In loving memory of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II

Today we honour the passing of Her Majesty The Queen as she is laid to rest. Her duty and service have long set an example for the world and the international Invictus Community is deeply saddened by the news.

As Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces, Her Majesty the Queen was a long-standing advocate of the Invictus Games, established by her grandson Prince Harry, The Duke of Sussex.

At the Invictus Games London 2014, Her Majesty sent “heartfelt congratulations to the men and women of the Armed Forces who have overcome great adversity just to take part in these Games” adding that “the success of these Games can be measured not by medals won, but by the renewed sense of purpose and confidence in your abilities that you have gained.”

Many will also remember Her Majesty later joining The Duke of Sussex in a video message to President Obama and former First Lady Michelle Obama, to mark the Invictus Games Orlando 2016 in support of international wounded, injured and sick Service personnel and veterans.

We received many comments and messages from members of the Invictus community, which are shared below:

From Brigadier General Alfred Marstaller, Project leader for the Invictus Games Düsseldorf 2023, “Duty, dedication and service marked the life of Her Majesty, Queen Elizabeth II. A life that demands our greatest respect and thus embodies the values we aim to stand for.

The Invictus Games Düsseldorf 2023 mourn the passing of Her Majesty, Queen Elizabeth II. We send our deepest condolences to the Royal Family, the people of the Commonwealth and the people around the world, mourning her loss.”

From members of Team Australia, “This sad news and collective grief is being felt around the world with the passing of Her Majesty, The Queen. She truly was a magnificent and inspirational Queen, leader, daughter, wife, mother, grandmother and great-grandmother. Words can’t do justice to her reign or exceptional life, nor convey how much she will be missed, but please know we share in the grief you are all feeling and sincerely mourn her loss also.“

From Michael Hartung, at Invictus Australia, “We are all greatly saddened by the passing of HRH Queen Elizabeth II and extend our deepest condolences to her family at this difficult time. What an incredible life of selfless service and enduring commitment. She has been an inspiration to millions around the world. May she Rest In Peace”.

From Colonel Pasquale Barriera, Team Manager Italy, “All the members of the Italian Invictus Community and I were deeply saddened by the passing of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II. Her sense of duty and service to the Nation is an extraordinary example for the World as a whole. Her determination and tenacity, an inspiration for the entire Invictus Games Community.

It is precisely within this Community that The Duke of Sussex repeatedly offered his support and consideration to the Italian Veterans. It is among them that the determination and the indomitable spirit of the late Queen will live on. I am confident she will continue to be an inspiration to all those who struggle with difficulty in life and can find within themselves the required strength and resolve to overcome obstacles. On behalf of the Italian Team, let me express my most heartfelt feelings of sympathy to HM the King, the Prince of Wales, The Duke of Sussex, the Royal Family, and the British people.

From Team Netherlands, COLRNLMC Stefan Nommensen and Edwin de Wolf said, “We were very saddened to learn of the death of her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II. We know that her loss will be deeply felt throughout the country and the Invictus Games Foundation, who are so acquainted to the Royal family, in particular. On behalf of the staff of Team NL we would like to express our thoughts, sympathies and deepest heartfelt condolences. Our hearts go out to her Majesty the Queen, the Royal family and friends at this difficult time, as well as the IGF, service men and women who we know will feel this loss keenly. She embodied the spirit of the British armed forces, reigning with distinction and rigour for over 70 years. We will honor her and all those closest to her.”

From members of Team New Zealand, “We would like to pass on our condolences to you all, and most certainly to our Patron and his family. “Kua hinga te tōtara I te Waonui a Tāne” The tōtara tree has fallen in Tane’s great forest. The whakatauki (māori proverb) talks of the loss of one of our large native tree’s dying, in this situation it depicts the loss of someone held in very high esteem.”

From Team Romania, “We stand with the British people and the royal family in these difficult moments, in which Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II of Great Britain and Northern Ireland has passed to the eternal ones. Our condolences to the British Royal Family! God rest her soul in peace!”

From Team Ukraine, “The Invictus community in Ukraine is sad and grieved following the passing of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II, as the magnitude of Her Majesty’s personality touched millions if not billions of souls on the Earth.”

Our collective thoughts are with Her Majesty’s family at this time.