Blunt, a former officer in the Life Guards, a cavalry regiment of the British Army, and who served under NATO in Kosovo, will be joined by Laura Wright. an an English soprano.

The Ceremony to open the second edition of the Games, featuring wounded, injured and sick armed servicemen and women from 14 countries, will also include an unprecedented number of military performances.

These will include United States Army Herald Trumpets, US Army Band, US Navy, US Air Force, US Army Old Guard Fife and Drum Corps and the U.S. Marine Corps Silent Dill Team. 

In addition, the audience will hear, what organisers are promising, will be emotional first-person narratives from several injured servicemen.

The Ceremony at ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex at Walt Disney World Resort has been organised by Sara Donaldson and Christopher Laue. 

Donaldson was most recently executive produced the Rugby World Cup Opening Ceremony in London, the Invictus Games London 2014 Ceremonies and, along with Laue, was co-chief operating officer of the 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games Ceremonies in London.

Laue has also served as executive producer for the Lima 2019 handover segment at the Toronto 2015 Pan American Games, the Salvation Army International Congress, the Los Angeles Music Center 50th Anniversary Spectacular and the Opening and Closing Ceremonies of the 2014 Central American and Caribbean Games in Veracruz.

“The Opening Ceremony of the Invictus Games Orlando 2016 will be a spectacular event that reflects that awe-inspiring spirit and courage of the competitors, family, friends and care givers,” said Donaldson. 

“With breath-taking military performances, stories of courage and musical acts that are unmatched, fans won’t want to miss the epic display that will be put on at the Opening Ceremony and should buy their tickets now before they sell out.”

Blunt has sold more than 20 million records during his career and his best-known song, You're Beautiful, was number one in both the US and United Kingdom. 

Wright has already sung at several major sports events, including the FA Cup Final, Carling Cup Final, The Carnegie Challenge Cup Final, WSB Boxing, Polo in the Park and the NFL games held at Wembley in 2013 and 2014.

“The pageantry of the Opening Ceremony will begin a week that will give us all the opportunity to pay tribute to service and honor the sacrifice of our injured servicemen and women and their families,” said Ken Fisher, chairman of Orlando 2016.  

“I hope that every American can join us for the Invictus Games, cheer on these amazing competitors, and show those just starting out on the road to recovery what is possible, despite their injury or illness.”

The edition of the Invictus Games were held in London in 2014 following an initiative by Prince Harry,

More than 500 athletes from countries including the US, Britain, Australia, Canada and France will take part in 10 sports in Orlando.

The event is scheduled to last until May 12.