Invictus Games: Prince Harry and Michelle Obama lead opening ceremony speeches

Around 500 athletes from 14 different countries will compete in 10 events over four days in the Paralympic-style games.

(Getty Images)

Prince Harry has said he hopes this year's Invictus Games will highlight the "tremendous emotional and mental challenges" faced by its competitors, as he opened the event with America's First Lady Michelle Obama.

The opening ceremony at Disney's ESPN Wide World of Sports Champion Stadium in Orlando, Florida was described by the Prince as a demonstration of the “very best of the human spirit” and a tribute to the "remarkable" injured servicemen and women and veterans taking part.

Around 500 athletes from 14 different countries will compete in 10 events - including archery, indoor rowing, powerlifting, swimming, and tennis - over four days in the Paralympic-style games.

Athletes and their families watch a musical performance during the opening ceremony for the Invictus Games (AP)

Britain's Prince Harry, actor Morgan Freeman and first lady Michelle Obama listen to speakers during the opening ceremony for the Invictus Games (AP)

The brainchild of Prince Harry, the Invictus Games were first held last year in London and aims to help wounded and sick military personnel and their families.

The Prince, who underwent two tours of duty in Afghanistan, said at the ceremony on Sunday night: “I served along soldiers from all over the world.

“I saw the sacrifices you and your families made to serve your nations. I learned about the importance of team work and camaraderie in the way that only military service can teach you."

Athletes from Australia enter the stadium during the opening ceremony for the Invictus Games in Kissimmee (AP)

The UK team taking on the New Zealand team in the heats for wheelchair basketball at the Invictus Games 2016 in Orlando (PA)

Mental health was a major focus of the Prince’s speech, who reminded the audience: "It is not just physical injuries that our Invictus competitors have overcome.

"Every single one of them will have confronted tremendous emotional and mental challenges.

"To those of you watching at home and who are suffering from mental illness in silence - whether a veteran or a civilian, a mum or a dad, a teenager or a grandparent - I hope you see the bravery of our Invictus champions who have confronted invisible injuries, and I hope you are inspired to ask for the help that you need."

Prince Harry poses with UK Armed Forces Team members ahead of Invictus Games Orlando 2016 at ESPN Wide World of Sports (Getty Images)

Flags of some of the participating nations are displayed during the opening ceremony for the Invictus Games in Kissimmee (AP)

Former U.S. President George W. Bush fist bumps wounded warrior Master Sergeant Israel Del Toro Jr on stage during the Symposium on Invisible Wounds at the Invictus Games in Orlando (Reuters)

Ms Obama also gave a speech and told the competitors: "Like Prince Harry I'm so incredibly inspired by all of you. I'm inspired by your courage, by your love of country, I'm inspired by the sacrifices you all make every day - particularly the wounded warriors and the care givers.”

The flags of each nation were paraded into the performance arena by cadets from the Liberty High School Army Junior Reserve Officer Training Corps who were joined by the competitors.

The Invictus flag, which had travelled from the UK to the US, made the final leg of its journey by helicopter and was brought into the arena by US Staff Sergeant August O'Neill.

The two-hour event included performances by singer James Blunt and soprano Laura Wright. Actor Morgan Freeman and former president George W. Bush — honorary chairman of this year's games — sat in the audience for the ceremonial start of the games.

Additional reporting by agencies