New dad Harry pleased 'his child has made a lot of people happy'
Video report by ITV News Royal Editor Chris Ship
The Duke of Sussex has described his son Archie as giving him a new focus and goal as he wore a jacket declaring “I am daddy” on a visit to the Netherlands.
Harry spoke to former soldier Dennis van der Stroon, 31, as he took a break from paternity leave to visit The Hague for the one year countdown to the Invictus Games being held there.
Mr van der Stroon, who served in the army from 2006 to 2011, said: “Harry talked about how having a small child was his new focus and new goal and I told him how a couple of months ago, I was struggling with my mental health but my wife’s pregnancy has given me a goal.
“Above all he said he was just amazed by the miracles in the world, and how his child has made a lot of people happy.
“He also told me he’s really happy that his son is so far very quiet.”
Harry's "I am daddy" jacket featured a play on the games' "I Am Invictus" slogan, itself a reference to the final two lines of the poem Invictus, penned by English poet William Ernest Henley.
Following shouts of congratulations as he arrived, the new father was given an Invictus Games branded baby-grow and looked thrilled with the gift, holding it up for crowds to see after giving a speech to athletes and delegates.
Alongside the baby-grow Harry was given another present for his three-day-old son, Archie.
The duke unwrapped the gift, given to him by seven-year-old Daimy Gommers, whose father has previously competed in the Invictus Games and hopes to be selected for the 2020 games.
Harry's passion for the Invictus Games is well known. As a former serviceman himself, Harry has been the driving force behind the Games which are for wounded, injured and ill servicemen and women.
He has overseen four iterations so far -the most recent in Australia last year - and the next is planned for 2020 in Holland.
Speaking to competitors set to take part in the games, the prince praised the resilience of athletes competing for their countries.
He reiterated his message of sport being a powerful tool to supporting mental and physical well-being, telling athletes: "Our mental fitness is the key, because without it we fail to operate efficiently; but with it your physical performance and potential are exponentially improved and we have witnessed this over and over again."
He cut short his trip to the Hague last week as the arrival of his and Meghan's first child loomed. is well known. As a former serviceman himself, Harry has been the driving force behind the Games which are for wounded, injured and ill servicemen and women.
More than 500 competitors from 19 nations will compete in the games, ending on the 16 May 2020.
As Patron of the Invictus Games Foundation, The Duke will take the opportunity to learn about the preparations already underway, spend time meeting potential competitors and their families.