America’s Israel Del Toro, who suffered severe burns after an explosion in Afghanistan, joined Britain’s John-James Chalmers and Louis Nethercott in detailing their own personal experiences.

The trio were introduced by American actor Morgan Freeman, who had led a sold-out audience at the ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex at the Walt Disney World Resort in reciting the Invictus Games pledge.

The Games are a Paralympic-style multi-sport competition for wounded and injured armed forces personnel.

“The choices [my wife] had to make were hard on her, when she gave me the ultimatum she didn’t realise why I wanted to stay in [the Air Force],” said Del Toro.

“It was when I got hurt that she understood – she understood the military is a family and that she was never left alone.

“They had her back, they had my son’s back.

“I am like the legendary phoenix, I am reborn from these ashes and these flames have made me stronger.”

The personal stories formed a key part of the Ceremony, which was devised by Sara Donaldson and Christopher Laue, the pair who previously worked together on the London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Ceremonies.

English soprano Laura Wright opened proceedings with a rendition of her original song, “Invincible,” which she composed for the inaugural Invictus Games in London in 2014.

It provided the soundtrack to the arrival of almost 500 competitors from 14 nations, who were paraded through an interactive 3D cube which was emblazoned with the colours of each competing country.

Will Reynolds, the captain of the home United States team, discussed the important of the Invictus Games’ flag tour prior to the flag being raised next to the host nations.

The Ceremony also included an unprecedented number of military performances, with the United States Army Herald Trumpets, US Army Band, US Navy, US Air Force, US Army Old Guard Fife and Drum Corps and the US Marine Corps Silent Dill Team all featuring.

Multi-million selling singer James Blunt, a former officer in the Life Guards, a cavalry regiment of the British Army, and who served under NATO in Kosovo, performed his hit single “You’re Beautiful” and several other songs from his albums.

First Lady Michelle Obama and Invictus Games creator Prince Harry then took to the stage to greet competitors and explain how the wounded, injured and sick armed servicemen and women had inspired them.

“I had to create the Invictus Games to build a platform for all those who have served to prove to the world what they have to offer,” said Prince Harry.

“You will be inspired, you will be moved.”

The Ceremony drew to a close with the 150-member Center for American Military Music Opportunities (CAMMO) choir, performing the Invictus Anthem, which was adapted from William Ernest Henley’s poem “Invictus.”

Athletes will take part in 10 sports in Orlando, with the event scheduled to last until May 12.