The Invictus flag is flying high above the Sydney Harbour Bridge, heralding the imminent start of the games for war veterans championed by one of their own, Prince Harry.
The Duke of Sussex, who served as an officer in the British Army for a decade, climbed the bridge to raise the black, yellow and white Invictus standard in place of the NSW flag for the fourth games which open in Sydney on Saturday night.
Harry was accompanied by Prime Minister Scott Morrison and Australian Invictus competitors Luke Hill, Ruth Hunt and Peter Rudland .
Games ambassador Gwen Cherne whose husband, veteran Peter Cafe, took his own life last February, was also on the climb on a picture-perfect Sydney afternoon.
With a helicopter buzzing overhead, the prince looked cheerful and happy to be bringing the focus of his visit to Australia back to the games, which feature 500 competitors from 18 nations.
Harry and Meghan started their royal visit to Australia on Tuesday, with engagements at Taronga Zoo, Dubbo, Melbourne and Bondi beach dominating their agenda.
But now they will devote their attention to the Invictus games for several days and spend time with a number of the competitors' supporters as they cheer them on from the sidelines.
Harry, who served two tours of Afghanistan, was inspired to set up the Invictus Games after visiting the US Warrior Games in Colorado in 2013.
He saw there the positive impact sport was having on the recovery and rehabilitation of wounded servicemen and women.
The Sydney games will emphasise the integral role played by servicemen and women's family and friends.
The royal couple will spend four days out of Sydney on other engagements, including a quick side-trip to Tonga and Fiji, before returning at the end of next week for the closing.
But there will be plenty of support for the athletes, with big names including Ian Thorpe and David and Victoria Beckham expected to make appearances.
The first event will take place on Cockatoo Island on the harbour on Saturday, followed by the opening ceremony at the Opera House later that night.
During the week, more than 500 competitors from 18 nations will compete in 11 adaptive sports, including archery, athletics, indoor rowing, powerlifting, road cycling, sailing, sitting volleyball, swimming, wheelchair basketball and rugby.
Australian Associated Press
