Surprise Appearance by Prince Harry and Meghan Markle at Vancouver Canucks Match

Prince Harry and Meghan Markle surprised attendees at a Vancouver Canucks game, where Harry, 39, took center stage by participating in the ceremonial first puck drop. The royal couple, aged 42, enjoyed the game between the Canucks and the San Jose Sharks at Rogers Arena in Vancouver, Canada, on Monday, November 20.

Sharks captain Tomáš Hertl shared an amusing anecdote about the puck drop, revealing, “I actually had to tell him [to drop the puck] because he kept holding [it] and smiling. I said, ‘It’s time to drop it.’ It was a cool moment, for sure, I will remember that one.”

Even Canucks head coach Rick Tocchet got in on the interaction, exchanging a fist bump with Harry off the ice. Tocchet, 59, admitted, “I don’t know if you’re allowed to do that. I did it, he did it. He kind of looked at me, but he did it.”

Interestingly, this event echoed history, as more than two decades ago, Harry’s late grandmother, Queen Elizabeth II, performed the same ceremonial puck drop at a Canucks game in 2002 during her Golden Jubilee tour of Canada. The late monarch, who passed away at age 96 in September 2022, also witnessed a Canucks versus Sharks match.

The royal couple's presence in Canada is connected to the Invictus Games, an initiative Harry founded in 2014 for wounded, injured, and sick service personnel and veterans. The upcoming 2025 edition of the tournament, hosted in Vancouver and Whistler, will mark the first time the Invictus Games incorporate winter adaptive sports like alpine skiing and wheelchair curling.

Addressing recent developments, an insider revealed that the Sussexes are feeling “more refreshed than ever” after a challenging year. The source explained, “They got their bearings back and are focused and recharged and ready to get back out there again,” emphasizing the positive outcome of their decision to keep a low profile.

The couple, parents to Archie, 4, and Lilibet, 2, has been actively pursuing opportunities in the entertainment industry since stepping down as senior working royals in 2020. Despite a setback earlier this year, where their company Archewell Audio confirmed that Meghan’s “Archetypes” podcast wouldn't return for a second season on Spotify, the couple remains resilient.

In October, the couple faced satire when an episode of Family Guy mocked their business deals. Despite finding it less than “nice,” the insider noted that Harry and Meghan are learning to embrace a lighter perspective, showcasing their ability to adapt to the public spotlight with grace and resilience.