Prince Harry found a thrilling way to put some distance between himself and the scandal surrounding his and Meghan Markle’s Sussex family rebrand today – when he enjoyed a thrill-filled ride around a skeleton bobsled track in Whistler, Canada.
The 38-year-old Duke of Sussex achieved an impressive top speed of 61 miles-per-hour during his daring adventure – a feat that left even his wife Meghan, 42, voicing her awe, telling fellow onlookers that she was ‘impressed’ with her husband’s skills.
While Meghan did not take part in the bobsledding fun, she was able to enjoy every aspect of her husband’s ride when he got off the sled – before enthusiastically re-enacting his thrill ride to his wife and Invictus volunteers after getting off.
On day two of their Invictus Games One Year to Go tour in Canada, Harry and Meghan arrived at the Whistler Sliding Center in British Columbia shortly after 1pm but their appearance was delayed by over 30 minutes while the Duke was given a safety briefing.
Prince Harry proved himself quite the thrill-seeker today when he attempted a run around a skeleton bobsled track – achieving an impressive top speed of 61 miles-per-hour
While Meghan did not take part in the bobsledding fun, she was able to enjoy every aspect of her husband’s ride when he got off the sled and re-enacted the ride for her
The 38-year-old Duke of Sussex achieved an impressive top speed of 61 miles-per-hour during his daring adventure – a feat that left even his wife Meghan, 42, voicing her awe
The couple, fresh from a romantic Valentine’s Day dinner date, were both on chipper form as they made their entrance the venue, with a beaming Harry whizzing past on his bobsled and Meghan quipping ‘I can hear him’ as his sled set off and filming him on her phone as he flashed past.
Meghan was wrapped up against the 30F (-4C) temperatures in a black padded jacket and leggings and a navy hat and scarf while her husband kept things casual in gray pants and a black insulated jacket – topped off with a white crash helmet.
After the high speed arrival, to the sound of Invictus branded cowbells waved by onlookers, came a meet and greet with athletes preparing to perform at the event next year on a platform overlooking the track.
Among the athletes waiting to be introduced were Canadian veteran and mental health advocate Mark Beare, Estonian former soldier and amputee Rasmus Penno and Nigerian power lifter and ex-soldier Peacemaker Azuegbulam.
Peacemaker, a 27-year-old double amputee from Imo, Nigeria, made his skeleton debut immediately after Harry – despite never having seen snow or been on a bobsled 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 today, the double amputee 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.
The bobsled track, which is billed as the fastest in the world, includes a 485-ft vertical drop, as well as 16 curves
Proud Meghan watched on and took videos and photos of Harry as he whizzed to the end of the bobsled track
The mother-of-two bundled up in a black puffer jacket, black jeans, and a navy beanie and scarf, while also flashing a glimpse at her large engagement ring
‘I am proud to be the first Invictus champion from Africa and I feel recharged. It totally changed my mindset.’
The venue is a bobsleigh, luge, and skeleton track that is part of the Whistler Blackcomb resort; the venue was built for the 2010 Winter Olympics which were also held in the town.
The track, billed as the fastest in the world, includes a 148m (485ft) vertical drop and boasts 16 curves, while the surrounding stadium has space for 12,000 spectators.
The couple’s appearance comes immediately after Harry hit back at criticism over the newly rebranded Sussex.com, with a spokesman angrily insisting ‘this couple will not be broken.’
They added: ‘We’ve heard time and time again that certain opportunities are make or break for the couple.
‘They’re still here. They’re still working and pursuing what they believe in, despite being constantly challenged and criticized. This couple will not be broken.’
While the row over Sussex.com remains ongoing, it has failed to detract from their enjoyment of the Invictus Games training camp with both seen laughing and joking with competitors on day one which took place in sub-zero conditions on the slopes of Blackcomb Mountain.
There, Harry tried his hand at sit-ski – an adapted version of the sport designed for amputees – while Meghan smiled broadly as she met visually impaired athletes who were nonetheless prepared to take to the slopes in next year’s competition.
Later, 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.’
The pair, who have been staying in Whistler, are due to head back to Vancouver later today ahead of an event in the City of Glass on Friday morning where Harry is due to make a speech.
After that, the couple are expected to head home to Montecito, California, where they will be reunited with children Archie, four, and Lilibet, two.
