Prince Harry with Invictus Games athletes today (Image: Patrick Hill/Reach Plc)
Prince Harry had the Invictus Games athletes howling with laughter after cracking a cheeky joke about snowmen.
The 40-year-old royal, and doting dad, delivered his best ‘dad joke’ during a breakfast gathering with Team USA competitors, following a challenge from Michael Harrold, an ex-US marine.
Michael, hailing from Virginia, enjoyed Harry’s company at the event earlier this week and again today at the Invictus Games swimming finals in Vancouver’s UBC Aquatic Centre, where Harry even signed a US flag for him.
Sharing the punchline with the Mirror, Michael, 41, recounted: “He asked me ‘what is the difference between snow men and snow women? … snowballs!”‘ Everyone laughed.”
Michael Harrold, Ashley Christman and Jacquelyn Marty (Image: Patrick Hill/Reach Plc)
The irony wasn’t lost on Michael, who was diagnosed with testicular cancer in November 2022 and underwent aggressive treatment, earning the nickname ‘single jingle’ from his son.
He explained: “I’d already told [Prince Harry] a joke my son made up and told him he owed me one back, so after he’d met a couple of other people he came back and found me. He’s got a good sense of humour and he’s very engaging.”
Praising the prince, Michael added: “For a man of his calibre and his stature to make the time is fantastic. He makes the time to talk to people and remembers them from previous times he’s met them. He cares.”
Michael also reflected on the positive impact of the Invictus Games, saying: “It’s given me redemption.”
Prince Harry and Meghan Markle on February 9 at the 2025 Invictus games wheelchair basketball (Image: Humphrey Nemar)
Ashley Christman, 45, from southern California, shared: “He’s incredibly down to earth and personable. And as a fellow service member he has been out there alongside us suffering through the same kinds of environments that we have seen and so he gets it and our battles. It feels like he is just part of the brotherhood and sisterhood as well. It doesn’t feel like he’s royalty. He’s just one of us.”
Meanwhile, Jacquelyn Marty, 57, from Kentucky, said: “I feel like Invictus has given me a drive and a purpose. I love goals and trying to achieve or surpass them. It gives me a purpose in life. I don’t have my military community nearby so this is my community and I love it.”
The trio voiced their opinions on Friday – the eighth day of this year’s Invictus Games, taking place in Vancouver and Whistler, shortly after a new interview was published where Harry expressed his desire for his children to attend the Invictus Games.
The Royal was joined by his wife Meghan, 43, for the first five days of this year’s championships, but their children Archie, five, and Lilibet, three, remained at home in California and have yet to attend the event, which Harry established for injured service people in 2014.
Harry stops to talk with a member of Team Colombia during the swimming heats (Image: AP)
Harry stated: “I’d love for them to experience the Invictus spirit first-hand one day. Right now, they’re still young, but we already talk about the importance of resilience, community, and service-everything Invictus represents.”
Harry, who is anticipated to stay at the Games until after Sunday’s closing ceremony, has a strong connection with Canada. He and Meghan relocated to Vancouver Island in 2020 after stepping back from their Royal duties in the UK, an event dubbed ‘Megxit’.
The couple’s romance also blossomed in Toronto, where Meghan resided while starring in the popular TV series Suits for half a decade.
Reflecting on this year’s Games, Harry said: “It feels like a full-circle moment. Canada has been so kind to us over the years, and to be back here for another Invictus Games eight years later, married, with two amazing kids, is awesome! Spending time with our Invictus community is always a privilege.”
Harry cheers with friends and family of Team Nigeria during the swimming heats today (Image: AP)
This year marks the seventh Invictus Games, following previous events in London, Orlando, Toronto, Sydney, the Hague and Dusseldorf. It’s the first to feature winter sports such as alpine skiing, biathlon and wheelchair curling.
Harry shared his excitement, saying: “The highlight so far has been seeing competitors and their families take to the snow in Whistler.”
He added: “Introducing winter sports to the Invictus Games is a huge milestone, one we’ve been working toward for a long time, so witnessing both the competition and the pure joy on everyone’s faces makes me really happy. The welcome, the hospitality, the scenery, the entire experience has been life-changing for so many, and we are incredibly grateful to all Canadians for the life-long memories created during these Games.”
In an interview with Town and Country, the Duke of Sussex said: “The Invictus Games give us all an opportunity to recognise, celebrate, and honor this incredible community for their service and sacrifice. The stories shared and amplified through accurate, honest reporting are exactly what the world needs-stories of resilience, strength, and the best of the human spirit.”
