Justin Trudeau Delivers Message to American Athletes at Closing Ceremony of Prince Harry's Invictus Games in Canada

"Canada and Canadians will never stop fighting for the friendship that unites our two countries," Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said in a speech

Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau is sending a powerful message at the Closing Ceremony of Prince Harry's Invictus Games.

On Feb. 16, Trudeau appeared at the final event of the Invictus Games Vancouver Whistler 2025 and stepped out on stage at Rogers Arena in Vancouver, Canada. There, the prime minister shared a congratulatory message for all the athletes and their families at the international adaptive sporting event, which the Duke of Sussex founded in 2014 to support wounded, injured and sick service personnel and veterans.

"It is just such an honor to be here because the Invictus Games are about more than competition; they’re about perseverance in the face of adversity, and they are about the strength and resilience of the human spirit," he began.

"It’s about not letting an injury, whether it be physical or mental, define who you are or what you can accomplish," he continued. "It’s about inspiring your fellow veterans, your fellow compatriots who have or are putting their lives on the line to defend our values, our liberty, our freedom; it’s about all of you...Each and every one of you is an inspiration."

During his speech, he addressed Team U.S., telling the crowd: "If you’ll permit me, a quick word to the American team — our neighbors, our allies, our friends. I’m reminded of that old joke: I went to a fight last night, and a hockey game broke out," he said in an apparent reference to the USA vs. Canada NHL 4 Nations Face-Off on Feb. 15, which the U.S. won.

"I know, my American friends, you’ve been reminded this past week that your Canadian friends and every other competitor in this place is just as proud to fight for their flags as you are to fight for yours — the stars and stripes," he said.

"We all stand proudly together. We all believe in a future where we have values and a friendship that endures the test of time," he continued. "We have stood together for generations and Canada and Canadians will never stop fighting for the friendship that unites our two countries through tough times and through the best times in the world. Americans are our friends, always. And we are yours."

Trudeau’s speech came at a pivotal moment, as tensions between the U.S. and Canada have been on the rise — and his own political future hangs in the balance. On Jan. 6, he announced plans to resign as prime minister once a successor is chosen, following a steep decline in popularity fueled by economic struggles like inflation and a housing crisis.

Donald Trump’s victory in the U.S. presidential election has heightened anxieties, particularly after he floated the idea of Canada becoming America’s "51st state" and threatened steep tariffs on Canadian goods.

Trudeau has crossed paths with Harry for the Invictus Games before. The two met ahead of the Toronto Games kickoff in 2017, and watched the Opening Ceremony together that year in the same stands. The two continued tradition on the final day of the Invictus Games Vancouver Whistler, and watched some indoor rowing, the tournament's final sport, together on Feb. 16 in Vancouver.

The Duke of Sussex and Trudeau seemed to have an animated chat as they caught the competition, sharing a warm hug at one point and posing for photos with fans.

Related: Prince Harry Opens Up About Family, Invictus and Having Wife Meghan Markle 'by My Side' (Exclusive)

The latest Invictus Games were held between the cities of Vancouver and Whistler from Feb. 8 to Feb. 16, and marked the competition's seventh edition. The Invictus Games Vancouver Whistler doubled as the tournament's first return to a previous host country, following the Toronto Games in 2017, and winter sports were incorporated into the tournament for the first time.

Exclusively speaking to PEOPLE at the Invictus Games on Feb. 9, Prince Harry says that the return to Canada meant much. 

"It’s incredible to be back in Canada. Canada couldn’t be more appropriate to host the first Winter Games. Everyone is so excited," Prince Harry says.

Related: Prince Harry Reveals His Candid 'Wish' for Invictus Games at 10 Years (Exclusive)

Prince Harry and his wife Meghan Markle memorably made their first public appearance as a couple during a wheelchair tennis match at the 2017 Toronto Games. The Duke and Duchess of Sussex also later lived in Canada with son Prince Archie, now 5, after stepping back from their royal roles in 2020.

The Invictus Games Vancouver Whistler 2025 brought together over 500 athletes from 23 nations to go for the gold on the court, ice and slopes during an action-packed week of sport, unity and community.

The event began with a rocking Opening Ceremony headlined by Chris Martin, Katy Perry, Noah Kahan and Nelly Furtado on Feb. 8, and closes with an emotional show starring Jelly Roll, Barenaked Ladies and The War and the Treaty on Feb. 16.

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The next edition of the Invictus Games will be in Birmingham, England, in 2027, and Prince Harry told PEOPLE about why his sincere wish for the competition is to shut it down. 

"I wish that we could close this down because there wasn’t a need for it, but as long as there’s a need for it, we will keep it going," Prince Harry says.

"I know the U.K. is looking forward to having the Games back, to where it started, in just over a couple years," he adds.

For more on Prince Harry and the Invictus Games, pick up PEOPLE's latest issue, on newsstands now.