Royals Incredible Photos and Inspiring Stories from the Athletes of the 2022 Invictus Games Prince Harry's competition for wounded veterans is happening now in The Hague, Netherlands By Kate Hogan and Michelle Tauber Michelle Tauber Twitter Michelle Tauber is the Senior Editor overseeing Royals coverage at PEOPLE People Editorial Guidelines Published on April 19, 2022 04:36 PM Share Tweet Pin Email Trending Videos 01 of 37 Joern Pollex/Getty Gabriel George of Team USA competes in archery on day two of the Invictus Games The Hague at Zuiderpark in the Netherlands. George was serving in the Navy when a 2008 motorcycle accident left his right arm paralyzed. (He underwent an amputation in 2020.) He took up archery just four years ago, using his teeth to hold the arrows. "His mind completely went to my pain, and you could feel him trying to figure out if there was something he could do," George tells PEOPLE about his conversation with Prince Harry at the Games. Then, in the kind of dark humor shared by so many veterans — including Prince Harry, a former captain in the British Army — the two enjoyed a memorable exchange. "He said, 'I heard you scuba dive,' " says George. "And I said, 'Yeah.' He was like, 'The shark could bite off your other arm—then what are you gonna do?' And I said, 'I got feet!' " 02 of 37 Josh Smith of Team USA. Lukas Schulze/Getty Images for Invictus Games The Hague 2020 Joshua Smith of Team USA spins during the men's IT7 1500m final on April 17. He won gold. "I'm just so appreciative," he tells PEOPLE. Smith, the Team USA cocaptain who first met Harry and Meghan, Duchess of Sussex, at the 2018 Australia Games, shared time with them again in the Netherlands. "The Duke came over to me, shook my hand, gave me five. He said, 'It's great to see you again, Josh. Thanks for being here.' That's something that's really special coming from the creator of the Games." 03 of 37 Dean Mouhtaropoulos/Getty Angela Euson of Team USA competes during the women's IJ2345 long jump final on April 17. For the dads and mums who have served, and have been wounded or injured or fallen ill, there's nothing that compares to seeing them rediscover their ability to do whatever they put their minds to," Prince Harry tells PEOPLE exclusively. "There's nothing like seeing their kids watch proudly from the stands. It's a true inspiration and a deeply touching experience." 04 of 37 Lukas Schulze/Getty Kionte Storey of Team USA runs during the mixed relay final heats - 4 x 100 meters on day three of the Invictus Games, April 18. "I feel like I have a special bond with all the teams, and I'm very much a supporter of the sport, as opposed to the winning. So there's no picking sides for me!" Harry tells PEOPLE. 05 of 37 Joern Pollex/Getty Nathan King and Chris O'Brien of Team Australia compete against Team Unconquered 3 during sitting volleyball on April 17. "The Invictus community has very much been a major part of my growth and learning. Creating the Games involved listening to military and veteran families—and hearing directly from them about their lives—and that offered so much perspective," Harry tells PEOPLE. 06 of 37 Prince Harry. Chris Jackson/Getty Prince Harry himself gets in on the fun with some table tennis on day four of the Games, April 19. "It's been a lesson in serving a pur- pose greater than ourselves, and the benefit that comes from that extends to both the individual and community," Prince Harry tells PEOPLE. I truly believe we are at our best when we're in service to others, and Invictus is all about upholding that value." 07 of 37 SEM VAN DER WAL/EPA-EFE/Shutterstock Prince Harry chats with Team USA's Gabriel George on April 17 during the archery event. "It was like I was talking to a friend," George tells PEOPLE of his time with Prince Harry. 08 of 37 Mike Murphy (left) and Joshua Connell of Team USA compete during the Men's IT6 1500m Final on day two of the Invictus Games. Connell ran as a guide for Murphy, who is blind. Lukas Schulze/Getty Images for Invictus Games The Hague 2020 Joshua Connell runs with Team USA's Michael Murphy (left), who is blind, in the men's IT6 1500m final on day two of the Invictus Games. Murphy, who lost his sight in a 2018 Army mission, needed a guide to assist him at the last minute for an April 17 race. His teammate Connell (right), a Navy vet, stepped in — just moments before running his own race. "What an amazing time," says Connell, who is battling stage 4 thyroid cancer. 09 of 37 SEM VAN DER WAL/EPA-EFE/Shutterstock Prince Harry happily snaps selfies in the crowd on April 17. "Many of these families have been to the darkest places imaginable. While each story is different and unique, the lessons are more relatable to all of us than they might seem. I am proud to watch their recoveries, but even prouder of their service to others," Prince Harry tells PEOPLE. 10 of 37 Lukas Schulze/Getty Eugen Manaila of Team Romania competes during the men's IF8 shotput final on day three of the Invictus Games, April 18. 11 of 37 Joern Pollex/Getty Micheal Nicholson of Team USA rides during the men's 200 metres IT5 final on day three of the Invictus Games. 12 of 37 Dean Mouhtaropoulos/Getty Wouter Bakker of Team Netherlands Team Unconquered 1 competes against Team Georgia during sitting volleyball on day three. 13 of 37 Lukas Schulze/Getty Rodion Sitdikov Team Ukraine shows his strength during the men's IF23 shotput on day two of the Invictus Games. "What is happening in Ukraine is truly heart-breaking. There can be no justification for such inhumanity," Prince Harry tells PEOPLE. "Most of the Invictus Ukrainian team reenlisted for their country's armed forces when the war started, filling roles wherever they could, depending on their injuries. Their courage is immeasurable, and their love and service for their people is a shining example to all of us. The unconquerable spirit of these Games has only grown stronger." 14 of 37 Lukas Schulze/Getty Carlo Calcagni of Team Italy keeps moving during the men's IT7 200 meters heats on day two of the Invictus Games, April 17. 15 of 37 Meghan Markle, Prince Harry and Lisa Johnston. Chris Jackson/Getty Meghan Markle and Prince Harry give a cheer as Lisa Johnston of Team United Kingdom celebrates at the finish line of the athletics competition during day two of the Invictus Games. "It was a surprise that he came over, and he had this big smile on his face," says U.K. competitor Lisa Johnston, who was greeted by Harry after winning gold on April 17. "I said, 'I'm a bit of a hugger,' and he said, 'No problem' and gives me this incredible hug." 16 of 37 Lukas Schulze/Getty Wessam Alkadhemy of Team Iraq gives it his all during the men's IF6 shotput final on day three of the Invictus Games, April 18. 17 of 37 Dean Mouhtaropoulos/Getty Rafael Morfinenciso of Team USA flies through the air during the men's IJ5 long jump on April 17. 18 of 37 Prince Harry. Chris Jackson/Getty Images for the Invictus Games Foundation Prince Harry talks to members of Invictus Team Ukraine at the athletics competition during day two of the Invictus Games. 19 of 37 Meghan Markle and Prince Harry. ANP via Getty Prince Harry and Meghan Markle sit courtside during sitting volleyball on April 16. "The Games are important to us for many reasons, and they're anchored to very pivotal and sentimental moments for us as a couple," Harry tells PEOPLE. "I am an incredibly lucky man to have her as my wife." 20 of 37 Meghan Markle and Prince Harry. Samir Hussein/WireImage Prince Harry celebrates as his car — and pint-sized driver! — compete in the Land Rover Challenge at Zuiderpark on April 16. 21 of 37 Meghan Markle and Prince Harry hug Invictus Games athlete Lisa Johnston. Patrick van Katwijk/Getty Meghan Markle and Prince Harry embrace a member of Team United Kingdom, wrapped in the Union Jack, on April 17. 22 of 37 Invictus Games athlete Natalie Pye-Keenan (left). Lyndon Goveas - CFMWS Natalie Pye-Keenan of the Canadian team spoke with Meghan and Harry during the Games. "They have a genuine interest in you," she tells PEOPLE of meeting the couple. "They're just there just to make us feel better. I gave [Harry] a bottle of maple syrup. He's got a good handshake! He's connecting in a way that's not just on the surface. He's listening. He cares." 23 of 37 Chris Jackson/Getty Harry greets a little one on April 20 while hanging in the crowd during the indoor rowing competition. 24 of 37 ANP via Getty Team Canada and Team United Kingdom face off in an April 21 wheelchair basketball game. 25 of 37 Chris Jackson/Getty A competitor smiles while showing his strength on April 20 at the indoor rowing competition. 26 of 37 Chris Jackson/Getty A pooch smooch! Harry greets a friendly service dog on day five of the Invictus Games, April 20. 27 of 37 Lukas Schulze/Getty Kionte Storey of Team USA warms up in the training hall on day six of the Invictus Games, April 21. 28 of 37 Patrick van Katwijk/Getty Always up for entertaining kids, Harry gives a fist bump to a young spectator on April 20. 29 of 37 Joern Pollex/Shutterstock Wheelchair basketball competitor Jelle van Der Steen of The Netherlands says hello to Harry during the April 21 game. The former Marine had surgery last week and couldn't compete, but wanted to support his team, so attended in his hospital bed, a move that inspired the prince. 30 of 37 Joern Pollex/Getty On April 21, Jessica Garneau of Team Canada and Ronald van Dort of Team Netherlands compete in a wheelchair basketball game. 31 of 37 Chris Jackson/Getty Harry takes a selfie with Jacek Domaski of Team Poland following the April 20 indoor rowing event. 32 of 37 Peter Dejong/AP/Shutterstock Victoria Ross of Team United Kingdom gets emotional on April 22 after receiving her medal for wheelchair basketball. 33 of 37 Shutterstock Harry offers a hug to a medal-winning athlete on April 22 following a wheelchair basketball game. 34 of 37 Prince Harry. Aaron Chown/PA Images via Getty Prince Harry awards a medal to a Team USA player following the April 20 wheelchair rugby match against Team United Kingdom. 35 of 37 Prince Harry and King Willem-Alexander. Aaron Chown/PA Images/Getty King Willem-Alexander of the Netherlands joins Harry at the April 22 wheelchair basketball final. 36 of 37 Joern Pollex/Getty DI-RECT perform during the Invictus Games The Hague 2020 Closing Ceremony at Zuiderpark on April 22. 37 of 37 Chris Jackson/Getty Prince Harry cheers as two competitors share a kiss during the Invictus Games closing ceremony on April 22.