammates, meeting the Duke and Duchess, and the powerful sense of belonging the Invictus community continues to provide. 

“So today was amazing – beautiful day on the harbour. I got to go out sailing with Harry and Meghan, and I got to catch up with several of my Canada teammates, which was great to hear how everyone’s going. I was absolutely shocked at how casual and close we got with Harry and Meghan, and how personable they were,” Capt Miley Dyer said.  

“I spoke about my time in Canada, how it was to come back and reintegrate into serving full time after the Games, and how the Games helped me get back into a more normal sense and the start of my recovery process. I talked about how I continue to serve and the ways in which it has positively impacted my service. 

“I think Invictus has been really life‑changing for me. To be part of this team and reconnect with members of the defence force. I was diagnosed with cancer during COVID, and it was a very isolating experience for me. Being part of this team has given me a lot of confidence to try new things and to feel like I’m part of the defence community again after feeling a little bit left out. 

“It’s so important for all members of the defence community, whether it be a competitor or at a local event. Invictus Australia is much more than just the Games – it’s a whole community, and something we can continue to be part of long after the Games,” she said.  

Prior to embarking the boat, the competitors presented the Duke and Duchess with a uniquely Australian memento as a gift to remember their trip – a pair of thongs (or flip flops, for the uninitiated) – cheekily suggesting they bring them on their next trip Down Under. 

The sailing tour followed Prince Harry’s visit to the Australian War Memorial on Wednesday, where he attended a reception for Invictus Australia and the Last Post Ceremony. 

As the first permanent national program established by the Invictus Games Foundation, to carry the spirit of the Games beyond a single event, Invictus Australia supports both former and current serving defence service personnel 365 days a year. Our growing and engaged community continue to demonstrate the healing power of sport and the positive impact of being active and connected. The evidence led, grassroots approach is due to hit the milestone of having impacted the lives of almost 30,000 veterans and the families of veterans, later in 2026. 

As the first permanent national program established by the Invictus Games Foundation, to carry the spirit of the Games beyond a single event, Invictus Australia supports both former and current serving defence service personnel 365 days a year. Our growing and engaged community continue to demonstrate the healing power of sport and the positive impact of being active and connected. The evidence led, grassroots approach is due to hit the milestone of having impacted the lives of almost 30,000 veterans and the families of veterans, later in 2026. 

Prior to embarking the boat, the competitors presented the Duke and Duchess with a uniquely Australian memento as a gift to remember their trip – a pair of thongs (or flip flops, for the uninitiated) – cheekily suggesting they bring them on their next trip Down Under. 

The sailing tour followed Prince Harry’s visit to the Australian War Memorial on Wednesday, where he attended a reception for Invictus Australia and the Last Post Ceremony.