Harry loses televised penalty shootout to German politician

The Duke of Sussex speaking during the Invictus Games opening ceremony in Dusseldorf, Germany (Jordan Pettitt/PA)

The Duke of Sussex has taken part in a penalty shootout on German TV, and lost without scoring a goal.

Harry was taking part in the challenge on TV channel ZDF alongside German defence minister Boris Pistorius and two athletes from the Invictus Games, which are currently taking place in Dusseldorf.

The duke founded the event to aid the rehabilitation of injured and sick military personnel and veterans across the globe, by giving them the challenge of competing in sporting events similar to the Paralympics.

Prinz Harry, Bundesverteidigungsminister Boris Pistorius, Angelo Anderson und Jens Niemeyer stellen sich der Herausforderung an der #sportstudio-Torwand. pic.twitter.com/liwmkz0zg0

— ZDF (@ZDF) September 9, 2023

Sporting an Invictus Games shirt, Harry joked “what happens for zero?” before taking part in the penalty shootout and agreed to wear a German jersey if he missed his attempts.

In place of a goalkeeper, two holes were created in the goal for competitors to score through.

Stepping up to the spot inside the studio Harry politely joked with audience members sitting close to the goal “you might want to move” before he stepped up to the mark.

After a quick dance, the duke hit his first two attempts straight down the middle of the goal, missing the hole in the bottom right corner.

While his third attempt was closer it also missed.

The duke then watched Mr Pistorius calmly net his first two chances.

Harry returned to have another three shots later in the shootout but he was unable to get the ball through a hole in the top left corner.

Since there were no German shirts nearby Harry put on a FSV Mainz 05 scarf following his defeat and joked with the German politician “in your spare time you could manage the national team”.