Standing ovation for Duke at West End gala night

THE DUKE of Sussex received a standing ovation as he stepped on to a West End stage for a special gala performance of the Bat Out

Of Hell musical. With a prop motorbike parked on stage, the 34-year-old joked about wanting to climb on and “rev it” as he addressed the hundreds of Invictus Games Foundation attendees and supporters.

Speaking ahead of the special performance last night, the father-to-be joined the cast and producer of the show on stage at the Dominion Theatre in London’s West End.

He told the audience: “There’s 800 beneficiaries here this evening and their other halves, and the partners we have been working a lot with since 2014.”

Staring through the bright lights directed at the stage, the duke added: “Although I can’t see you all, it is very nice to know that you are all out there.

“So apart from wanting to get on that bike and rev it, enjoy the show and thank you very much for being a part of this.”

Harry founded the Invictus Games in 2014 for wounded servicemen and women, with events previously being held in London, Toronto, Florida and most recently, Sydney. The next Games are due to take place in The Hague in 2020.

The duke is the driving force behind the event, in which sick or injured servicemen and women, and military veterans, compete in sports as an aid to their recovery.

Earlier this year, Bat Out Of Hell announced a global partnership with the foundation, with private tours and theatre workshops for wounded, injured or sick personnel or veterans and their families.

Jim Steinman’s West End hit brings to life the anthems of Steinman and Meat Loaf, and follows the story of the young leader of a rebellious gang as he falls in love with the daughter of a tyrannical ruler.