Harry hugs the heroes as fans scream for selfies with the prince - but there's still no sign of girlfriend Meghan Markle as Invictus Games get ready to go

  • Prince Harry, 33, has arrived  in Canada ahead of  Invictus Games opening ceremony
  • There was no sign of his girlfriend Meghan Markle - but the Suits star, 36, is widely expected to make her first public appearance with him 
  • Began countdown by meeting competitors in central Toronto to discuss global sporting event 
  • The royal turned up to the Pan Am Sports Centre on Friday afternoon to shake hands and hug athletes 
  • During visit he will hold a bilateral meeting with US First Lady Melania Trump - her first solo foreign trip and the first known meeting of a member of the royal family with a member of the Trump family

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Prince Harry swept into Toronto amid an outbreak of Harry-mania on Friday - and as he hugged an Australian athlete at his Invictus Games showed why he was drawing the crowds.

The prince is in Canada ahead of the opening ceremony of his games for wounded service personnel, where he is expected to make his first public appearance with  girlfriend Meghan Markle.

A huge crowd was waiting for the prince after his first appearance in the city – an early morning visit to Scotia Plaza in downtown Toronto for a symposium with participants in the games, which open on Saturday.

Dressed in a blue sports jacket, a white shirt and black jeans, the royal, 33, beamed at the small crowd that had gathered to see him and shook hands with well-wishers as he arrived.

But by the time he was leaving screaming fans were lined up for a glimpse of the royal. 

And later when he went to the pool, he showed the bantering, hug-dispensing face of the royal family which has earned him the adulation of the crowds.

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Harry the hugger: The prince is counting down to the opening of the Invictus Games - and went to a training session where he hugged one of the wheelchair athletes taking part

Harry the hugger: The prince is counting down to the opening of the Invictus Games - and went to a training session where he hugged one of the wheelchair athletes taking part

 Hug for a hero: Australian athlete Kris Lane, 23, from Brisbane, Australia, was embraced by the prince who was watching a training session at the Pan Am Centre in Toronto on the day before the opening of his Invictus Games.

 Hug for a hero: Australian athlete Kris Lane, 23, from Brisbane, Australia, was embraced by the prince who was watching a training session at the Pan Am Centre in Toronto on the day before the opening of his Invictus Games.

The handsome man smiled as he posed with a stuffed toy kangaroo for a fan's photo during the event
He sported a black shirt with the Invictus Games logo

The handsome man smiled as he posed with a stuffed toy kangaroo for a fan's photo during the event, sporting a black shirt with the Invictus Games logo

Harry had changed into a more casual look when he met with competitors at the Toronto Pan Am Centre, different from the blue sports jacket, a white shirt and black jeans he wore when he arrived on Friday morning 

Harry had changed into a more casual look when he met with competitors at the Toronto Pan Am Centre, different from the blue sports jacket, a white shirt and black jeans he wore when he arrived on Friday morning 

 The 33-year-old shook hands, hugged and joked with the Games' competitors on the eve before the event started

 The 33-year-old shook hands, hugged and joked with the Games' competitors on the eve before the event started

Harry spent some time with athletes representing Australia at the international competition, much to their apparent delight 

Harry spent some time with athletes representing Australia at the international competition, much to their apparent delight 

There was no sign of his girlfriend Meghan Markle - but the Suits star, 36, is widely expected to make her first public appearance with him

There was no sign of his girlfriend Meghan Markle - but the Suits star, 36, is widely expected to make her first public appearance with him

Chat: Prince Harry went around the training session at one of the Invictus venues where he spent time with some of the 550 athletes taking part

Team talk: Prince Harry spoke to basketball players from the Romanian and Ukrainian teams during his visit to the training session

Team talk: Prince Harry spoke to basketball players from the Romanian and Ukrainian teams during his visit to the training session

Team photo to remember: Prince Harry, who set up the Invictus Games, posed with members of the Ukrainian team during his visit to the training session

This will get likes: The prince will be on social media postings around the world after delighting athletes in Toronto by posing for team photos 

This will get likes: The prince will be on social media postings around the world after delighting athletes in Toronto by posing for team photos 

Everyone wants a picture: Prince Harry was recorded at every turn by team members and support staff 

Everyone wants a picture: Prince Harry was recorded at every turn by team members and support staff 

The rest of the weekend will see the Prince hold bilateral meetings with US First Lady Melania Trump, Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and outgoing Canadian Governor General David Johnston

The rest of the weekend will see the Prince hold bilateral meetings with US First Lady Melania Trump, Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and outgoing Canadian Governor General David Johnston

Harry later turned his attention poolside as he chatted with female swimmers during the athletes' training session 

Harry later turned his attention poolside as he chatted with female swimmers during the athletes' training session 

He stopped to give a hug to runner Kristin Lane, 23, from Brisbane, Australia, who was at the Pan Am Centre to watch the swimmers being put through their paces.

Lane, who had been dozing when the Prince arrived, told DailyMail.com: 'He woke me up and then we just embraced. I've met him a couple of times before so he must have recognized me.

'He just said how are you? and we chatted about a few things.'

The athlete told DailyMail.com that he spent four years in the Army before being injured. He received a medical discharge two months ago but said the Games is helping him to adjust.

Lane said: 'Being here is awesome - the whole journey has been really good and it's great being here with all the guys.' The 23-year-old will compete this week in the 100, 200 and 400m events.   

Harry also joked with a group of Australian swimmers, laughingly pretending to drop kick a kangaroo mascot into the pool.

Swimmer Chris Clark, 45, told DailyMail.com that he almost believed Harry was serious saying: 'He's a lovely young man. I half thought he was serious for a moment - he can get away with things I can't.'

Coach Amy Beal, 33, of Perth, Australia, added: 'He was joking about our boxing kangaroo - his name is Skip but Chris' son calls him Roger.

'Rodger is going everywhere with Chris during this trip.

She continued: 'Rodger has a spine so Harry was asking, what have you got in there? What are you trying to smuggle through customs?'

The engagement, Harry's second of the day, was at the Pan Am Centre - the venue for the swimming and rowing competitions.

As well as Team Australia, athletes inside the venue came from all 17 competing nations, among them Team USA and Team GB.

Beal said she and other members had previously met Harry during the Sydney Invictus Games launch in June and said he had remembered him.

'We met him in Sydney for the launch in June so he recognized us,' she said.

'He was talking about jet lag because he knew we had come all the way from Australia, plus our prep and whether we are ready.

'He's like a friend - just joking around and having fun.'

Hanging with Harry: The prince was on the sidelines for a game of wheelchair basketball 

Hanging with Harry: The prince was on the sidelines for a game of wheelchair basketball 

Impressive venue: The Pan Am Sports Centre in Toronto will play host to the games for real in coming days, with Prince Harry present for all of them

Impressive venue: The Pan Am Sports Centre in Toronto will play host to the games for real in coming days, with Prince Harry present for all of them

Ear me now: Prince Harry had plenty to say as he spent time at the training session in the Pan Am Session in Toronto

Ear me now: Prince Harry had plenty to say as he spent time at the training session in the Pan Am Session in Toronto

Banter: Australian swim team athletes were all ears as the prince toured the complex

Banter: Australian swim team athletes were all ears as the prince toured the complex

Admiring looks: A member of the British swim team got an upclose supporter in the form of Prince Harry as he toured a training session

Admiring looks: A member of the British swim team got an upclose supporter in the form of Prince Harry as he toured a training session

All eyes: The British swim team member, one of the hundreds of athletes taking part in the games in Toronto, was closely inspected by the prince and other team officials and members

All eyes: The British swim team member, one of the hundreds of athletes taking part in the games in Toronto, was closely inspected by the prince and other team officials and members

Ready for action: Prince Harry will officially open the Invictus Games on Saturday and met athletes who are in the final stages of training

Ready for action: Prince Harry will officially open the Invictus Games on Saturday and met athletes who are in the final stages of training

Royal chat: The prince spent time at the practice session with athletes from teams including Australia. Competition starts after the opening ceremony

Royal chat: The prince spent time at the practice session with athletes from teams including Australia. Competition starts after the opening ceremony

Lots to watch: The prince kept an eye on the wheelchair basketball as members of the Danish team took to the court to compete against the team from the Netherlands in a practice session

Lots to watch: The prince kept an eye on the wheelchair basketball as members of the Danish team took to the court to compete against the team from the Netherlands in a practice session

She added: 'We're quietly confident that we'll be competitive - I'm here to ensure these guys achieve what they want to.' 

Harry's first engagement of the day was at Scotia Plaza to attend the True Patriot Love Symposium; an annual meeting that brings together representatives from non-profit foundations, business and government to discuss how best to help military veterans and their families.

The agenda at this year's event, which was being livestreamed online throughout the day, is focused on soldiers' wellbeing during both peacetime and during war. 

Harry spent part of the morning at the event, meeting Invictus competitors and their families who are taking part in a panel discussion.

He congratulated a pregnant athlete who's taking part in his Paralympic-style Invictus Games and was told she hopes to being their baby to the contest next year. 

Harry, 33, met Randi Gavell who's set to compete in several sports in the coming week in Toronto. 

The former staff sergeant, who was medically retired from the US army in 2010 after suffering a traumatic brain injury following a truck bomb blast in Iraq in 2006, is expecting a girl, she told Harry at a meeting with families at a special pre-games conference. 

'The first question I asked my doctor was if I could still go to Canada,' she told Harry when he congratulated her. 

'I'll take it easy, I will be careful. It's a girl and we're pretty excited. She will probably have more medals before she's born!' 

Gavell, who is four and a half months pregnant, is in Toronto with her husband Richard Hobson, a serving staff sergeant in the U.S Army and he told Harry that 'maybe next year you'll meet the baby.'

Gavell, who is set to take part in rowing, swimming, sitting volleyball and track events, then handed him a gift of a Team USA coin, and told the prince: 'It's so amazing for us to have this opportunity. We couldn't have done his without you.' 

Meet the crowds: A tiny fraction of the total crowd was just visible behind a beaming Prince Harry as he left the first engagement of his week-long stay in Toronto

Meet the crowds: A tiny fraction of the total crowd was just visible behind a beaming Prince Harry as he left the first engagement of his week-long stay in Toronto

Man of the moment: A huge crowd was outside the Scotia Plaza in Toronto as Prince Harry left the first official engagement of his stay in the Canadian city, which is hosting his Invictus Games
Man of the moment: A huge crowd was outside the Scotia Plaza in Toronto as Prince Harry left the first official engagement of his stay in the Canadian city, which is hosting his Invictus Games

Man of the moment: A huge crowd was outside the Scotia Plaza in Toronto as Prince Harry left the first official engagement of his stay in the Canadian city, which is hosting his Invictus Games 

We love you Harry: The Prince got a huge reception at his first official engagement in Toronto. He is in the capital of Ontario as it hosts the Invictus Games

We love you Harry: The Prince got a huge reception at his first official engagement in Toronto. He is in the capital of Ontario as it hosts the Invictus Games

Face to face with a hero: Prince Harry knelt to talk to Trevor Greene, who was a captain in the Canadian Armed Forces' Seaforth Highlanders when he suffered a massive brain injury in combat in Kandahar, Afghanistan in 2006. He and his wife, Debbie, were among those taking part in the prince's first engagement ahead of the Invictus Games opening ceremony.

Face to face with a hero: Prince Harry knelt to talk to Trevor Greene, who was a captain in the Canadian Armed Forces' Seaforth Highlanders when he suffered a massive brain injury in combat in Kandahar, Afghanistan in 2006. He and his wife, Debbie, were among those taking part in the prince's first engagement ahead of the Invictus Games opening ceremony.

Photo time: Prince Harry posed for pictures with Australian veteran and athlete Mark Reidy, his wife Karen May, and their children at the True Love Patriot Symposium in Toronto

Photo time: Prince Harry posed for pictures with Australian veteran and athlete Mark Reidy, his wife Karen May, and their children at the True Love Patriot Symposium in Toronto

Harry gets them laughing: Mark Reidy, an Australian veteran who is competing in the games, and his wife Karen May, were laughing as they talked to Harry and another participant in the forum

Harry gets them laughing: Mark Reidy, an Australian veteran who is competing in the games, and his wife Karen May, were laughing as they talked to Harry and another participant in the forum

Harry mania hits Canada: This was just some of the crowd waiting for a chance to see Prince Harry as he left a symposium in the Scotia Plaza in Toronto ahead of the opening of the Invictus Games

Harry mania hits Canada: This was just some of the crowd waiting for a chance to see Prince Harry as he left a symposium in the Scotia Plaza in Toronto ahead of the opening of the Invictus Games

I want a selfie! This was part of the crowd in the Scotia Plaza as Harry left the pre-Invictus Games symposium

I want a selfie! This was part of the crowd in the Scotia Plaza as Harry left the pre-Invictus Games symposium

Hello girls! A beaming Prince Harry made the day of two of the forum's participants as he greeted them at the event in Scotia Plaza, Toronto

Hello girls! A beaming Prince Harry made the day of two of the forum's participants as he greeted them at the event in Scotia Plaza, Toronto

Harry mania! One woman was delighted to get a sighting of the Prince in Scotia Plaza, Toronto, Friday

Harry mania! One woman was delighted to get a sighting of the Prince in Scotia Plaza, Toronto, Friday

Happy to be here: Smiling and relaxed Prince Harry arrived for the first engagement he is holding in Toronto ahead of his Invictus Games. His girlfriend Meghan Markle is expected to attend

Happy to be here: Smiling and relaxed Prince Harry arrived for the first engagement he is holding in Toronto ahead of his Invictus Games. His girlfriend Meghan Markle is expected to attend

With the athletes: Prince Harry met competitors in the Invictus Games in Toronto on Friday as he prepared for their opening ceremony on Saturday

With the athletes: Prince Harry met competitors in the Invictus Games in Toronto on Friday as he prepared for their opening ceremony on Saturday

I met Harry! The Prince congratulated Randi Gavell and her husband Richard Hobson. Gavell, a retired U.S. Army staff sergeant is competing in the games and is four and a half months pregnant. 'The first question I asked my doctor was if I could still go to Canada,' she told Harry when he congratulated her. Her husband, a serving staff sergeant said: 'Maybe next year you'll meet the baby.'

I met Harry! The Prince congratulated Randi Gavell and her husband Richard Hobson. Gavell, a retired U.S. Army staff sergeant is competing in the games and is four and a half months pregnant. 'The first question I asked my doctor was if I could still go to Canada,' she told Harry when he congratulated her. Her husband, a serving staff sergeant said: 'Maybe next year you'll meet the baby.'

On stage: After meeting Harry, retired Staff Sgt Randi Gavell and her husband, Staff Sgt Richard Hobson, were on stage to discuss their experiences. Gavell suffered traumatic brain injury as she served with the U.S. Army in Iraq

On stage: After meeting Harry, retired Staff Sgt Randi Gavell and her husband, Staff Sgt Richard Hobson, were on stage to discuss their experiences. Gavell suffered traumatic brain injury as she served with the U.S. Army in Iraq

All business: Prince Harry was dressed smartly as he arrived at the Toronto venue where the Invictus Games warm-up event was being held

All business: Prince Harry was dressed smartly as he arrived at the Toronto venue where the Invictus Games warm-up event was being held

Call me: A light-hearted Prince Harry was all smiles as he attended the symposium in Scotia Plaza, Toronto, as a final preparation for his Invictus Games

Call me: A light-hearted Prince Harry was all smiles as he attended the symposium in Scotia Plaza, Toronto, as a final preparation for his Invictus Games

Smiling Prince Harry arriving at the True Love Symposium, a national charity dedicated to funding essential programs and services for military families, on the eve of the Invictus Games

In love: Meghan Markle broke her silence on the relationship with Prince Harry telling Vanity Fair: 'We are two people who are really happy and in love.'

In love: Meghan Markle broke her silence on the relationship with Prince Harry telling Vanity Fair: 'We are two people who are really happy and in love.'

Meghan Markle, 36, is widely expected to make her first official appearance with the Prince at some stage during the games 

Meghan Markle, 36, is widely expected to make her first official appearance with the Prince at some stage during the games 

UNCONQUERED: HARRY'S GAMES OF COURAGE 

The Invictus Games, now in its third edition, was started in 2014 by Prince Harry and was inspired by the USA's Warrior Games.

Competitors are drawn from 17 countries, including the U.K., USA, Canada and Australia and 550 veterans will take part in this year's event.

All are former or serving members of the military, many of whom suffered life-changing injuries during combat.

The event will last a week, beginning with a celebrity-studded Opening Ceremony on Saturday night. Guests will include Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and US First Lady Melania Trump.

Last year's event was held in Orlando, Florida, and along with Prince Harry, then Vice President Joe Biden and his wife Jill attended.

The first edition, held in London, saw senior members of the Royal family descend on the Games, among them the Queen and the Duke of Edinburgh, the Prince of Wales and the Duchess of Cornwall, and the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge.

Next year's event will be held in Sydney, Australia. 

The name of the Games is drawn from a Victorian poem by William Earnest Henley, written in 1875.

Titled Invictus, the final two lines have become the Games' motto and read: 'I am the master of my fate, I am the captain of my soul.'  

Prior to the inaugural Games in London 2014, the poem was read in a promotional video by actors Daniel Craig and Tom Hardy.

Although neither are expected at this year's event, high profile guests lending their support include comedian Mike Myers, rocker Bruce Springsteen and musician turned photographer Bryan Adams. 

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He spoke also with Mark Reidy and Karen May, who'd flown in from Australia with two of their four children. 

Harry posed for pictures with them and asked if they were jet-lagged and said: 'Are you excited? There's going to be lots screaming and shouting.'

Friday's symposium explored themes including secondary PTSD, care-giver fatigue, the resilience of military children when faced with parental injury and how sport helps the family's recovery journey too. 

Taking part was David Wiseman, a former U.K. captain at the games. He is now head of armed forces programs at the Royal Foundation that Harry heads, along with the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge.

Afterwards, the prince was travelling to the Pan Am Sports Centre where he is expected to watch some of the training sessions taking place ahead of the Games.

Friday will see the Prince hold bilateral meetings with US First Lady Melania Trump, Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and outgoing Canadian Governor General David Johnston.

He will also take part in the Jaguar LandRover Driving Challenge in Toronto's quaint distillery district before going on to the Opening Ceremony at the Air Canada Center.

Joined by Melania Trump and Justin Trudeau, the Prince will see Alessia Cara, Sarah McLachlan and The Tenors take to the stage, as well as a parade of nations and an official flag-raising ceremony.

Meghan, who is understood to be in Toronto, is also a potential attendee, although the glamorous Suits actress has not publicly disclosed whether she plans to be at the event.

Earlier this month, 36-year-old spoke to Vanity Fair about her relationship with Harry – telling the magazine the couple are 'in love'.

The very public declaration sparked another round of engagement rumors, first ignited by her appearance on the sidelines at a polo match in Gloucestershire, UK, and at Pippa Middleton's wedding in May.

Although the actress has no official role in the Games, she is expected to attend at least one of the events, although it is not known whether it will be with her royal boyfriend or as an individual.

This year's event, the third, is being held in Toronto and follows successful Games in Orlando, Florida, and London, UK.  

Competing nations include hosts Canada, the USA, Great Britain, Denmark, Afghanistan and Iraq, among others and a total of 550 veterans will take part.

Harry is patron of the Invictus Games Foundation, which manages the event, and was in Sydney, Australia, earlier this year to launch the 2018 Games.

On his return to the UK, it has been announced the royal will take part in a two-day visit to Danish capital Copenhagen, where he will meet members of Team Denmark freshly returned from Canada.

The visit, which was announced by Kensington Palace this morning, will take place on October 25 and 26 and will also include an audience with long-serving Danish head of state, Queen Margrethe II. 

Harry looked to be bursting with pride ahead of the opening ceremony for the Invictus Games, one of the projects that's closest to his heart 

Harry looked to be bursting with pride ahead of the opening ceremony for the Invictus Games, one of the projects that's closest to his heart 

Harry arriving for the True Patriot Love Symposium at the Scotia Plaza in Toronto, Canada

Harry arriving for the True Patriot Love Symposium at the Scotia Plaza in Toronto, Canada

The Prince was in high spirits as he arrived at Scotia Plaza in the city on Friday 

The Prince was in high spirits as he arrived at Scotia Plaza in the city on Friday 

The Prince looked at ease as he chatted with competitors and their families at the True Patriot Love Symposium

The Prince looked at ease as he chatted with competitors and their families at the True Patriot Love Symposium

The Opening Ceremony will take place on Saturday in Toronto, kicking off a week of action

The Opening Ceremony will take place on Saturday in Toronto, kicking off a week of action

The Prince with British Gold Medal Winner for the 200m Dave Henson during the 2014 Games 

The Prince with British Gold Medal Winner for the 200m Dave Henson during the 2014 Games 

First lady Melania Trump will take her first solo trip this weekend, heading to Toronto to lead the US delegation at the Invictus Games 
Melania Trump has tapped Las Vegas personality Wayne Newton (pictured) and retired golfer Nancy Lopez to be part of the official US delegation
Melania Trump has tapped Las Vegas personality Wayne Newton and retired golfer Nancy Lopez (pictured) to be part of the official US delegation

First lady Melania Trump will take her first solo trip this weekend, heading to Toronto to lead the US delegation at the Invictus Games 

The presence of the U.S. first lady at the games is a victory for Harry as it will bring huge awareness of the games in the U.S.

Mrs Trump is leading the U.S. delegation in her first solo foreign trip. Her meeting with the prince will be the first between a Trump and a member of the British royal family.

She is  bringing Las Vegas entertainer Wayne Newton and retired gold pro Nancy Lopez - and poignantly, Karen Kelly, the wife of White House chief of staff John Kelly, a retired Marine general.

The Kellys' son, Robert, was a 1st lieutenant in the Marines when he was killed in action in Afghanistan in 2010.

Other countries taking part in this year's event include France, Germany, Estonia and Italy.

Servicemen and women from Ukraine, whose president Petro Poroshenko is in Toronto to see the Games, Jordan, the Netherlands and New Zealand will also compete.

The mascot at the 2017 event is a cartoon Labrador retriever dog named Vimy.

Vimy refers to Vimy Ridge - an engagement during the World War I Battle of Arras in 1917 which saw the Canadian Corps ordered to storm a German position.

Previous French attacks had failed, with the loss of 100,000 lives, but the men of the Canadian Corps prevailed, losing 10,000 in the process. 

Sporting events, conducted in the style of a Paralympic-type competition, include swimming, archery, wheelchair basketball and athletics.

Golf is a new addition to this year's line-up and rowing, sitting volleyball and wheelchair rugby events will also be held.

Previous Games have seen the latter sport include celebrity exhibition matches, although none is expected this year.

Known colloquially as 'murder ball', previous participants include Derek Hough, Mike Tindall, Zara Phillips and Harry himself. 

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