The Duke of Sussex could not resist the attentions of an ex-soldier’s friendly dog when he met members of the Netherlands’ Invictus Games team on their home soil.
When Harry was told Rhone, a black labrador, was a “working dog” he shied away from the animal which is a post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) buddy for former tank driver Joyce van den Waardenburg.
Harry could not resist the attentions of Joyce van den Waardenburg’s friendly dog when he met members of Holland’s Invictus Games’ team on their home soil in Amsterdam. pic.twitter.com/sXU2GembnA
— PA Royal Reporters (@PARoyal) July 23, 2018
They met when Harry was introduced to leading figures from Dutch society after attending a major Aids conference in Amsterdam.
Despite being warned the two-year-old dog was out of bounds, he soon gave her a playful stoke under the chin and Rhone looked back at her owner, almost in astonishment.
The Duke of Sussex meets talented #YoungNLeaders, including the Netherlands @WeAreInvictus Team, at a @ukinnl reception in Amsterdam ?? pic.twitter.com/Blqtye5tI0
— Kensington Palace (@KensingtonRoyal) July 23, 2018
Ms van den Waardenburg, 35, who developed PTSD after serving in Iraq, said about her buddy dog: “She loves people, so whether it’s a prince or somebody else, she’s happy to see them.
She is part of the Dutch team for the Invictus Games, the Paralympic-style sporting festival for wounded or sick servicemen and women and veterans, which was founded by Harry. Sydney is to host the Games this autumn.
Celebrate the unconquered human spirit of our wounded warriors at the #I2018 Closing Ceremony. Don’t miss your chance to celebrate eight days of incredible competition. Get your tickets today https://t.co/LErZsk2EFgBe Inspired. Be Entertained. Be There – 27 Oct#GameOnDownUnder pic.twitter.com/ccBIZ4RlXK
— InvictusSydney (@InvictusSydney) July 12, 2018
The Netherlands will be hosts in 2020 and Harry joked with other members of the team during the reception in an arts venue in Amsterdam: “Now that you’re hosting you have to try and win everything.”
The former tank driver replied: “I’m going to train like hell.”
