Prince Harry meets with workers at hospital in Canada

Prince Harry meets with workers at hospital in Canada

Prince Harry became the first member of the Royal Family to meet a Trump since last year's Presidential Election when he met First Lady Melania in Toronto ahead of the Invictus Games' opening ceremony on Saturday.

Mrs Trump and Harry spent less than 30 minutes together before the royal left for another engagement - the Jaguar Land Rover Driving Challenge.

Despite its brevity, the meeting appeared cordial with the pair warmly shaking hands before settling down to talk in a room at the Sheraton Hotel.

The 33-year-old prince dressed in a dark blue suit while the 47-year-old First Lady wore a tailored black-and-white dog tooth Dior suit and black heels.

Harry initially appeared awkward when he was introduced to the Slovenian former model, smiling brightly for the cameras before letting it drop as he turned away.

The pair then engaged in small talk with Mrs Trump thanking the prince for coming before he asked her if she had been in Canada long.

Harry and the US First Lady then settled down to discuss the Invictus Games' success. Subsequently Mrs Trump moved on to meet some of the veterans taking part for Team USA in the games while Harry moved on to a meeting with Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau.

Mrs Trump is leading the US delegation at the international sporting event in her first solo foreign trip and the first known meeting of a member of the royal family with a member of the Trump family since the election.

It's not the Trumps' first encounter with royalty, however. In November 2005, the President and First Lady - then just a newlywed couple - met Harry's father, Prince Charles, during a reception at the Museum of Modern Art in New York City.

Her decision to lead the American delegation, whose members include Veterans Affairs Secretary David Shulkin, professional golfer Nancy Lopez and entertainer Wayne Newton, reflects the first lady's 'utmost respect' for the hard work, courage and sacrifice of the US military, said Stephanie Grisham, a spokeswoman for Melania.

She feels strongly that they - and their families - should be honored every day,' Grisham said.

Grisham said Mrs. Trump, who became a US citizen in 2006, also has 'great admiration for the role the games have played in empowering those who have been injured while serving.' 

Later in the afternoon, Mrs Trump returned to the Sheraton to take part in a reception with Team USA athletes where she made a brief speech that lasted less than two minutes.

In the address, she said: ‘Invictus means unconquered and pays tribute to your fighting spirit. You have given so much for your country. You truly are our heroes. On behalf of my husband and our entire country, I want to thank you and your families for all you have sacrificed to keep us safe. I also want to wish you good luck but I know you won’t need it in these games. Take that fighting spirit that I know you have and bring home the gold.

‘God bless you. God bless your families and God bless the United States of America.’

Following her remarks, FLOTUS shook hands with several athletes, including a seven or eight who approached her and asked for individual photos with their cellphones.

Following his meeting with the First Lady, the Prince attended Jaguar Land Rover Driving Challenge, where competitors race either Jaguars in a speed and precision course or Land Rovers in an obstacle course. 

Harry was all smiles as he was sent on a spin in a miniature Land Rovers with little Daimyb Gommers. 

He then moved on to a meeting with Prime Minister Trudeau, who is also a friend of Meghan Markle.

After shaking hands, Harry thanked him and described the reaction to Invictus in Canada as 'absolutely amazing.'

'There's a real buzz across Toronto - everyone's getting into it,' he said.

Trudeau also thanked Harry and added that, 'Sophie and I wish every competitor the best.'

And as the press were summoned out, Harry put aside his airs and graces and leant in to whisper Trudeau a joke - which made him loudly splutter with laughter.

Trudeau - who has a famously flamboyant taste in socks - had donned a bright scarlet pair for his meeting with Prince Harry.

The powerful duo had a clear rapport when Harry flew out to promote Invictus in Toronto last year.

The various meetings and events come ahead of the opening ceremony of Invictus Games, games for wounded service personnel, where he is expected to make his first public appearance with actress girlfriend Meghan, 36.

Earlier that morning, the Prince who was greeted by crowds of adoring fans - and a even a couple of dogs - as he left following a meeting at The Centre for Addiction and Mental Health on Saturday. 

The royal had just come from meeting with healthcare workers at Canada's largest mental health and addiction hospital to discuss their work in research and technology with a focus on young people.   

Amon