Prince Harry, injured US officer launch Warrior Games

The visit to Colorado got underway Friday night when Harry charmed dozens of dignitaries, British expatriates, students and military officers at a cocktail party welcoming him to Colorado. He also joined the crowd in singing "Happy Birthday" to Franklin, a Coloradan who was celebrating turning 18 at a golf club south of Denver.

She won four gold medals in the 2012 Olympic Games in London.

A captain in Britain's Army Air Corps, Harry has deployed to Afghanistan twice, and he wore a brown camouflage uniform and tan combat boots when he met with the British team.

Britain's Prince Harry talks to a British competitor in the seated bicycle race at the Warrior Games in Colorado Springs, Colorado, May 12, 2013. [Photo/Agencies]

His first deployment, as a forward air controller in 2007-2008, was cut short after 10 weeks when details of his whereabouts were disclosed in the media.

On his second deployment, he was a co-pilot and gunner on an Apache helicopter.

He acknowledged to reporters he had targeted Taliban fighters, and when asked if he had killed anyone, said, "Yeah, so, lots of people have."

He's attending the Colorado games because he believes the wounded deserve recognition, according to a statement from St. James' Palace in London, the official residence of the royal family.

"He seemed very interested in what stage we are all in in terms of our rehabilitation," said Erica Vey, a veteran of the British Air Force.

Vey, who competes in track and field and shooting, had a leg amputated after an injury she suffered when a cargo plane had to take sudden evasive action.

Harry caused a scandal on his last trip to the US when he was photographed frolicking nude with an unidentified woman in a Las Vegas hotel suite in August.

"It was probably a classic example of me probably being too much army, and not enough prince," he said afterward.

Britain's Prince Harry (2nd L) kneels down at the bottom of a pyramid of cheerleaders, US and British military officials and near the US Air Force Academy mascot "The Bird" at the academy in Colorado Springs, Colorado, May 12, 2013. [Photo/Agencies]