MEGHAN Markle has revealed why she was late to the Invictus Games as she reunited with Prince Harry at a glitzy bash.
The Duchess of Sussex, 42, joined Harry at a reception for 1,600 athletes and their friends and family in Dusseldorf, Germany.
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Meg – in a black Banana Republic dress – landed in the city two-and-half hours earlier after jetting in from Los Angeles.
She then took to the stage and apologised to guests for being “a little late to the party”.
The duchess explained she had to make milkshakes and get their children Archie, four, and daughter Lilibet, two, “settled down” before she could fly from LA.
Holding a microphone, she said: “Hi everybody. It is so special to be here and I’m sorry I’m a little late to the party.
“Like so many of you, you know this is about family and friends and the community that Invictus has created and Fisher House has created, and so I had to spend a little bit more time getting the little ones settled at home
“Three milkshakes and a school drop off and I just landed a couple of hours ago and I am thrilled that the first event I can do for Invictus is here with all of you.”
She added: “We can’t wait to one day be able to bring our kids also, so they can experience just how amazing this is.”
Harry appeared not to want to speak and Meghan said: “My husband is a man of few words this evening, do you want to say anything?”
The suited duke took hold of the microphone and said: “You don’t need to hear from me again.”
The duchess – who has not been seen on a public function with Harry since their “near-catastrophic car chase” in New York in May – also wore a Bottega Veneta belt she bought from a vintage shop and shoes from Aquazarra.
To top off the outfit, Meg put on a set of colourful beads given to her by a reception guest.
Sources close to Meghan say she got ready in less than an hour after being driven to Harry’s Hyatt Regency hotel.
She travelled without a stylist and did her own hair and make-up, sources said.
Harry and Meghan and guests had been invited for an evening of music, entertainment, and traditional German food.
Meghan did not attend the opening ceremony on Saturday when Harry took to the stage and declared “Ich bin ein Dusseldorfer”.
Tonight, Meghan took to the stage with Harry stood beside her clasping his hands and grinning while the Duchess gave a two minute speech to guests.
The event, hosted by Ken Fisher – Chairman and CEO, and Dave Coker, President, Fisher House Foundation – was held at a conference centre inside Dusseldorf airport.
Harry and Meghan left after around an hour.
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Their children, Archie, four, and Lilibet, two, remain in the US.
Meghan was earlier spotted at LAX wearing baggy trousers, a v-neck sweater and Valentino pumps – on her first trip across the Atlantic since she attended the late Queen Elizabeth II’s funeral a year ago.
While Meg was in mid-flight Harry waved his arms in the air and sang along to Sweet Caroline as he watched wheelchair basketball.
Meghan landed in Dusseldorf tonight and was photographed after being driven from the airport’s VIP area around 4pm local time.
She was reunited with Harry after spending almost a week apart as he had earlier flown to the UK for a WellChild charity bash and vigil at the final resting place of his grandmother Queen Elizabeth.
Harry – wearing a black Invictus Games t-shirt – had earlier sat with pal and BBC presenter JJ Chambers, 36, who appeared in 2020 Strictly.
Chalmers suffered serious injuries during a bomb blast in 2011 while in the Royal Marines and based in Helmand and lost two fingers and his right elbow disintegrated.
The pair joined the crowd dancing and Harry greeted fans and competitors who asked for photos.
A source said: “The Duchess is excited to reunite with the Invictus community and spend time getting to know new competitors, teams and their families.
“She’s likely most looking forward to her time with the children of Invictus.”
It comes as German media outlets have reported that the Duchess will deliver a “very emotional” closing speech during the farewell ceremony.
The Invictus Games, for disabled military veterans, features a host of different sports and challenges and are due to last a week.
Meghan’s sister-in-law Princess Kate has been busy at a Royal engagement today – visiting inmates in prison who are struggling with addiction.
Kate donned a navy power suit to tour HMP High Down in Surrey – but caught the eye of many with the skin-coloured plasters wrapped around her fingers.
The Princess of Wales appeared in a good mood as she headed to the prison, supporting inmates as patron of The Forward Trust ahead of Addiction Awareness Week.
Meanwhile, Harry looked happy as he arrived at the TRA/Rehabilitation Expo earlier today.
The Prince appeared to be in an excited mood as he lived every emotion from the sideline watching competitors in the wheelchair basketball.
The Duke of Sussex, 38, was previously seen cheering on competitors from the grandstand yesterday.
The royals are due to stay in the presidential suite at the waterfront hotel where they will be celebrating Harry’s 39th birthday on Friday.
During the opening of the event, Prince Harry compared himself to JFK and grappled with the German language.
Harry was then cheered by the crowd as he took his seat in the grandstand at the Merkur Spiel-Arena in Dusseldorf and was joined by around six members of his entourage.
As competitors raced in the 200 metres event, the royal could be seen cupping his hands around his mouth and cheering them on.
He sat next to Yulia Laputina, Ukraine’s Minister of Veterans Affairs who wore a military uniform and had a Ukrainian flag draped over her shoulders.
Since the last games in The Hague, in the Netherlands, in 2022, Harry has brought out his tell-all memoir Spare and six-part Netflix series and attended the funeral of Queen Elizabeth II and coronation of his father King Charles.
The competition this year will run until September 16.
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