Prince Harry (37) and his wife Duchess Meghan (41) visited Düsseldorf this Tuesday. The Invictus Games, the Paralympic sporting event initiated by Prince Harry, will take place there in 2023. After the couple had signed the golden book in the town hall, an appointment followed in the Merkur Spiel-Arena.

The Duke of Sussex said in a speech he was drawn to the city's "vibrant atmosphere", the BBC reports. He also described Düsseldorf as "brilliant and full of great people". From what he's witnessed today, "I have a good idea of ​​how we're going to bring the motto of these games - a home for respect - to life." Harry continued: "Showing respect and appreciation is just as important as experiencing respect and appreciation, in my opinion. That's the spirit we're bringing to Düsseldorf."

In the Düsseldorf town hall, the 37-year-old already expressed his anticipation of the event in a speech that he began with a few words of welcome in German: "I can hardly wait to hear the cheers of enthusiasm from the crowd, the adrenaline in the competition feel and join in the laughter or even shed happy tears as we witness lives being changed right before our eyes."

In addition, according to "RTL.de", the prince was joking: "I heard the beer here is better than in Cologne. Is that true?" He asked those present. "We have to find out. What better reason than this hot day," he added. According to an Instagram post, the Sussexes then met athletes, their families and volunteers who will support the Invictus Games in the stadium.

Harry and Meghan, who moved to the USA in 2020, have a tight schedule on their short trip to Europe: After their visit to Düsseldorf, they travel back to the United Kingdom: the WellChild Awards will take place in London on Thursday. It is the first time the couple has visited the royal home since Queen Elizabeth II's (96) platinum jubilee celebrations in June.