Meghan Markle has returned home to California, HOLA! USA can confirm. The Duchess of Sussex left the Invictus Games early to be with her 5-year-old son Prince Archie and 3-year-old daughter Princess Lilibet. HOLA! USA understands that this was a pre-planned arrangement to ensure that Meghan could be with her children while Prince Harry continues supporting the remainder of the games in Canada.
Meghan mentioned her kids cheering their dad on from California during her remarks at the family and friends reception in Vancouver last Friday,.
"I was not planning on speaking tonight. And we just arrived, I don't know, a couple of hours ago, and I touched Canadian soil, and I went, 'Oh, it feels like home.' We are so excited," Meghan said. "We also recognize most of you are probably so exhausted from how much travel you've done, how much adrenaline you have pumping, how excited you are for what is going to be one of the most outstanding, memorable, unforgettable and connected weeks probably for you and for your families."
"We are just thrilled to be here and I would be remiss if I didn't take the opportunity to introduce someone who means a lot to me and I know means quite a lot to all of you. You will see him throughout this week. You will see him at the games," she added.
The Duchess also spoke about a moment between Harry and their son Archie in the lead up to the games. Meghan said, “With families, the big rush in the morning and getting ready for school and packing the lunchboxes and making breakfast and my husband is in all of that with all of us. And then he'll be on his phone, and Archie will say, ‘Papa, why are you on your phone?’ He’s like, ‘Because it’s Invictus, I’m getting ready for Invictus.’”
"It means so much to him. You are his family, just as we are his family. And I hope you recognize how much of his heart he has poured into every single beat that has gotten all of you to this week that is going to be spectacular," the Duchess continued. "I just, I need you to know that. I need you to know how much it means to him and how much each of you means to him. So it is my entire pleasure and complete honor to introduce to the stage my husband, the father of our very sweet, excited children who are cheering you on from California, Prince Harry, founder of the Invictus Games, the Duke of Sussex."
The seventh Invictus Games kicked off on Feb. 8, and will come to an end on Feb. 16. While Meghan was in Canada for the games, she joined Prince Harry at multiple events, including the opening ceremony, where they were photographed sharing a kiss. Speaking to PEOPLE in Vancouver, Prince Harry said: "To have my wife here supporting me is amazing. I love that she’s by my side," calling it "such an important piece to this whole adventure."