For his first major public appearance since returning to the United Kingdom, Prince Harry turned the spotlight on the Invictus community—service members, veterans, and those who support their recovery from injury and trauma.

The inaugural Invictus Spirit Gala Dinner & Awards took place on September 17 at the Old Royal Naval College in Greenwich. Hosted by the Invictus Games Foundation, the evening honored members and partners of the movement who are reshaping the way wounded service members and veterans are supported throughout their recovery.

Prince Harry appeared visibly delighted to be back. “It’s good to be on British soil again,” the Duke of Sussex told guests.

Since Prince Harry founded the Invictus Games in 2014, the international sporting event has helped wounded service members and veterans recover physically, regain confidence, and rebuild their lives. The gala raised nearly £1.7 million to support the foundation’s future programs.

One of the evening’s most meaningful moments was the recognition of Ukrainian honoree Oksana Horbach, who received the Invictus Movement Award for her contribution to adaptive sports in Ukraine. Since 2017, Horbach has helped create opportunities for Ukrainian service members and veterans to recover through sport, pursue new goals, and represent their country on the international stage.

In his speech, Prince Harry emphasized that the consequences of war remain an urgent reality—and that service members need support now. “Invictus has never been about what happened to you. It’s about what you choose to do next,” the Duke said.

The Invictus Spirit Awards placed personal stories of resilience, mutual support, and the possibility of beginning a new chapter after profound hardship at the heart of the evening. The next Invictus Games will take place in Birmingham in 2027.