Prince Harry cheers on Team UK at Invictus wheelchair rugby final

Prince Harry cheers on Team UK and poses for pictures with fans at Invictus Games wheelchair rugby final

• Duke of Sussex had a front row seat during wheelchair rugby final in Dusseldorf 

Prince Harry cheered on Team UK in the Invictus Games final of the wheelchair rugby against Team USA tonight.

Harry had a front row seat and showed his excitement as he clapped and cheered along with the noisy crowd.

The final took place in a raucous atmosphere at the Merkur-Spiel arena in Düsseldorf, Germany as both sets of fans cheered on the competitors.

A large number of UK supporters waved flags and attempted to shout down their rivals who waved the stars and stripes flag.

A wheelchair-bound USA supporter sitting in front of Harry became so enthusiastic she removed her prosthetic leg and waved it in the air.

Prince Harry had a front row seat for the wheelchair rugby final between Team USA and Team UK at the Invictus Games. He chats to a fan draped in a Union Flag 

Harry could be seen laughing and joking with other fans during the game which Team USA eventually won 21-13 to take home the gold medal 

Harry tapped his leg to the music each time a try was scored.

He joined in with the applause as Team USA won 21-13 to take home the gold medal.

A fan dressed in army green and wearing a plastic helmet stood in front of Harry and saluted him.

READ MORE Prince Harry playfully tugs on Canadian fan’s beard as he attends powerlifting event at Invictus Games

Harry has been a huge supporter of the UK team since arriving in Dusseldorf and has made time to talk with as many of the competitors as he could, often posing for selfies.

But he is also likely to have some loyalty to the US team as America is now his adopted country having lived in California since quitting royal life.

An aide to Harry said he had been cheering both sides in the final.

‘He is an equal opportunist,’ said the aide.

The final of the wheelchair rugby is one of Harry’s favourite sports at the Invictus Games – and also one of the few where competitors come into contact.

It is considered one of the toughest sports in the world.

Although physical body contact is not permitted, it is legal for the athletes to use their wheelchairs to block opponents with collisions often taking place.

Players compete in teams of four with the game using a special volleyball.

The aim is for players to carry the ball on their laps across the opposing team’s eight-metre goal line.

The Duke of Sussex showed his excitement as he clapped and cheered along with the noisy crowd

The final took place among a raucous atmosphere at the Merkur-Spiel arena as both sets of fans cheered on the competitors

Harry smiles and poses with two youngsters during the final. A large number of UK supporters waved flags and attempted to shout down their rivals who waved the stars and stripes flag

Another UK fan takes a selfie while a friend sits next to a smiling Harry while holding their pet pooch 

The Duke was all too happy to chat with other spectators as he gives one little by a high-five

Team USA and Team UK battle it out for the gold medal during the final of the wheelchair rugby at the Invictus Games in Dusseldorf

Harry has been a huge supporter of the UK team since arriving in Dusseldorf and has made time to talk with as many of the competitors as he could, often posing for selfies

An aide to Harry said he had been cheering both sides in the final. ‘He is an equal opportunist,’ said the aide

Harry is an avid rugby fan as while patron of the Rugby Football Union attended most of England’s home matches at Twickenham.

READ MORE Don’t give up the day job, Harry! Duke of Sussex fails to score a single point in football challenge on Germany’s version of Match of the Day

But he was stripped of the role which was given to his sister-in-law and Princess of Wales, Kate Middleton, when he lost all his honorary titles during Megxit.

Harry arrived for the opening ceremony of his Invictus Games in Germany on Saturday where he received a mixed reaction. 

An excited crowd of royal fans eagerly awaited the arrival of Prince Harry at the ceremony being held in Dusseldorf Town Hall. He was joined by Stephen Keller, Mayor of Dusseldorf.

A small group of demonstrators shouted out anti-military slogans but as soon as Harry’s car pulled into the market square in front of the town hall they were drowned out by cheers from his fans. 

Over 500 people stood in the blazing sunshine as they stood behind barriers hoping the Prince would go on a walkabout and greet them. They shouted his name as he walked in a lightweight blue suit, white shirt and silver tie.

Earlier today the Duke of Sussex left two young boys delighted after giving them each a high-five while he was being escorted by bodyguards.

He was being walked alongside a grandstand by his security team including ex-US presidential bodyguard Chris Sanchez and ex-Metropolitan Police officer Dave Langdown when the two boys held out their hands for a high-five.

After Harry happily obliged, the children – one of whom was draped in a Union Jack – jumped up and down in excitement with one raising his fist in celebration.

The Duke of Sussex could be seen cupping his hands to his mouth and cheering with the crowd

Prince Harry greets Denmark’s Kasper Holm Henriksen at the track and field event today

The Duke of Sussex meets competitors as he attends the track and field event

Prince Harry, Duke of Sussex meets competitor Wali Noori at the Invictus Games

Prince Harry with Ukrainian Minister of Veteran Affairs Yulia Laputina in Dusseldorf today

The Duke has been given a hero’s welcome by those attending the latest iteration of the competition he founded for wounded and disabled military veterans.

Harry has said he plans to attend as many events as he can during the week-long competition. 

Meghan Markle is expected to meet some of the children attending the event when she arrives at the games later this week. 

The Duke founded the games in 2014 to aid the rehabilitation of military personnel by giving them the challenge of competing in sporting events similar to the Paralympics. 

This year’s competition will run until September 16.

A total of 550 sick, wounded and injured former and current military personnel from 21 countries are taking part in ten team and individual sports.

Source: Read Full Article