Both are heavily involved in supporting disability sport, with Prince Harry being an active figure in the Invictus Games - an competition for wounded, injured and sick servicemen and women from across the globe scheduled to be held at the Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park and Lee Valley Athletics Centre on September 10 to 14, and The Earl of Wessex being the Royal Patron of the British Paralympic Association (BPA).

They are also regularly seen attending Paralympic events, including alongside The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge at London 2012, while The Earl of Wessex, who will attend National Paralympic Day at the Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park on August 30, hosted a Royal reception for the British team that competed at Sochi 2014 earlier this year.

"Once again National Paralympic Day will celebrate all that is excellent about the Paralympic Movement," The Earl said.

"Once again present and future Paralympians will have the opportunity to show us that disability is no barrier to competitive and spectacular sport.

"After the success of Parasports at London 2012, as well as Sochi and Glasgow [2014 Commonwealth Games] this year, here is a chance to remind ourselves just how exciting they can be at first hand.

"I hope that many will want to cheer on the teams in Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park."

Prince Harry added that through his work he has seen first-hand how disability sport has the power to change and influence people's lives for the better.

"These men and women are not defined by their disabilities, but by their incredible sporting achievements," he said.

"National Paralympic Day is another opportunity for the public to acknowledge this and hopefully be inspired by it."

Prince Harry was a regular feature at the London 2012 Paralympic Games ©Getty Images


Tim Hollingsworth, chief executive of the BPA, welcomed the Royal support.

"It is fantastic to have the backing of both our Royal Patron, The Earl of Wessex, and Prince Harry for our activities on August 30 to celebrate National Paralympic Day," he said.

"Their interest and support is clear as is their commitment to the Paralympics and to the power of sport to change people's lives.

"We are particularly delighted that The Earl is joining us in London.

"We know that interest in Paralympic sport is at an all-time high in this country and through National Paralympic Day we can help as many people as possible learn more about the Paralympics, be inspired by our amazing athletes and get involved in disability sport."

National Paralympic Day will see world-class international athletes competing across a number of sports, including wheelchair basketball, swimming, goalball and boccia, at the Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park, while free to attend celebratory events will simultaneously take place in London, Birmingham and Liverpool.

Tickets for the London competition can be bought for £5 ($8/€6) and are available here. 

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