Prince Harry Kisses Meghan Markle On Invictus Games Stage, Shares Archie's Dream Career

Prince Harry and Meghan Markle both took the stage at the opening ceremony of this year's Invictus Games.

The Duke and Duchess of Sussex are in the Netherlands for the fifth Invictus Games. The royal couple each gave a speech when the event kicked off in The Hague Saturday after being pushed back for two years.

Prince Harry, 37, began his speech by sharing a kiss with Markle, 40, before going on to praise the games' participants as role models and share his 2-year-old son Archie's potential career aspirations.

"To be role models, or the role models that each of you are, takes strength and it takes courage," Prince Harry was quoted as saying by People. "When I talk to my son Archie about what he wants to be when he grows up, some days it's an astronaut, other days it's a pilot — a helicopter pilot obviously — or Kwazii from 'Octonauts.'"

Prince Harry then revealed the only expectation he and Markle have of their son regardless of what career Archie pursues in the future.

"But what I remind him is that no matter what you want to be when you grow up, it's your character that matters most, and nothing would make his mum and me prouder than to see him have the character of what we see before us today," said the duke, who also shares 10-month-old daughter Lilibet Diana with his wife.

Prior to Prince Harry's speech, Markle thanked the Netherlands for the warm welcome and for hosting the annual event. She also acknowledged each team present in the competition, noting that it took a lot physically and emotionally to be there, especially for team Ukraine, whose country continues to fight back against Russia's invasion.

"One thing I know for sure is that every single moment it has taken to get here will be worth it, because it is here, at the Invictus Games, that we honor your years of active duty on the field and your continued service to your country, to your family and your community off the field," Markle said.

The former "Suits" star also gave a shoutout to the friends and family members who are present to support the veterans in the competition.

"This is service, this is dedication and this is the Invictus family," she concluded.

The fifth Invictus Games were originally scheduled for 2020, but the event was delayed until 2021 and then again to 2022 due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Markle previously joined Prince Harry at the 2017 Invictus Games in Toronto, Canada, where they made their official public debut as a couple. She was by his side again in 2018 for the Sydney Games, shortly after the couple announced they were expecting their first child.

Before heading to the Netherlands for this year's games, the Duke and Duchess of Sussex paid a brief visit to Queen Elizabeth II at Windsor Castle in London. They also met with Prince Charles during their U.K. stop, but it was reported that Prince William and Kate Middleton weren't involved in the meeting.

The Invictus Games in The Hague runs from April 16 to 22.