2016 Invictus Games: Michelle Obama Introduces Prince Harry At Fort Belvoir; British Royal Gets Cheers From Female Soldiers

The first lady of U.S. Michelle Obama introduced Prince Harry saying: “Come on ladies, Prince Harry is here. Don’t act like you don’t care.” She brought the house down with lots of cheer from the female soldiers.

The British royal, Michelle and the wife of U.S. vice president Dr Jill Biden were on a tour to meet the female military personnel and their relatives at Fort Belvoir base in Virginia Wednesday.

Harry is in U.S. to promote the 2016 Invictus Games, an international sporting competition for wounded servicemen scheduled to take place in Florida in May 2016. The 31-year-old British royal started the international games last year in London after a visit to the American Warrior Games in Colorado sparked the idea.

Meanwhile, Michelle said in a lighter vein teasing Harry that she needed to apologize in advance to him for all the gold medals that America would win Orlando. She also gave a big hug to the prince. Harry gave a touching speech to the wounded servicemen and their family members who had gathered at the sports hall to hear him.

Harry said that his experiences in Afghanistan changed the direction of his life and persuaded him to dedicate it to helping wounded veterans live fulfilled lives. He recounted how while returning home after his first deployment in Afghanistan, he met three critically injured British soldiers, who were in induced coma and the body of a Danish soldier, killed in action.

The royal said that it was there that he got to understand his responsibility. He then made up his mind to help all veterans, who had made huge personal sacrifices for their countries, to lead healthy and dignified lives after service.

Later, he met U.S. president Barack Obama in the Oval Office at the White House for the first time. Harry thanked Obama and the country for giving him the idea of the Invictus Games. Harry added that the Invictus Games is a take on the Warrior Games of the U.S., making it international, better, and giving it back to the country. Obama also praised the Games and thanked Harry for his service in Afghanistan alongside American troops.

Harry is working closely with Michelle, Dr Biden, who are both keen supporters of forces’ families in the U.S. In 2011 they launched Joining Forces, an initiative that called on Americans to rally round veterans and provide education and employment opportunities for them.