Cheering and waving from the stands, the Duke and Duchess of Sussex enjoyed a game of wheelchair basketball at the Invictus Games in Germany.

The pair appeared in high spirits as they entered the Merkur Spiel-Arena in Dusseldorf, and fully immersed themselves in crowd camaraderie among Australian fans as they watched the match.

The pair walked into the arena hand-in-hand, and presented medals to children after the match.

Meghan, 42, arrived at the games on Tuesday, where she appeared on stage and made an impromptu speech, describing the tournament for injured servicepeople as an “amazing event”.

Joking that she arrived late to the event – which started on Sunday – she said she had to look after the couple’s two children in California before catching a flight to join her husband.

“It’s so special to be here and I’m sorry I’m a little late for the party,” she said.

“I had to spend a little more time getting our little ones settled at home and get them to drop off.

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“Three milkshakes and a school drop-off and I just landed a couple of hours ago, and I am thrilled that the first event I can do for Invictus is here with all of you.

“It’s amazing and I hear it has got off to a good start so far.”

The reception for Prince Harry at the sixth year of the games was also extremely warm.

Stepping on to the stage to a standing ovation, he spoke in German and made a joke or two, to an audience that loved it.

On Monday, the prince was pictured warmly embracing a wheelchair rugby player by kissing him on the head.

He watched matches in an eight-team wheelchair rugby knockout tournament, then presented medals and spoke to players after the US defeated the United Kingdom 21-13 in the final.

He also paid a personal tribute to Yuliia “Taira” Paievska, a Ukrainian army medic who was captured and tortured by the Russians and is currently competing in Dusseldorf.

“I think I speak for everyone when I say I think you embody the true spirit of Ukraine and of Invictus,” he said.

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Prince Harry’s attendance at the games comes after a brief visit to the UK, where he attended the WellChild Awards and visited St George’s Chapel in Windsor on the anniversary of the death of Queen Elizabeth II.

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