PRINCE Harry revealed his son Archie’s adorable ambitions tonight as he gave an impassioned speech at the opening ceremony of the Invictus Games.
The Duke of Sussex said he has already started discussing what Archie, two, wants to be when he grows up – and he may well follow in his dad’s footsteps.
Addressing the packed-out stadium in The Hague, Netherlands, Harry said Archie wants to be an astronaut “or Kwazii from Octonauts” cartoon – a daredevil cat with a pirate past.
He said the tot has also shown interest in becoming a pilot – going on to joke that he “obviously” means a helicopter pilot.
The proud dad, who served in Afghanistan as an Apache helicopter co-pilot gunner between 2012 and 2013, chuckled as he spoke to the crowd, which included former and serving military personnel taking part in the games.
But he said: “To be role models, or the role models, that each of you are takes strength and it takes courage.
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“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.
“If you’re laughing then you’ve seen that.”
He added: “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.”
Harry said those involved with Invictus have “overcome immense challenges”, adding: “And together you are healing and teaching the world as you go.”
The duke always dreamed of a life in the Army, and as a child his bedroom was filled with pictures of tanks and helicopters.
In 1993, as an eight-year-old, he was in his element when dressed in a miniature combat suit and helmet to ride in a tank on a visit to Germany.
He joined the Royal Military Academy Sandhurst in 2005, and trained as an Army officer, then joined the Blues and Royals and went on to train to become a troop leader of an armoured reconnaissance unit.
A planned tour to Iraq was scrapped after it was found he would be a target for insurgents, but two tours to Afghanistan followed including one as an Apache helicopter pilot.
Meghan introduced Harry on stage tonight, addressing more than 500 competitors from 20 nations and their families.
She told competitors: “Now it is my distinguished honour to introduce someone that I think you will all be very excited to hear from.
“He has also spent many late nights and early mornings planning for these games to make them as perfect as possible for each of you.
“I could not love and respect him more and I know that all of you feel the same because he is your fellow veteran, having served two tours of duty in Afghanistan and ten years of military service.”
She went on to add “he’s the founder of the Invictus Games, and the father to our two little ones, Archie and Lili”.
“Please welcome my incredible husband, Prince Harry, the Duke of Sussex.”
Harry tenderly touched Meghan’s arm before he gave a rallying speech in the temporary indoor stadium built especially for the games.
The duke said, “thank you, my love,” before paying tribute to the “boundless humility, the compassion and the friendship” of the Invictus Games.
He went on to thank “the Dutch government, the Ministry of Defence and the Dutch royal family for their support”, before hailing Team Ukraine’s bravery in choosing to attend the games.
The 2022 Invictus Games will run from April 16 to April 22.
