Prince Harry tells of guilt at leaving battle as he launches Sydney's Invictus Games

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Prince Harry tells of guilt at leaving battle as he launches Sydney's Invictus Games

By Jenna Clarke
Updated

Prince Harry, or as he's known to avid royalists, Prince Henry of Wales, has always been a little bit different to his regal relations.

Most notably when he put the press on notice last year to respect his girlfriend, Suits actress Meghan Markle, and in Sydney on Wednesday he continued to break The Firm's traditional creed of "Never complain, never explain".

Back in Australia, his second official visit down under in two years, Harry was in town to officially launch the upcoming 2018 Invictus Games that will take place in Sydney next October.

In front of a crowd of his armed forces comrades and Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull, the fifth in line to the throne took the opportunity to speak of the guilt he was made to feel after New Idea published a time-sensitive story that forced him to withdraw from the frontline in Afghanistan.

Prince Harry launched the 500-day countdown to the Invictus Games - a sports competition for 500 wounded former and serving defence personnel from 17 nations that will be held in the harbour city in October next year.

Prince Harry launched the 500-day countdown to the Invictus Games - a sports competition for 500 wounded former and serving defence personnel from 17 nations that will be held in the harbour city in October next year.Credit: Louise Kennerley

The Australian publication was widely condemned in 2008 for leaking details of his secret tour online.

"In February 2008 I was forced to leave Afghanistan. I'd been serving as an army officer with the British Amy until my presence was leaked out into the press," the former Captain Wales said.

"I could no longer stay with my soldiers as it would have put them at greater risk. It was a decision over which I had no control, but the guilt of having to leave my guys behind was something I felt hard to swallow as anyone who has served would understand.

"It was that flight home from Afghanistan that put me on the path to create the Invictus Games."

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Prince Harry hugs 97-year-old Daphne Dunne during a walkabout in the torrential rain ahead of a Sydney 2018 Invictus Games Launch Event at the Overseas Passenger Terminal.

Prince Harry hugs 97-year-old Daphne Dunne during a walkabout in the torrential rain ahead of a Sydney 2018 Invictus Games Launch Event at the Overseas Passenger Terminal.Credit: Chris Jackson

The prince added that he was inspired to create a legacy to honour the sacrifice and courage shown by those in the military while he was watching the coffin of a Danish soldier, along with three British soldiers in induced comas and wrapped in plastic, being loaded onto the plane on which he was sent home.

During the launch at Admiralty House in Kirribilli, Prime Minister Turnbull said Australia's servicemen and women, veterans and the nation's Invictus Games squad members were "unconquered" and "unconquerable".

Victoria McCrae, Sydney's self-professed "royal tragic", was out in support of Prince Harry on Wednesday.

Victoria McCrae, Sydney's self-professed "royal tragic", was out in support of Prince Harry on Wednesday.Credit: Louise Kennerley

"It is, as Prince Harry said ... an opportunity to use the healing power of sport to help them rebuild their lives," Turnbull said.

Governor-General Sir Peter Cosgrove also introduced the event's first canine mascot, an ex-military working dog named Victory who served in Timor Leste before being awarded the most coveted War Dog Operational medal.

Harry then headed for the water to view a sailing exhibition out on Sydney Harbour, a new sport that will be added to the Invictus program in 2018.

Despite a mild tempest bringing thunder, lightning and sideways rain, hundreds of fans gathered with NSW Premier Gladys Berejiklian at the Overseas Passenger Terminal to greet Harry as he stepped onshore dressed in jeans and blue suede Adidas sneakers.

Victoria McCrae, Sydney's self-described "royal tragic", who has previously proposed to the prince three times and was photographed attempting to steal a steal a kiss from the prince during his 2015 visit, was front and centre at Circular Quay.

"He didn't recognise me," the 23-year-old said as water dripped from her novelty crown and drenched Union Jack, "But the offer still stands for him to marry me," she said.

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Harry will resume his Invictus Games publicity tour on Thursday when he takes in the facilities at Sydney Olympic Park, which, 499 days from now, 500 athletes from 17 nations will put to good use.

"It's game on, down under," the prince laughed. "Just make sure the weather is better will you?"

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