Dashing Prince Harry Charms New York

It is not uncommon for New York to be inundated with royal visits. In the last two years, the city has entertained royalty from Prince Andrew to Queen Rania and now Prince Harry is joining the brigade of royals who have undertaken engagements in the Big Apple.

He arrived in New York today; he is on two-day diplomatic tour of the city. It is his first official engagement overseas representing the British Royal Family. His trip will wrap up tomorrow on Governors Island playing polo for his charity Sentabale.

His first stop was to the World Trade Center site where he placed a wreath on the fence and thereafter stood quietly with his head bowed to remember the victims of the 9/11 attacks. The note attached to the wreath was imprinted with his cypher and he had written on it the following words: “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.” He signed it simply Harry.

After the quiet contemplation at Ground Zero, the prince headed over to the British Garden at Hanover Square to plant a tree.

At the Manhattan Campus of the Veterans Affairs New York Harbour Healthcare System, the prince toured the prosthetics facilities and Post Traumatic Stress Disorder treatment clinic. Afterwards, he attended a private reception at the British Consul General's Residence in New York.

Tomorrow, he will visit the Harlem Children’s Zone and participate in the Veuve Clicquot Manhattan Polo Match which will be held on Governors Island. The proceeds from the charity event will benefit the American Friends of Sentebale. Sentebale was co-founded by Prince Harry and Prince Seeiso of Lesotho which assists Lesotho's orphans and vulnerable children ravaged by poverty, abuse and the HIV/Aids epidemic.

The BBC video clip, Harry lays wreath at Ground Zero, can be viewed here.

Photo: REUTERS