Let the games begin! 'Privileged' Prince Harry gives emotional speech about helping his 'military family' as he opens Invictus Games in Orlando with Michelle Obama and George W Bush 

Prince Harry gave an emotional speech about the sacrifices soldiers make on the battlefield and spoke of his own harrowing experiences of war as he opened the Invictus Games in Orlando last night. 

Harry said war had made him realize just how 'privileged' he is to be a prince - and that his service in Afghanistan inspired him to set up the competition to help his 'military family'. 

'I learned about the importance of teamwork and camaraderie in a way that only military service can teach you,' Harry said, speaking from his heart.

Support: First Lady Michelle Obama has been an advocate for the Invictus Games and was welcomed on to the stage by Prince Harry 

Friends: Prince Harry kissed First Lady Michelle Obama during the opening ceremony as she walked out to speak to the crowd

 Michelle and Harry embrace at the opening ceremony of the Invictus Games, which is being held in Florida over the next four days 

Harry and Michelle were seen applauding as veterans representing each of the 15 teams marched into the arena carrying their nations' flags, with both of them giving speeches later in the ceremony

Prince Harry and Michelle Obama posed for pictures with the children of servicemen after meeting their brave mothers and fathers

'And when I traveled back from the battlefield on a plane carrying the body of a Danish soldier and three young Brits fighting for their lives, I began to understand the true cost of war.

'When I joined the Army I just wanted to be one of the guys. What I learned through serving were the extreme privileges of being a prince and the opportunity I have to help my military family'.  

Prince Harry was joined by First Lady Michelle Obama, former President George W Bush and a host of celebrities as the games officially got underway.

All three - including Bush, who was president when a number of those taking part in the games served in Iraq and Afghanistan - paid tribute to the veterans in touching speeches. 

Also at the ceremony was Morgan Freeman, as well as singer James Blunt and soprano Laura Wright, who both had the crowd on their feet with stunning performances. 

Former President George W Bush thanked veterans, including Israel del Toro who was badly burned on the battlefield, for their service

The family of Israel del Toro, including his wife and son were welcomed on to the stage by the former president George W. Bush 

The Prince then took to the stage, telling the gathered veterans, their families and supporters that he felt like he was at home among so many familiar faces. 

'I spent 10 years in the British Army and I was deployed to Afghanistan twice,' he said. 'I served along soldiers from all over the world. I saw the sacrifices you and your families made to serve your nations.'

He added: 'That's why I had to create the Invictus Games, to create a platform for all those who served. 

'Their stories are as amazing as they are unique. They focus on what can be achieved, rather than what can't. 

The US Silent Drill Platoon delighted the crowds during the opening ceremony of the Invictus Games with a display of their weapons 

Pomp and ceremony: The U.S. Army Old Guard Fife and Drum Corps perform during the opening ceremony for the Invictus Games

During the opening ceremony, the flags of the 14 countries taking part in the Games were brought into the arena with the British and American flags taking center stage 

Game on! A huge burst of fireworks filled the sky above the ESPN Wide World of Sports in Orlando, Florida, at the end of the ceremony

All of the athletes and their families crammed into the arena for the opening ceremony and the parade of the flags in Kissimmee, Florida 

In the audience: Prince Harry, Morgan Freeman and Michelle Obama sat to watch the performances before taking to the stage themselves

Harry saw the funny side of one of the speeches, laughing as the First Lady clapped during the opening ceremony in Orlando

'Over the next four days you will see things that in years past would not have been possible. You will be inspired, you will be moved and you will be entertained.'

The Prince also continued his campaign to raise awareness of 'invisible injuries' such as post-traumatic stress and depression, which are often suffered by soldiers after returning from war.

'It is not just physical injuries that our Invictus competitors have overcome. Every single one of them has faced mental challenges,' he said.

'Let's cheer for the woman who fought through post-traumatic stress and lets celebrate the soldier who was brave enough to get help with his depression.

Prince Harry gave an emotional speech about the sacrifices soldiers make on the battlefield and spoke of his own harrowing experiences of war as he opened the Invictus Games in Orlando last night

Harry said war had made him realize just how 'privileged' he is to be a prince - and that his service in Afghanistan inspired him to set up the competition to help his 'military family'

Mrs Obama took to the stage, telling the veterans that she was inspired by their 'courage and love' for their country and said she wanted to honor them all 

The prince poses for a picture with the children of some of the competitors taking part in the second Invictus Games in Florida 

Prince Harry is the creator, patron and president of the Invictus Games, which held its inaugural event in London in 2014 

'Over the next four days you will get to know these amazing competitors. They weren't too tough to admit they struggled with mental health.'

Addressing the veterans, Harry said: 'You are fierce competitors. You are role models that any parent would be proud to have their children follow. 

'You've made me a better person and you're about to inspire the world. And I'm proud to call you my friends.' 

The First Lady took to the stage next, telling the veterans that she was inspired by their 'courage and love' for their country.

'I want to honor all of you - extraordinary service members, veterans & military families,' she said.

'I'm inspired by the wounded warriors and caregivers who show such strength and resilience,' she added. 

Prince Harry and Morgan Freeman shook hands as the Shawshank Redemption actor arrived at the Invictus Games opening ceremony

Invictus: Morgan Freeman hosted the ceremony and introduced veterans to the stage as they spoke about their recoveries

The Oscar winner wore the official Invictus pin badge as he spoke at the opening ceremony of the games in Florida 

Former British soldier James Blunt (left) and soprano Laura Wright (right) both had the crowd on their feet with stellar performances 

James Blunt plays at the opening ceremony. The singer was formerly a captain in the British army and served in the conflict in Kosovo 

Competition: The flags of the 14 countries taking part in the games were brought into the arena followed by the 500 competitors 

Wounded warriors: The U.S. Invictus Games team walked out into the arena, proudly carrying the Star Spangled Banner

Heroes: They were preceded by the United Kingdom team, some of whom know Prince Harry personally through his charity work

The British athletes cheer as they walk into the arena for the opening of the Invictus Games in Orlando, Florida last night 

The Australian team waved to the crowd in Orlando as they marched into the arena carrying their flag

The Danish Invictus Games team enter the arena. Prince Harry spoke about being on a flight home with a dead Danish soldier 

The Prince was in the crowd as the Invictus Flag was brought to the stage by helicopter after being flown to Orlando from the White House.

Veteran Staff Sergeant August O'Neill and a service dog dropped down from the chopper with the flag inside a backpack before walking it to the flagpost. 

The ceremony began with an opening fanfare by the US Army Herald Trumpets on the roof of the stadium and a rendition of the national anthem by the US Army Band. 

It was followed by a flyover by four Strike Fighter Squadron 34 (VFA-34) jets known as the Blue Blasters. 

Prince Harry and Mrs Obama were seen applauding as veterans representing each of the 15 teams marched into the arena carrying their nations' flags.

In a program handed out to spectators watching the ceremony, Prince Harry said: 'Thank you for supporting these servicemen and women, veterans and their families.

'The Invictus Games harnesses the power of sport to support rehabilitation, inspire recovery, and ultimately to enable those taking part to move beyond their illness or injury.

'Enjoy this exceptional opening ceremony, designed as a tribute to these remarkable men and women.

'The next four days will be a fantastic showcase of competition, camaraderie and the very best of the human spirit.' 

The games - which celebrate the achievements of wounded and disabled former Armed Forces veterans - are expected to be much larger than 2014's inaugural competition. 

The Paralympic-style event will see 500 competitors from 14 nations taking part in a spectacular Parade Of Nations as the centerpiece of the ceremony in Orlando, Florida. 

The four-day games will include eight different sports, as well as track and field. 

Prince Harry came up with the idea for the games after serving in the Armed Forces himself and wanting servicemen and women to be remembered after the end of the war in Afghanistan. 

Earlier on Friday, the Prince and former President George W Bush called to end the stigma for veterans who suffer from mental health issues ahead of the Invictus Games on Sunday.

Both men shook hands and took part in a panel during a day-long symposium on invisible wounds, opened by the former president's wife, Laura Bush, in Orlando.

Harry, 31, said it was important for veterans who struggle to be able to talk freely and urged employers to give them jobs.

Bush, 69, suggested dropping the last letter from 'PTSD', Us Weekly reported, and viewing post-traumatic stress as an injury instead of a disorder. 

Prince Harry said the 2014 edition of the tournament 'smashed the stigma around physical wounds'.

'What I really hope for Orlando is that we can do the same for invisible injuries.

'I've spoken to everybody who has severe PTSD to minor depression, anxiety - whatever it might be.

'Everybody says the same thing, if you can deal with it soon enough, if you can deal with it quick enough, and have the ability and the platform to speak about it openly, then you can fix these problems.'

Morgan Freeman and Michelle Obama embrace during the opening ceremony of the Invictus Games 2016 in Orlando, Florida

Political differences were set aside as former President Bush chatted with the First Lady Michelle Obama at the opening ceremony

He added: 'And if you can't fix it, you can at least find coping mechanisms - that's what it's all about, there's no reason people should be hiding in shame after they've served their country.'

The prince said it was a misnomer that returning military who had seen combat were a 'ticking time bomb' and he called on the business community to employ those who had served because of the skills they offered.

Harry added: 'If I ran a business I would want individuals like this regardless of their situation - I'd want them for what they stand for, for the training that they've had, for the values that they stand up for.' 

First Lady Michelle Obama, who was sat next to Prince Harry at the ceremony, tweeted this picture from the arena

There was a flyover of four Strike Fighter Squadron 34 (VFA-34) jets known as the Blue Blasters as the opening ceremony began

To signal the start of the games, a flyover was performed by the US Air Force as the sun began to set on the opening ceremony arena

The Invictus Flag was brought to the stage by helicopter after being personally flown to Orlando from the White House by Mrs Obama

Veteran Staff Sergeant August O'Neill and service dog Kai dropped down from the chopper with the flag inside a backpack before walking it to the flagpost

After delivering the flag to the flagpost, service dog Kai waited patiently at the feet of Staff Sergeant O'Neill during the opening ceremony 

Harry has spoken about his hopes for the 'amazing' tournament and acknowledged the pressure of maintaining the event's legacy. 

The Prince said: 'It's going to be amazing, the atmosphere is going to be incredible.

'There's still a few more tickets to sell but we're just inviting people to come down and enjoy what's going to happen, it's going to be fantastic.

'Speaking to all the competitors, they're very happy, the food's great - which is what they care about - the accommodation is excellent. Once they're over the jet-lag they just want to get going.' 

During the build-up to the games, the Queen starred alongside Prince Harry in a hilarious promotional video following a 'threat' by the Obamas about the Americans winning.

Michelle and Barack Obama tweeted a short video reminding Prince Harry he had told the American athletes to 'bring it' to the competition.

Earlier in the day, the heats for some of the athletics competitions at the games started with competitors taking to the track and field 

Two members of the British team give it their all in the heats for the discus, with one competitor getting into the American spirit by wearing a cowboy hat, left

A member of the British Invictus Games team throws the shot put as far as he can to get a place in the finals later this week 

The Invictus Games is for both male and female competitors who have suffered injury or sickness through being serving military personnel 

A British and American athlete battle to win the heats in the 200m sprint at the Invictus Games before the finals later in the week 

In the playful clip, they ridicule the young Prince's confidence and state: 'Hey Prince Harry. Remember when you told us to bring it at the Invictus Games? Be careful what you wish for.'

The Prince, however, had a pre-prepared trick up his sleeve - a video with the Queen.

A short clip showed the Prince sitting on a sofa with his grandmother while looking at pictures of last year's Invictus competitors.

They appeared to be concerned about an American man looking 'incredibly fast' during the sprinting when the Prince's phone starts playing 'Hail To The Chief'.

It signalled a text from Mrs Obama, which contains the video starring the Obamas.

The Prince turns to the Queen and asks: 'Do you want to watch this together?' before stating: 'Let's have a look.'

While Prince Harry looks concerned, the Queen does not look fazed by the clip and merely states: 'Oh really? Please.'

The clip ends with the 31-year-old Prince turning to the camera and making his own 'mic drop' hand signal, clearly convinced the Britons will return triumphant.