Prince Harry, Michelle Obama and a host of famous faces joined together tonight to kick off the Invictus Games, presented by Jaguar Land Rover, in spectacular fashion at London's Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park.
The international sporting event will see more than 400 wounded, injured or sick servicemen and women from 13 nations compete in nine different sports across four days.
The Games were given a royal stamp of approval with Prince Charles and Camilla, Duchess of Cornwall, being joined by The Duke of Cambridge and Prince Harry to witness proceedings in Stratford.
And Prince Harry ‑ the champion of the event ‑ was on hand during an action‑packed opening ceremony to deliver his support and declare the Games officially open.
"I can only begin to imagine how challenging the journey to recovery is but the admiration I have for these men and women is limitless," he said.
"Each of them has come such a long way even making it to the start line is a huge achievement.
"Their stories are as amazing as they are unique. However, they all share one thing: sport.
"No longer are these inspirational men and women defined by their injuries but as athletes, competitors and team mates."
Golden Globe award‑winning actor Idris Elba entered the arena in a Heritage Land Rover (Series II), used in the past by HM The Queen and HM The Queen Mother during the 1970s and 1980s.
Wearing a black suit and white shirt, the Luther star read the Invictus Poem ‑ from which the Games' slogan I AM is taken ‑ by William Ernest Henley.
As well as commercial support, Jaguar Land Rover has pledged to explore opportunities with the Royal Foundation and the Ministry of Defence to create innovative ways to enhance the valuable role of veterans as skilled employees, as a way of creating a lasting legacy for the Games.
And Dr Ralf Speth, Chief Executive Officer of Jaguar Land Rover, spoke at the opening ceremony about the excitement of being involved in the Invictus Games. He said: "Jaguar Land Rover is immensely proud to be enabling the Invictus Games and hosting this exciting challenge.
"We have been inspired by the passion with which Prince Harry has championed this visionary idea, to celebrate the commitment and achievements of wounded, injured and sick Service personnel."
Invictus Games chairman Sir Keith Mills told those watching: "This evening we welcome the competitors and the friends and families that have supported them from 13 countries.
"Over the next few days we will experience some fantastic sport from some of the extraordinary competitors you see this evening.
"I am sure you will all join me in wishing them the very best of luck.
"Preparing for any major sports competition can be really tough but the journeys that these guys have travelled in recent months and years to simply be here tonight has been truly amazing.
"When Prince Harry conceived the Invictus Games he hoped they would be an inspiration for all of those that have been wounded, injured and sick while serving their countries.
"I have no doubt that these Games will achieve that and much more.
"They will inspire the tens of thousands of spectators in the stadiums this week."
The Games will use the power of sport to inspire recovery, support rehabilitation, and generate a wider understanding and respect of those who serve their country.
It was the RAF's Red Arrows that got proceedings off to a flying start as they left a trail of red, white and blue across the East London sky.
Singer Laura Wright, accompanied by a string orchestra and service bands from the Army, Navy and RAF was the first famous face to make an appearance before actor Elba read the poem 'Invictus' from which the Games' name was derived.
It was then the athletes' turn to take centre stage and their parade was accompanied by a helicopter fly‑past and concluded with a dramatic flair‑display.
The night ended as impressively as it began with Jonathan Edwards and Clare Balding making way for First Lady Michelle Obama and Prince Harry before the ceremony drew to a close with the world premier of Chris Martin's Invictus anthem.
The nine sports at the Invictus Games are: Archery, Athletics, Wheelchair Basketball, Road Cycling, Powerlifting, Indoor Rowing, Wheelchair Rugby, Swimming and Sitting Volleyball. The Jaguar Land Rover Driving Challenge saw the first medals of the Games awarded by Prince Harry yesterday.
The Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park will host events in the London Aquatics Centre, Copper Box Arena, Lee Valley VeloPark and Here East, with Athletics at the Lee Valley Athletics Centre.
Teams come from Afghanistan, Australia, Canada, Denmark, Estonia, France, Germany, Georgia, Italy, Netherlands, New Zealand, UK and USA.
ENDS