Deurne’s Gilles van der Steen has brought world news once again with the chance to take unforgettable photos with English royalty. Four years ago, he kissed Meghan, the (then) wife of Prince Harry. This time Harry shook hands himself. Both were at the Invictus Games last week. “I also noticed ‘jelly chuckle,’ because I was only able to be in the operating bed.”
Harry was there last week in The Hague as the initiator and organizer of this sporting event. Invictus Games has been created specifically for veterans who are physically or mentally injured. Harry also served in the army himself. Four years ago, Gilly was also present with Dutch wheelchair basketball players. At the medal ceremony, he asked if he could kiss Meghan and she agreed, which immediately became world news.
“He has a sincere and kind impression, we don’t talk about his wife anymore”
“I think Harry still remembers me about that business, but we haven’t talked about it,” Gilly says. “Now there’s a picture going around the world shaking my hand by my bed, but I’ve talked to him a few times. He makes a real and kind impression. He wants to do good for someone else. He sits at equal eye level and I found that there was no problem encouraging Dutch basketball players when Things were going a lot less.”
This sporting event is very important for my generation. “I am the captain of the basketball team. Unfortunately, every year we receive new injured and traumatized soldiers. As a team we are there to get them out of a hole, to give them meaning again. This is a process that I love. I want. To be with you from start to finish, culminating in Invictus Games where everyone understands each other in a few words.”
“It was really amazing what they did for me.”
So it was a huge disappointment when my generation heard that he had to have surgery urgently. “We wanted to undo everything. Then the WinsAmbulance Brabant came into the picture. They brought me everywhere with a bed from Wednesday to Friday night. It’s really amazing that this is done for me. I was also surrounded by so many family and friends. My teammates make me I feel so happy after that.”
