Prince Harry and Meghan Markle honor Ukraine's Invictus Games team at opening ceremony: 'We stand with you'

• Prince Harry and Meghan Markle spoke at the Invictus Games opening ceremony on Saturday.
• The couple paid tribute to the Ukrainian team's "bravery" during their speech.

Prince Harry and Meghan Markle paid tribute to team Ukraine at the 2022 Invictus Games opening ceremony on Saturday.

The Duke and Duchess of Sussex spoke during the ceremony in The Hague, Netherlands, touching on the particular "bravery" of the competitors from Ukraine, according to a video tweeted by Reuters.

"For each team, my husband and I both recognize it's been a lot to get here, both physically and emotionally, not least of which for the Ukraine team, whom we are all standing with," Meghan said according to the outlet, who then used the phrase "Slava Ukraini," which means "glory to Ukraine."

Prince Harry and Meghan Markle honor Ukrainian team at Invictus Games opening ceremony

Journalist Omid Scobie reported via Twitter Friday that Harry and Meghan met with Team Ukraine along with Team US at The Hague's US Embassy before arriving at the tournament.

—Omid Scobie (@scobie) April 15, 2022

At the opening ceremony, Harry said that all of the competitors at the Invictus Games encouraged others to give back in their own way before speaking directly to the Ukrainian team about their meeting.

"Your bravery in choosing to come, and for being here tonight, cannot be overstated. You told me yesterday when you decided to join us, despite all odds, you said you came to be on this global stage not simply to show your strength but to tell your truth — the truth — of what is happening in your country," Harry said, according to Reuters. "You know we stand with you. The world is united with you, and still, you deserve more."

Representatives for the Duke and Duchess of Sussex did not immediately respond to Insider's request for comment.

According to People, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy also connected with the country's competitors via video chat Thursday after the Invictus Games announced the safe arrival of the team. Ukraine's Facebook page wrote that Zelenskyy was proud of the "rebellious spirit" of the Ukrainian people and sent his support.

Harry and Meghan released a statement in support of Ukraine in February, calling the Russian invasion of the country a "breach of international and humanitarian law."

The couple's production company Archewell announced in April 2021 that it would release a docuseries about the Invictus Games with Netflix. Insider's Mikhaila reported at the time that "Heart of Invictus" would follow a group of competitors as they prepared for the 2022 tournament. Harry will serve as executive producer and appear on camera.

The Daily Mail reported on Thursday that a Netflix crew would film the couple's meeting with the Ukrainian team.

The Duke and Duchess arrived in The Netherlands after a visit with Queen Elizabeth II at Windsor Castle. They also participated in a driving challenge on Saturday before the opening ceremony, hopping in mini-sized vehicles with children for a loop around an obstacle course.

Harry, who served in the British Army, founded the games in 2014 as an international sports competition for injured military veterans.