Prince Harry made a series of surprise appearances over the weekend, missing the royal family's annual Trooping the Colour event in London. While his father King Charles and other working royals celebrated the monarch's official birthday, the Duke of Sussex was thousands of miles away in the United States.
Surprise Visits to NBA Finals and Warrior Games
Hours after the Trooping the Colour ceremony, Harry was spotted at Game 5 of the NBA Finals between the San Antonio Spurs and the New York Knicks in Texas. He attended the match with US Army veteran and Purple Heart recipient JP Lane, sitting alongside NBA Commissioner Adam Silver, just a few rows from the court. The Knicks won 94-90, securing their first NBA title since 1973.
Following the basketball game, Harry traveled to San Antonio for the Warrior Games, an event organized by the US Department of Defense for wounded, injured, or ill military personnel. The Warrior Games are said to have inspired Harry's own Invictus Games, which will be held in Birmingham, UK, next year.
Harry Serves Barbecue and Presents Medals
During his visit to the Warrior Games, Harry donned an apron and helped serve barbecue food to competitors, volunteers, and their families. He also participated in a medal ceremony, handing out prizes to winners. Event organizers shared on social media: "We were honoured to have Prince Harry, Duke of Sussex, out to support our wounded, ill, and injured service members during Cycling and Wheelchair Basketball. On Day 2 of the Warrior Games, he brought energy, encouragement, and support to our competitors' recovery journeys."
Neither Harry's wife Meghan nor their children, Prince Archie and Princess Lilibet, were seen at the events. The couple has regularly attended sporting events since moving to the US in 2020, including the NBA All-Star Game earlier this year.
Trooping the Colour Proceeds Without Harry
Meanwhile, in London, King Charles participated in the Trooping the Colour ceremony on Saturday, a display of military pageantry marking his official birthday. The Princess of Wales and her children, Prince George, Princess Charlotte, and Prince Louis, watched from a window overlooking Horse Guards Parade. Crowds lined The Mall as the royal family's carriage procession made its way from Buckingham Palace. Harry has not attended Trooping the Colour for four years.
