Prince Harry's rallying cry as he unveils UK team for third Invictus Games at the Tower of London

Prince Harry made a passionate rallying cry to Invictus Games hopefuls as he unveiled the UK team at the Tower of London.

Harry, 32, who created the Paralympic-style event for injured military personnel and veterans, introduced the 90-strong team of men and women.

They will represent Great Britain at the games in Toronto, Canada, this September.

Casually dressed Prince Harry, an Afghanistan army veteran himself, posed for the first team picture and exchanged banter with competitors.

He told the team: "This is a real opportunity for you guys to be congratulated and recognised for the amazing things you have done and the amazing things you are doing and will go on to do.

"It's going to be good. Whether you get a medal or not you are going to have an amazing experience. Suck up all the experiences."

He added: "For your family, your loved one, your friends, everything has changed too.

"Their aspirations may have been changed as much as yours. They will have made sacrifices too.

"This is a chance to thank them too. Thank them for the sacrifices they have also made.

"No matter how you are going to do I promise you that you will feel a million dollars.

"Whether you cross the finishing line first it last will make no difference to me or to anyone. It's in our blood to win, it's in our nature to win."

He added: "Whether you are blowing smoke out of you’re a*** as you cross the line makes no difference.

"It is what you are achieving, what you have achieved to get there.

"This is the last stepping stone and as I see it there are many different paths you can now follow," he added.

The Prince, who flies to Australia next week to promise the 2018 Invictus Games in Sydney, is passionate about the annual event and says he firmly believes injured military personnel getting involved in sport helps with self-confidence and feeling psychologically empowered.

He also believes these significant mental health benefits can be translated outside of sport and into everyday life.

He said: "The Invictus Games has always been a launch pad, everyone is here for different reasons and only you will know that reason, you and your family and your friends aswell

"But make the most of this opportunity, this is your opportunity your chance, and for many of you I know this is a second chance at life.

"I know that many of you here have struggled over the years, and some have struggled more than others, but the fact of the matter is you're here now and therefore you have this amazing journey this amazing opportunity in front you."

Harry, a former Army officer, told the Invictus competitors that wanting a podium finished was ingrained in all of them but he added: "Those who have done Invictus before know it's not about the medals but taking part."

He went on to say: "When you cross the finish line regardless of where you position is, I know exactly what all you guys are going to do, you'll turn around and you'll congratulate every single person who comes over that line regardless of what strip they're wearing."

Invictus Games Toronto 2017 has inspired more hopefuls than ever before this year with 62 per cent of the team being brand new to the Games.

A total of 306 military personnel and veterans trialled 11 sports for one of the 90 places available on the UK team.

The 2017 UK team captain was also named on Tuesday as former Army Major Bernie Broad, who takes over the mantel from 2016 captain David Wiseman.

Major Broad lost both his legs below the knee due to injuries sustained in an explosion in Helmand Province in 2009.

He underwent four years of extensive surgery and rehabilitation followed by two years of assistance from the Personnel Recovery Unit at Chetwynd Barracks in Chilwell.

He said: “Since being medically retired from the Armed Forces in 2014, I feel that I have taken my foot off the gas and become quite complacent.

"I have always been a keen and competitive sportsman, so I kick started my fitness regime and now regularly swim, cycle and walk.”

"I am looking forward to taking part in the Invictus Games as I see this involvement as a way to re-focus me physically and mentally and to re-engage in a full, active, competitive and fulfilling life," he said.

On being chosen as UK captain, he added: “The Invictus Games are empowering and inspire all of us as competitors to be the best version of ourselves. It allows us to be judged on what we can achieve, rather than what we can’t.

"To simply be selected for the UK team was an amazing achievement. To then be further selected as the UK team captain filled me with such immense pride and it is a huge privilege to be given this honour.

“I definitely stood taller and my chest expanded quite a bit," he added.

The rigorous selection process was based on the benefit the Invictus Games will give an individual as part of their recovery, combined with performance and commitment to training.

The UK delegation to the Invictus Games Toronto 2017 is being delivered by a partnership comprising The Ministry of Defence, Help for Heroes, and The Royal British Legion.

The team will continue to train in various locations across the country as part of Help for Heroes’ extensive Sports Recovery programme and role to train and develop the team.

They will compete in 11 sports: Athletics; Archery; Wheelchair Basketball; Cycling; Powerlifting; Indoor Rowing; Wheelchair Rugby; Swimming, Sitting Volleyball, Wheelchair Tennis and a new sport for 2017, Golf.

Jayne Kavanagh, of Help for Heroes and Chef de Mission for the UK Team, said: “With more hopefuls than ever before applying to be a part of the Invictus Games in Toronto, and with more than 60 per cent of the 2017 UK team being brand new to the Games, it is evident that the legacy of 2014 and 2016 is strong.

"In the UK team, we have 90 individuals who have displayed high levels of passion, teamwork and commitment to using sport as a tool of recovery both during and beyond the Invictus Games.

“We are very proud to be working alongside them and wish them the best of luck as they embark on their Invictus Games journeys.”

The Royal British Legion will be supporting the friends and family, including carers, of the UK team as part of its work to recognise the vital and valuable contribution that they make to the recovery of WIS Service personnel and veterans.

The Legion’s Director General, Charles Byrne said: “The Legion is proud to be supporting the friends and family of the UK team athletes at the Invictus Games 2017.

"We know how important the support of friends and family is to the team, both in their performance and recovery, so their involvement in the games is key.

"The Legion is co-ordinating travel, accommodation and tickets for family and friends to attend the games in Toronto, to ensure that every athlete can enjoy the support of their loved ones. We will also be providing support to friends and family in the UK in preparation for the games, as well as out in Toronto.”

Jaguar Land Rover is again supporting the UK team and are presenting partners of the Invictus Games Toronto 2017.

The Invictus Games Toronto 2017 will take place from September 23 to September 30 . To find out more, visit the website.