Britain's Prince Harry hosted a party in celebration of the Invictus Games yesterday (10.09.14).
The 29-year-old royal, who turns 30 next week, threw a bash to welcome the wounded servicemen and women to the UK ahead of the opening ceremony of the four-day international sporting event in London.
The flame-haired hunk thanked the competitors from the 13 different countries for embracing the games "so enthusiastically," while the US' President Barack Obama praised them for their determination.
He said in a pre-recorded message: "I know it's going to be a fiercely competitive few days but the truth is that everyone of you in these games, every service member and veteran, has already earned our highest admiration and our deepest gratitude.
"When your countries asked you to serve, to risk everything to protect our safety and our freedom, you and your families answered the call and just as you inspire us with your courage on the battlefield, your grit and resilience when you take the playing field, your incomparable souls inspire us today."
More than 400 competitors from Afghanistan, Australia, Canada, Denmark, Estonia, France, Italy, Georgia, Germany, the Netherlands, New Zealand, the US and the UK, will compete in nine adaptive sports at the Olympic Park and Lee Valley Athletics Centre in London until Sunday 14.

Britain's Princess Anne will tour Canada in November.
Prime Minister Stephen Harper announced the news yesterday (10.09.14) and said he was "delighted" that the 64-year-old royal had accepted the invitation to visit the North American country later this year.
He said in a statement: "It is entirely fitting that a member of the Royal Family should be present as we mark a number of important historical milestones in the lead up to the 150th anniversary of Canada's Confederation in 2017.
"We are honoured that Her Royal Highness will be joining us to celebrate moments that have defined our country and instilled a real sense of identity and pride."
It is believed the princess - the daughter of Queen Elizabeth and Prince Philip - will tour the Ottawa region, but the exact details and schedule of trip will be released nearer the time.
Anne previously visited Canada in 2013 but her last official tour of the country was in 1991.
Meanwhile, Anne is due to carry out a four-day visit to Ethiopia and Tanzania and despite concerns about the spread of the deadly Ebola virus, she has vowed to make the engagement later this month.

Joey Essex and Sam Faiers have reportedly split-up again.
The former 'The Only Way Is Essex' stars are said to have split following a string of arguments while on holiday in Marbella to celebrate Sam's sister Billie's engagement this week.
The pair - who got engaged in March 2013 and then split three months later before reconciling again earlier this year - are reported to have "constantly bickered" during the trip leaving Joey, 24, with no choice but to call time on their tumultuous relationship.
A source told The Sun newspaper: "Joey and Sam have been on the rocks for a while. They are constantly bickering and falling out. It's not been pretty.
"But the last straw was in Marbella. The atmosphere between them wasn't healthy enough - he just had to get away."
The reality TV star is now said to be struggling to come to terms with the couple's latest break-up.
The source added: "He always thought Sam was the one. It'll take some time for him to get over her."
Meanwhile, Joey landed back in the UK on Tuesday (09.09.14) without Sam, 23, and joked about the chilly flight home.
He tweeted: "Most uncomfortable flight and coldest I have ever flew. Don't wear shorts and flip flops! Back home in bed! 🙂 x (sic)".

'Downton Abbey' star Hugh Bonneville claims he could've been cast in 'Star Wars: Episode VII'.
The 50-year-old actor - who stars as the Earl of Grantham in the series - has revealed how J.J. Abrams, who is directing the latest instalment of the sci-fi franchise, visited the set of the ITV period drama one day when he was absent, meaning he missed out on being scouted for a role in the upcoming film.
He told the Daily Star newspaper: "It's awesome when the likes of J.J. Abrams drop in on set. Sadly I wasn't there that day. If I had been I might have been in 'Star Wars'."
Hugh and his co-star Lily James - who plays Lady Rose in the series which counts famous faces such as Sandra Bullock, Salma Hayek and Ashton Kutcher as fans - have confessed they found themselves starstruck while filming scenes for the Downton Christmas special at Alnwick Castle, which is used as Hogwarts in the 'Harry Potter' films.
Lily said: "I saw a Harry Potter double there. He not only looked like him he sounded like him too."
Hugh added: "We were all a bit starstruck. I went on a Mysterious Cellar Tour and got the bejeezus frightened out of me."
Meanwhile, Hugh's 'The Monuments Men' co-star George Clooney - who is also a fan series - is set to make a one-off appearance in the hit drama as part of this year's 'Text Santa' charity appeal on ITV.

'Loose Women' are planning a nationwide tour.
The hit ITV daytime series and its host of presenters - including regulars Ruth Langsford and Janet Street Porter and new stars Judy Finnigan and Gloria Hunniford - will travel the country's shopping centres to bring the panel show closer to viewers.
The move is reported to be an attempt by channel bosses to improve the show's popularity following a recent dip in ratings.
An insider told The Sun newspaper: "Bosses are always looking at new ideas for the show and they love the idea of a nationwide tour.
"It would be great to get the presenters out to shopping centres around the country to meet viewers face to face. "
Meanwhile, Judy - who previously vowed never to return to broadcasting after her talk show 'Richard & Judy' with her husband Richard Madeley's was axed - confessed she decided to make her TV comeback on the series as she thought it would be fun.
She said previously: "It's really odd, I hadn't planned it or thought. It was pure impulse. I had a really lovely summer and I was relaxed and happy and I've nearly finished my second book and I seriously thought, 'That sounds quite fun, I'd like to do that' ... And I'd like to talk to you lot."

Vicky Pattison has been crowned Queen of the 'Geordie Shore' house.
The 25-year-old beauty - who has been a member of the outrageous MTV reality series' cast since it first began in 2011 - will be in charge of her fellow housemates in the upcoming ninth series.
The mouthy brunette has been made deputy to Anna - who provides the housemates with jobs - and as she's previously claimed, "This is not a democracy, it's a dictatorship, and I'm f**king in charge", the drama looks set to be juicier than ever.
The eighth series - which starred Vicky, Charlotte Crosby, Holly Hagan, Marnie Simpson, Scott 'Scotty T' Timlin, James Tindale, Gary 'Gaz' Beadle and newcomers Aaron Chalmers and Kyle Christie - saw a number of disagreements and tantrums between the cast and that's more than likely to continue into the next series.
An insider told the Daily Mirror newspaper: "The move to make Vicky boss has ruffled feathers all around, especially with some of the lads. Expect back-talking and tantrums."
Vicky, who was seen snogging housemates Gaz and Aaron in the last series, has always thought of herself as Queen of the pad in Newcastle and her dreams will now come true when she's given the power to tell everyone what to do and even decide whether or not to kick people out for bad behaviour.
'Geordie Shore' series 9 kicks off on October 28.

Lily Collins thought it was the "end of the world" when she lost out on a role in 'Gossip Girl'.
The 25-year-old actress was devastated when she failed to land a part in the US teen drama TV series because she was desperate to be in the show, but now admits she could have been "pigeon-holed" if she had got the part and would have missed out on several film roles.
She said: "I tested for 'Gossip Girl'. I wanted to be in it so badly, I thought at the time it was the end of the world.
"Now I think, 'Well I would have got pigeon-holed, have had to move to New York, leave high school and be signed away for six years. I wouldn't have done the films I've done, and everything would have been so different.' "
Lily - who has starred in movies 'The Blind Side' and 'Mirror Mirror' - paid tribute to fellow actresses Jennifer Lawrence and Kristen Stewart for coping with fame by being "witty" and "cool, young women".
Speaking to Marie Claire magazine, she added: "They're witty, strong, funny, cool, young women. It's really just nice to see that it's possible to go through something like that and still be genuinely awesome people."

Vanessa Hudgens has landed a role in a Broadway version of 'Gigi'.
The 'High School Musical' actress will play the titular character in the musical, and she is overjoyed to have landed the part.
Speaking about the moment she was offered the role, the 25-year-old star told The Washington Post: "I was, like, screaming in the car. I called my mom; I called my dad. I could not believe it."
The actress - who is in a relationship with actor and musician Austin Butler - had been worried when she auditioned to play the character, explaining that she was doubtful about securing the role due to her ethnicity.
She continued: "[I worried about whether] I could really look like I could be a Parisian in the 1900s. I don't think they had many Filipinos there then."
However, the brunette beauty secured the part following an audition in which she sang 'I Don't Understand the Parisians' from the 1959 Academy Award-winning film version of 'Gigi'.
'Gigi' is a romantic comedy which follows the titular character - a Parisian girl - who is groomed by her minders to become a courtesan, but who then encounters love-interest Gaston, who falls for her.
The musical will begin a four-week pre-Broadway tryout at the Kennedy Center from January 16, 2015, with hopes to move on to a theatre near Times Square later in the year.
However, the musical doesn't have a great reputation on Broadway, with a 1973 version flopping after less than 100 performances due to poor ticket sales.

Pharrell Williams' son learned to play the piano aged three.
The 'Happy' hitmaker has revealed his only child, Rocket Williams - who is now four - looks set to follow in his musical footsteps because he can already play keys, much to the 41-year-old star's surprise.
He said: "He plays keys, it's amazing. I didn't start playing piano until I was like in my twenties because I was a classically trained drummer, [my son] was playing keys at like three!"
Pharrell admits he really misses Rocket and the youngster's mother, his wife Helen Lasichanh, when he is on tour but thanks God that video call application FaceTime has been invented so he can see his family while speaking to them from overseas.
While he misses his wife and son when he is playing gigs abroad, the singer admits he enjoys performing to crowds and thinks of it as more of a treat for himself rather than the audience.
Speaking on ITV's 'Good Morning Britain', he added: "I'm performing but I kind of feel like I'm the one enjoying the show because they're all there making me feel amazing.
"My band is there to support me, the dancers, the bass, I feel like I'm the one that's getting a treat because it's like 'man y'all don't have to show up here for me!'"

Ellen Pompeo is considering quitting acting after 'Grey's Anatomy'.
The 44-year-old actress has admitted she has no "strong desire" to find new roles when she hags up her stethoscope in the hit ABC series as she no longer wants to work for other people.
She said during a panel hosted by BuzzFeed: "I definitely feel myself transitioning. I don't find acting terribly empowering. For the place I am in my life, I think my age, once I hit 40, I feel differently. I don't necessarily want to work for other people."
However, the Golden Globe winner - who has starred as Meredith Grey on the medical drama since 2005 - refused to confirm that she would be quitting acting for good.
When asked if the end of 'Grey's Anatomy' could mark the end of her acting career, she said: "Oh, absolutely. I mean, never say never, I'm not going to come out and make one of those statements like, 'I'm retiring after...' and then in February come back. I try to keep an open heart, an open mind, an open soul and spirit to whatever comes my way and whatever is meant to be for me will be."
Ellen is contracted to appear on the show alongside her co-star Patrick Dempsey until the end of a potential season 12, although the show - which is set to air the first episode of its 11th series on September 25 - is yet to confirm whether a 12th season will take place.
When asked if she would be willing to extend her contract, she said: "I can't possibly say.
"I don't ever take anything for granted, and I would never be so arrogant as to assume the show would go to season 12. If we're doing our jobs, then possibly we'll be grateful to get a season 12, but I won't assume anything. Let's just make them happy now before we worry about making them happy four years from now."

FKA twigs couldn't wait to tell her friends and family she had been nominated for the Barclaycard Mercury Prize.
The 26-year-old singer - who is rumoured to be dating Robert Pattinson - described her nomination as an "amazing" thing and the first people she wanted to share the news with are the people who have supported her musical ambitions.
Speaking at The Hospital Club - where the nominations were announced on Monday night (10.09.14) - she told BANG Showbiz: "I've told all of my close friends and family about it and everyone's happy for me and it's just great to have the support of my friends and my family."
The songwriter insists the nomination - which is for her critically acclaimed debut album 'LP1' - is for her and for all the people who work so hard for her.
She said: "The really cool thing is I work with a lot of my close friends, so my best friend is my stylist and my other best friend is my choreographer.
"It's very exciting to be able to include all these wonderful, creative people who I've met in the past seven or eight years living in London to be able to include them in my work and everyone's really happy for me."
Preferring to talk about her music, the enigmatic songstress refused to open up about her rumoured romance with 'Twilight' actor Pattinson, who she was spotted having lunch with in New York last week.
When asked about her relationship with the Hollywood star, she said: "I think that I like to keep my personal life personal, but I'm really excited to be here today and to be talking about my music and my album."
The Barclaycard Mercury Prize is awarded annually to the album which a panel of judges deem to be the best album from the UK and Ireland in the previous 12 months. Among the 12 nominees this year is Bombay Bicycle Club's 'So Long, See You Tomorrow' and Kate Tempest' 'Everybody Down'.

Bombay Bicycle Club frontman Jack Steadman drove his first car in Turkey while he was writing the band's latest album.
The group's LP 'So Long, See You Tomorrow' has been nominated for the prestigious Barclaycard Mercury Prize and Jack has revealed while he was writing the songs for the record in Turkey he was made to have an impromptu driving lesson by his friend who was shocked he couldn't drive a car.
Speaking at the nominations announcement at The Hospital Club in London on Wednesday night (10.09.14), he told BANG Showbiz: "I had so many first experiences making the record, it was the first time I ever drove a car.
"The guy that I was staying with in Turkey - I was writing it [the album] in his house - he was so angry that I didn't know how to drive that he screeched the car to a halt, got out, insisted that I switch places with him, and demanded that I drove him home, and I'd never driven a car in my life."
Although the strange circumstances related to Jack's first driving experience were not typical of most people's driving lessons, he joked that it was a fun, if not slightly scary, experience.
He added: "It was exhilarating. It was manual so it was fine, but it was a steep hill with lots of bends! I think there was a lot of adrenaline in my body, and I was terrified of him, he wasn't taking no for an answer so I had to drive him home."
Despite the experience, Jack admitted that it hasn't inspired him to learn to drive legally back home in England.
When asked if he has driven since, he confessed: "No, it's still the only time I've ever driven a car!"
Other nominees for the Barclaycard Mercury Prize - which recognises the best album from the UK or Ireland of the last 12 months - include Royal Blood's self-titled debut, Damon Albarn's 'Everyday Robots' and East India Youth for 'Total Strife Forever'.