Meghan Markle once again found herself at the center of attention during a private Invictus Games event in Vancouver, Canada.
While Prince Harry, given his deep involvement with the games, was supposed to be the focal point, Meghan couldn't resist the allure of the microphone and an audience. Her speech sparked mixed reactions, leaving some puzzled and others rolling their eyes. Even before she spoke, Meghan ensured all eyes were on her. She planted a carefully timed, intimate kiss on Prince Harry, turning what was meant to be an event honoring military veterans into a moment about the Sussex brand. This left many wondering whether the occasion was truly about the veterans or just another PR opportunity for Meghan.
Grabbing the microphone, Meghan began with her signature display of false humility, declaring, "I was not planning on speaking tonight." Yet what followed was a flawlessly rehearsed monologue that felt anything but spontaneous. She gushed about how Canada immediately felt like home—a statement that raised eyebrows, considering she has previously claimed the UK, Montecito, South Africa, and now Canada as her home at various points.
Her speech quickly shifted to praising Prince Harry, emphasizing how much the Invictus Games meant to him. Although the event was meant to honor veterans, Meghan seemed more focused on turning the moment into a tribute to her husband. She even managed to bring their children, Archie and Lilibet, into the speech, claiming they were cheering from California. The idea of two toddlers clapping for wounded veterans while watching Bluey felt like a forced attempt to make the speech more relatable. She also highlighted Harry’s dedication, mentioning how Archie often asks why his father is always on the phone, and she reassures him, "It's for Invictus." The remark seemed to trivialize the complexity of organizing a major international sporting event, reducing it to a child's complaint about a distracted parent.
Despite Meghan's efforts to make the moment about herself and her family, the audience’s reaction was lukewarm at best. The applause was barely audible, making it clear that her speech—though obviously planned—failed to resonate. Even royal expert Hugo Vickers couldn't help but draw comparisons to an Oscar ceremony, where Meghan appeared to take center stage, overshadowing Harry. One critic summed it up perfectly: shouldn’t the welcome speech be about the athletes? Instead, it became all about her, the children, and how much Harry does, while the actual veterans were barely mentioned.
At its core, the Invictus Games celebrate the resilience and sacrifices of injured veterans, but Meghan’s speech felt self-congratulatory and insincere. Rather than focusing on the heroes the event was meant to honor, she used the opportunity to promote herself. Judging by the audience's muted response, it was clear they saw through it. Meghan’s speech at the Invictus Games was yet another example of her ability to steal the spotlight, even when it wasn’t meant for her. While her intentions may have been to support Harry, the execution fell flat. The Invictus Games should be about honoring veterans, not serving as a platform for personal PR.
