Prince Harry has announced that Sydney will host the 2018 Invictus Games – and was given the seal of approval by pop princess Kylie Minogue.
In a video message Harry named the New South Wales metropolis as the next venue for his Paralympic-style sporting spectacle that has already been staged in London, Orlando in America and is scheduled for Toronto next year.
The announcement comes to a comic end when, surrounded by members of the Australian military, Harry's smart phone rings to the sound of the Minogue hit I Should Be So Lucky and he announces to cheers that the caller is Kylie.
He says: "Hi Kylie, good timing, the 2018 Invictus Games is coming to Sydney, can I guarantee the Aussies are going to bring it?"
In her own video message viewed on the phone she replies "Hey Prince Harry, listen we're stoked the Invictus Games is coming to Sydney, but you don't need to tell the Aussies to bring it – it's guaranteed, no worries."
The prince has been the driving force behind the Invictus Games for injured, wounded and sick servicemen and women and veterans, and staged the inaugural event in London to great acclaim in 2014 and had further success with the Orlando Games earlier this year.
In Australia, more than 500 competitors from 17 nations will compete in 11 adaptive sports across Greater Sydney, including Sydney Olympic Park and on and around the city's harbour.
The Prince, patron of the Invictus Games Foundation which oversees the delivery of the tournament, said in the message: "The Invictus Games has shown us what can be achieved when wounded, injured and sick servicemen and women rediscover their fighting spirit through sport.
"In London and again Orlando, we came away moved by the tales of courage that got each competitor through their rehabilitation to the start line of their chosen sport.
"Tens of thousands of people packed stadiums and millions more watched at home. We were all inspired.
"We have raised the bar higher with each successive games, and I know that Toronto are planning an incredible event when they host the Games in September. And I am happy to say the Invictus Games journey won't end there."
He went to explain why Sydney had won the right to host the Games: "We had three key criteria. First, it had to be an iconic city – somewhere known the world over.
"Second, it needed to be a city with a proud military heritage, which would welcome competitors from all over the world with open arms.
"And finally, we wanted to go somewhere where they are absolutely sports mad and would really get behind our competitors. It was an easy decision really – the 2018 Invictus Games are coming to Sydney."
The video, filmed at the Tourism Australia offices in Australia House, London, features Invictus Games Sydney 2018 ambassador and Wallabies captain Stephen Moore as well as members of the Australian Defence Force from all three services.