The Duke and Duchess of Sussex put on a loved-up display as they joined athletes and dignitaries at the Sydney Opera House
THE Duke of Sussex has expressed his 'personal joy' over wife Meghan's pregnancy in a moving speech at the Invictus Games opening ceremony in Sydney today.
Prince Harry and Meghan Markle dazzled crowds as they put on a loved-up display as they participated in proceedings at the Sydney Opera House.
While the opening ceremony was hit with delays due to a tropical rain storm, the bad weather did not dampen spirits as Prince Harry took to the stage to mark the beginning of the games.
Opening his remarks with a nod to his grandmother The Queen, the Duke said: "On this day in 1973, my grandmother, The Queen, stood in front of this Opera House and declared it open.
"Forty-five years later, to the day, it is my honour to be standing in front of this iconic symbol of Australia's place in the modern world at the start of the fourth Invictus Games."
He went on to encourage the competitors in an emotionally charged speech, before moving on to more personal matters.
Prince Harry said: "First of all, thank you for the welcome you have given Meghan and I over the last few days.
"I have been so proud to be able to introduce my wife to you and we have been so happy to be able to celebrate the personal joy of our newest addition with you all."
The pregnant Duchess looked stunning in a navy blue Stella McCartney dress and jacket ensemble, paired with ivory heels and a simple clutch bag.
The coat has been designed by former X-Files star turned fashion designer, Gillian Anderson, who has created a capsule collection for designer label Winser London.
A well coordinated Prince Harry looked dashing in a matching navy blue tie teamed with a grey tweed blazer and grey trousers.
The parents-to-be were seen beaming with joy as they took their seats at the Opera House for the opening ceremony, with Meghan placing a tender hand on her husband's knee.
They were seen sitting alongside Prime Minister Scott Morrison and NSW Premier Gladys Berejiklian.
The start of the Opening Ceremony was hit with delays following an intense thunderstorm over the New South Wales area.
Despite the downpours and early hiccups, organisers were adamant that the day would go ahead as planned.
An Invictus Sydney statement read: "Organisers put an emergency plan in place, closing the site and forcing hundreds of spectators to run for cover.
"The thunderstorm over Sydney may have an impact on the Opening Ceremony #IG2018.
"The most important thing is to ensure everyone's safety. The ceremony is scheduled for 730pm AEDT More updates to come."
It was then later confirmed that the ceremony would go ahead as planned.
The games were officially opened following an hour's delay, with 500 athletes from 18 nations set to take part in the competition.
The Invictus Games are an international Paralympic-style sporting event for wounded, sick or injured members of the armed forces, as well as veterans.
The week-long event will see 550 competitors from 17 nations competing against one another in 12 different sports.
Prince Harry created the games after being inspired by the US Warrior Games, a similar sporting event for injured service personnel.
Sporting events at the games include wheelchair basketball, sitting volleyball and indoor rowing, and the events tend to attract a crowd packed with politicians and royals.
The first ever Invictus Games took place in March 2014 at the Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park in London, United Kingdom.
In Latin, Invictus means "unconquered" or "undefeated", capturing the spirit of the injured services personnel who take part.
The games also hold a very significant place in the Duke and Duchess' relationship, as it was where they went public about their romance last year.
At last year's Toronto games, Meghan and Harry put on a united front and opted for a black shirt with the emblem of the Games, in a display of love that caught the world's attention.
The 2018 games have fallen in the middle of Prince Harry and Meghan Markle's first overseas tour as a married couple.
They are expected to watch some events over the coming days, before returning to Sydney for the closing ceremony on October 27.
Earlier in the day, the couple paid tribute to Australia and New Zealand's war dead as Harry unveiled an extension to the Anzac memorial at a sombre ceremony in Sydney's Hyde Park.
Prince Harry, wearing his Blues & Royals tropical dress, medals and Knight Commander of the Victorian Order, also sported the insignia of his new position as the Queen's personal aide-de-camp for the occasion.
The 34-year-old Duke was joined by Meghan, in a black Emilia Wickstead dress and black Philip Treacy hat.
The memorial commemorates those who fell in the First World War, as well as conflicts in Korea, Afghanistan, Iraq and the Colonial Wars.
Governor General David Hurley welcomed the couple to the monument, where Harry formally opened the new £22 million centenary wing underneath the main memorial.
The former British army captain and his wife laid a wreath of Australian native flowers at the steps of the memorial, as Prime Minister Scott Morrison, other dignitaries, and service men and women looked on.
In a handwritten signed note pinned to the wreath, Harry wrote, "In memory of those who paid the ultimate sacrifice and in recognition of the men and women for whom the scars endure."
Wearing the tropical dress of his regiment, the Blues and Royals, Harry unveiled a plaque that noted the extension was "opened by a grandson of the Queen."
The wording was a nod to the original plaque Prince Henry unveiled 84 years ago, which noted that the memorial was "opened by the son of a king."
Harry and Meghan were then taken on a tour of the newly remodelled shrine, which was first opened in 1934 by Harry's great-great uncle, Prince Henry, the Duke of Gloucester, but was left incomplete due to a shortage of funds during the Great Depression.
Here they were treated to a traditional Welcome to Country ceremony by two Aboriginal men.
Robert Canning, 47, of the Gumbaynggirr people, greeted the couple with a didgeridoo performance.
He said: "We're doing a smoking ceremony to get rid of bad spirits and bring in good spirits and welcome everyone.
"It was very nice to meet the royals - I just hope they enjoyed my didgeridoo playing."
Twins Krystal and Sienna Dawson presented the royal couple with a medallion and a painting during the visit.
The girls, aged nine, are from the Koomurri Aboriginal Dance Troupe and both said they were nervous about meeting and performing for Harry and Meghan.
Krystal, who did an Aboriginal art floral painting, said: "They said hi and 'nice to meet you'."
The medallion, presented by Sienna, said "play the game", the motto of the Beverly Hills public school which they attend.
Following the unveiling of the memorial, Harry and Meghan headed off to Sydney's Cockatoo Island for the activities around the Invictus Games.
When they arrived, Harry put an affectionate hand on his wife’s lower back as they walked along the jetty to meet with the competitors and their support staff.
The couple have spent their fifth day playing games with participants and children at Cockatoo Island
The pair were dressed casually, with husband and wife wearing Invictus Games shirts.
While the Duke chose to remain casual with a pair of chinos and brown shoes, Meghan brought a touch of glamour to the sporty afternoon by completing her look with a white blazer and some low-heeled black shoes.
They then watched the races get under way before awarding the drivers with their well-deserved medals.
The royal couple also spent some time playing with remote control cars with children who had travelled to the event from around the world with the athletes.
Harry appeared to enjoy the toys as much as the kids as he was pictured laughing and even feigning annoyance as he gestured his arms in frustration.
