Harry and Meghan launch the Invictus Games in the Netherlands

The Invictus Games sporting event for wounded, injured and ill service personnel and veterans opened Saturday night in the Netherlands with a standing ovation and a tribute from Prince Harry for Ukrainian team members who left their nation to compete.

At the ceremony, competitors cheered for nearly a minute as the Ukrainian team waved their nation's blue and yellow flag after Dutch Prime Minister Mark Rutte welcomed them to the event that was delayed by two years because of the coronavirus pandemic.

Harry founded the Games to aid the rehabilitation of injured or sick military service members and veterans, by giving them the challenge of competing in sports events similar to the Paralympics.

This is the fifth Games following previous events held in Australia, USA, UK and Canada, where Harry and his wife made their first public appearance together in 2017.