Chris Martin and Katy Perry motivate crowds at Invictus Games opening ceremony

Coldplay frontman Chris Martin and Katy Perry were among the musicians who helped motorboat the Invictus Games successful Canada by entertaining the crowds astatine the opening ceremony.

Canadian vocalist Nelly Furtado and Quebec alt-pop prima Roxane Bruneau besides performed astatine BC Place successful Vancouver arsenic the seventh variation of the games began connected Saturday.

The Duke and Duchess of Sussex watched the ceremony, cheering connected the performers and competitors erstwhile they took to the stage.

For his opening number, Martin delivered a moving rendition of the Invictus Games anthem, which helium created successful 2014 utilizing the lyrics of the Invictus poem by William Ernest Henley, portion accompanied by the Universal Gospel Choir.

He past picked up his guitar to play and sing Coldplay’s deed Higher Power alongside 4 backing singers.

Between the songs helium thanked Harry for inviting him to perform, saying: “I’d similar to accidental thanks, of course, to Prince Harry.

“When helium called maine helium said, ‘I’ve called each different instrumentalist successful the world, they each said they’re not disposable truthful I person to telephone you’. And I said ‘Your royal holiness, I’m honoured.’

“But convey you Harry for being specified an inspiring person and benignant and saccharine man, and I anticipation you person the astir fantastic games of all. And it’s a pleasance to beryllium here.”

He finished his acceptable by playing the band’s 2008 classical Viva La Vida portion the backing singers provided harmonies earlier helium was joined again by the choir.

The vocalist was proceeded by a bagpipe subordinate delivering a solo show earlier a afloat bagpipe and drumming set performed.

Perry kicked disconnected her show with a rendition of her motivational deed Roar aft Harry delivered his code to the arena.

The US popular prima past launched into a high-energy medley of her tracks Dark Horse, Part Of Me and Lifetimes portion dressed successful a futuristic, metallic cut-out outfit.

She thanked the ceremonial for having her and the work unit and veterans for their work earlier closing with her megahit Firework alongside a afloat marching band, a creation troupe and ample yellowish dancing figures.

The ceremonial besides saw British Columbia-born Furtado execute a medley of her hits including I’m Like a Bird, Turn Off The Light and Say It Right.

The singer, dressed successful a achromatic jumpsuit, encouraged the assemblage to sing on to the show arsenic a creation troupe joined her connected stage.

US singer-songwriter Noah Kahan took to the signifier to execute a rousing rendition of his opus Northern Attitude alongside his set which got members of the assemblage chanting along.

Kahan said it was an “honour” to beryllium astatine the games earlier helium launched into his viral deed Stick Season.

The ceremonial opened with a show by members of the accepted territories arsenic the Invictus Games are being held connected the onshore of indigenous nations Lil’wat, Musqueam, Squamish and Tsleil-Waututh.

More than 500 competitors from 23 nations volition instrumentality portion successful the games, which spell connected until Sunday February 16.

Harry, a erstwhile British Army captain, launched the Invictus Games successful 2014 arsenic an planetary sports tourney for injured work unit and veterans.

The games purpose to “inspire recovery, enactment rehabilitation and make a wider knowing and respect for those who person served their country”, the Royal British Legion said.

The Invictus Games were held successful London successful 2014, successful Orlando successful 2016, Toronto successful 2017, Sydney successful 2018, The Hague successful 2022 and Dusseldorf successful 2023.