Invictus hopeful invited to Royal Wedding

A former Royal Marine from Plymouth, who lost both his legs and an arm in Afghanistan has a double celebration.

Mark Ormrod - who served with 40 Commando based in Taunton - has not only been selected to compete in this year's Invictus Games in Sydney but also has been invited to the wedding of Prince Harry and Meghan Markle on Saturday 19 May.

  • What advice did Mark Ormrod have for the happy couple?

Mark Ormrod first met Prince Harry at Headley Court in 2008 where he spent nine weeks recovering after stepping on a mine during a routine patrol in 2007.

Mark Ormrod (right) first met Prince Harry at Headley Court while recovering from triple amputation. Credit: PA

The two were reunited at the Prince's Invictus Games in Toronto in 2017 where Mark won four medals and a special award for exceptional performance. The Invictus Games is the only international adaptive sporting event for injured active duty and veteran service members.

Mark competed in indoor rowing for which he won two silver medals, and swimming which earned him two bronze medals.

The former marine said he was unsure that he would be selected for this year's Invictus Games in Sydney.

Prince Harry introduces his bride-to-be Meghan Markle to Mark Ormrod at the Invictus trials in Bath. Credit: PA

Mark took part in the Invictus trials in Bath in April 2018 and it was there that he not only met up with Prince Harry again but the royal also introduced him to his bride-to-be Meghan Markle. An invitation to their wedding is the icing on the cake for their relationship.

It probably came as a relief for Mark Ormrod to discover that he has been selected to compete in swimming, rowing and - in a new departure - shot put and discus at the Invictus Games in Australia in October.

Training is already away but he'll have to set it aside when he heads for Windsor this weekend.