
Chris Martin and Katy Perry motivate crowds at Invictus Games opening ceremony
Canadian singer Nelly Furtado and Quebec alt-pop star Roxane Bruneau also performed at BC Place in Vancouver as the seventh edition of the games began on Saturday.
The Duke and Duchess of Sussex watched the ceremony, cheering on the performers and competitors when they took to the stage.
For his opening number, Martin delivered a moving rendition of the Invictus Games anthem, which he created in 2014 using the lyrics of the Invictus poem by William Ernest Henley, while accompanied by the Universal Gospel Choir.
He then picked up his guitar to play and sing Coldplay's hit Higher Power alongside four backing singers.
Between the songs he thanked Harry for inviting him to perform, saying: 'I'd like to say thanks, of course, to Prince Harry.
'When he called me he said, 'I've called every other musician in the world, they all said they're not available so I have to call you'. And I said 'Your royal holiness, I'm honoured.'
'But thank you Harry for being such an inspiring leader and kind and sweet man, and I hope you have the most wonderful games of all. And it's a pleasure to be here.'
He finished his set by playing the band's 2008 classic Viva La Vida while the backing singers provided harmonies before he was joined again by the choir.
The singer was proceeded by a bagpipe player delivering a solo performance before a full bagpipe and drumming band performed.
Perry kicked off her performance with a rendition of her motivational hit Roar after Harry delivered his speech to the arena.
The US pop star then launched into a high-energy medley of her tracks Dark Horse, Part Of Me and Lifetimes while dressed in a futuristic, silver cut-out outfit.
She thanked the ceremony for having her and the service personnel and veterans for their service before closing with her megahit Firework alongside a full marching band, a dance troupe and large yellow dancing figures.
The ceremony also saw British Columbia-born Furtado perform a medley of her hits including I'm Like a Bird, Turn Off The Light and Say It Right.
The singer, dressed in a black jumpsuit, encouraged the crowd to sing along to the performance as a dance troupe joined her on stage.
US singer-songwriter Noah Kahan took to the stage to perform a rousing rendition of his song Northern Attitude alongside his band which got members of the crowd chanting along.
Kahan said it was an 'honour' to be at the games before he launched into his viral hit Stick Season.
The ceremony opened with a performance by members of the traditional territories as the Invictus Games are being held on the land of indigenous nations Lil'wat, Musqueam, Squamish and Tsleil-Waututh.
More than 500 competitors from 23 nations will take part in the games, which go on until Sunday February 16.
Harry, a former British Army captain, launched the Invictus Games in 2014 as an international sports tournament for injured service personnel and veterans.
The games aim to 'inspire recovery, support rehabilitation and generate a wider understanding and respect for those who have served their country', the Royal British Legion said.
The Invictus Games were held in London in 2014, in Orlando in 2016, Toronto in 2017, Sydney in 2018, The Hague in 2022 and Dusseldorf in 2023.
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