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Prince Harry of Wales first official tour of United States

by Rhonda J Mangus | May 30, 2009 at 07:56 pm

509 views | 36 Recommendations | 12 comments

Prince Harry of Wales first official tour of the United States began in New York yesterday. Prince Harry paid tribute to the 3,000 victims of the September 11th attacks, laying a wreath at Ground Zero.

The wreath, made up of yellow roses and peonies, carried a personal message signed by the visiting royal.

It read: 'In respectful memory of those who lost their lives on September 11, 2001, and in admiration of the courage shown by the people of this great city on that day.'

Harry arrived at the site of the World Trade Centre in downtown Manhattan in glorious sunshine, dressed in a dark blue suit with maroon striped tie. Waiting for him was a crowd of wellwishers, many of whom were female admirers.

Amy Wip, a 20-year-old student from New Jersey, said: 'He is a very good-looking prince, about the same as his brother. They're both very handsome. I have no preference.'

Bypassing the cheering crowds, he walked briskly through a tunnel, emerging into the sunlight where the towers once stood. He glanced upwards, seemingly taking in the enormity of the structures felled in the attack, and said simply, 'Wow'.

He then met New York state governor David Paterson, thanking him briefly for having him over.

The Prince also met with FDNY Ten House crew who presented him with a fireman's T-shirt and a helmet (the company lost six fireman on September 11, 2001), and he spoke at the naming ceremony for The British Gardens at Hanover Square New York, where he planted a magnolia bush. The garden is dedicated to the victims of September 11th and also honors the unity of Great Britain and the United States.

Prince Harry also played polo on this first official trip to the US. The Veuve Clicquot Manhattan Polo Classic was a fundraiser for Sentebale, the charity that Harry has set up with Prince Seeiso of Lesotho to help poor children and AIDS orphans in the small African nation surrounded by South Africa.

Other tours included the Harlem Children's Zone school in Harlem, a Coast Guard cutter up the Hudson River to the Intrepid Sea, Air and Space Museum, and a visit to Manhattan's Veteran's Affairs Medical Center.

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Babel-Fish

at 20:17 on May 30th, 2009

Actually this is really his first big role on taking on the many hats of a British royal ambassador.

Rhonda J Mangus

at 20:26 on May 30th, 2009

"Actually this is really his first big role on taking on the many hats of a British royal ambassador."

And I think he did it very well, Babel-Fish. Thank you for reading, commenting, and for the recommendation!

Babel-Fish

at 20:38 on May 30th, 2009

Your very welcome.

Rhonda J Mangus

at 20:42 on May 30th, 2009

Marge (not verified)

at 21:37 on May 30th, 2009

Prince Harry is not the Prince of Wales, that would be Prince Charles.

Rhonda J Mangus

at 22:02 on May 30th, 2009

Marge, thank you for bringing this oversight to my attention. It is deeply appreciated. You will note that I have corrected the title to read accordingly:)

Marge (not verified)

at 02:07 on May 31st, 2009

Rhonda when using the title Prince, it's just Prince Harry without any reference to Wales.

The title of Prince/Princess of Wales is given to the heir to the throne so when Prince Charles becomes king, William will become the Prince of Wales.

Although both William and Harry are William Wales and Harry Wales

It's all bull, but there we are!

Rhonda J Mangus

at 03:32 on May 31st, 2009

Thanks, Marge. Nevertheless, it is quite appropriate to refer to Prince Harry (whose actual name is Henry Charles Albert David) as Prince Harry of Wales and to Prince William as Prince William of Wales.