Prince Harry sends heartfelt message to Invictus Games ambassador Scott Meenagh as British veteran prepares for third Winter Paralympics

Prince Harry sent a touching message to British para athlete Scott Meenagh just as the 2026 Winter Paralympic season begins in Milan. The Duke of Sussex recorded a short video to cheer Meenagh on before he competes again on the Paralympic stage.

Scott Meenagh, a former British Army soldier and Invictus Games ambassador, is preparing to compete in cross-country skiing and biathlon. This will be his third time at the Paralympic Winter Games. The message from Prince Harry came on Saturday, March 7, and was shared on Instagram.In the video, Prince Harry praised Meenagh’s journey and reminded him how many people he inspires. “I just want to say a huge congratulations.

You’re carrying our flag … wow … wow, that is huge,” Prince Harry said.The Duke of Sussex also added, “Huge, huge respect, mate, congrats. I hope you’re really happy. I hope you can feel proud of where you’ve got to.”The message quickly caught attention because of the long connection between Prince Harry and the athletes of the Invictus Games.

Prince Harry praises Scott Meenagh’s journey from Invictus Games athlete to Paralympic competitor

Prince Harry has followed Scott Meenagh’s story for years. Meenagh first took part in the Invictus Games in 2014 after recovering from life-changing injuries while serving in Afghanistan.

He later returned to compete again in 2016 and 2017.In the video message, Prince Harry remembered one moment that still stands out to him. During the 2017 Invictus Games, Meenagh’s running blade broke in the middle of a race. Instead of stopping, he kept moving and finished the event.“Your running blade broke and you carried on, didn’t let it stop you. You finished the race, you crossed the finish line,” Prince Harry said.

“That was such a true example of your spirit and your determination.”He also praised how Meenagh kept pushing through his recovery after losing both legs in Afghanistan when he stepped on an improvised explosive device at age 21.“Throughout your recovery process, you have never faltered. You have pushed through on every single element. And look at where you are now,” Prince Harry said.The Duke ended his message with a reminder of the impact Meenagh has on others.

“Know that every single time you go out there and do what you do, you’re inspiring so many other people. So thank you for being you.”Scott Meenagh, now 36, recently appeared as Great Britain’s flag bearer at the opening ceremony of the Winter Paralympics alongside British alpine skier Menna Fitzpatrick.Before becoming a para athlete, Meenagh played competitive rugby in Scotland. After his injury, he later joined the Paralympic Inspiration Programme, where he discovered Para Nordic skiing, according to Paralympics.org.He later competed for Great Britain at a World Cup event in Finland and represented the country at the Beijing 2022 Winter Paralympics. There, he finished sixth in the 12.5 km Individual Biathlon race.Meenagh has said that this Paralympics will likely be his last. He plans to step away from professional sport so he can spend more time with his children.“My two kids are my number one supporters, but they’re at a really crucial stage in their life where … I want to be the dad that’s there, supporting them and putting their priorities at the front,” Meenagh said, according to Paralympics.org.He added, “As an athlete, you have to inherently be quite selfish and I don’t want my children to suffer as a result of my aspirations … I want to show them that dreams are worth chasing, no matter how big they are.”