Heartbreak for Prince Harry as Invictus Games member dies in Ukraine conflict

Prince Harry has suffered the loss of Serhii Karaivan, a former Invictus Games Foundation member who died fighting for his country amid the conflict in Ukraine. 

• Serhii Karaivan died in Sunday fighting for Ukraine amid the Russian invasion of the country, the Invictus Games Foundation has confirmed in a statement.
• His death will be particularly sad for Prince Harry who founded the Invictus Games to support the rehabilitation and recovery of injured military service men and women.
• This royal news comes after Kate Middleton gave a subtle nod to Ukraine when she stepped out at the Commonwealth Day service.

The Invictus Games Foundation took to social media to share a statement confirming the tragic loss of Serhii Karaivan, adding that memories of him will "bring joy and happiness" to those that knew him. 

"It is with regret that the Invictus Games Foundation can report that a member of the Ukrainian Invictus Games community has been confirmed as a fatality of the Russian invasion of Ukraine. 

"Serhii Karaivan, a former trialist for the Invictus Games and Warrior Games for Team Ukraine, lost his life in fighting on the 13th March, 2022, and our thoughts go out to his family, friends, and the wider community," the touching tribute reads. 

"When we win, we will celebrate his life, talk about him, and his sense of humour, professionalism, patriotism and sports endeavours. And we will hug and cry and laugh because the memories of him bring joy and happiness. Please do not think of him as a martyr, he would not like it. 

"Think of him as a celebrated Invictus Games community member, hero and defender of Ukrainian people," Oksana Horbach, the Ukrainian Invictus Games team manager, added.

Prince Harry is set to attend the Invictus Games in the Hague in the Netherlands next month, confirming that he is set to make the trip from California to be at the special event in person. 

A sweet video shared online showed Harry in an all-orange outfit, practising his Dutch speaking skills with fellow members of the organization, ahead of his April appearance at the games. 

Speaking from his LA home, Harry can be heard asking, "One more time guys, please. You know I need to get this right, and I really want to get it right as well. So how do I say, 'Good afternoon. You've done a great job,' in Dutch?"

"Thank you, see you soon in The Hague," he adds at the end of the sweet clip.