FULL OF FUN, BUT WAS THIS HIS LAST ENGAGEMENT?
Harry in playful form as he faces Press at the Palace
PRINCE Harry laughed off his woes yesterday as he faced the world for the first time since he and Meghan announced they would be stepping down as senior royals.
The prince was at Buckingham Palace for a diary commitment to launch the Rugby League World Cup, which will be held in the UK next year.
But later his social media team gave what could be seen as a major clue that he is preparing for a farewell. They posted an Instagram video showing him looking poignantly behind him as he walked into the palace’s Throne Room.
The video was accompanied by the 1989 song This Is The One by Manchester indie band The Stone Roses – which includes the line: ‘I’d like to leave the country, for a month of Sundays.’ Other lyrics include: ‘A girl consumed by fire, we all know her desire from the plans she has made... It may go right. It may go wrong. This is the one she’s waited for.’
Royal sources said the song was suggested by the world cup organisers and was not intended in any way as a commentary on his life.
Earlier, all eyes were on the prince on what could be his last official duty with the royal media pack after he and Meghan – who have objected to critical reporting about themselves – said in future they would allow only hand-picked journalists to cover their appearances.
In a bravura performance that showed he has not lost his sense of humour, Harry clowned about, indulged in banter with an Australian comedian, and laughed when a reporter shouted a question at him
No sign of the ensuing turmoil
about his future plans.
Showing his face for the first time since he and Meghan ‘blindsided’ the royal family – leaving the Queen ‘deeply hurt’ – by announcing their plans to live in Canada without any warning, the prince betrayed no sign of the ensuing turmoil.
He smiled as he chatted to wheelchair rugby star James Simpson and female player Jodie Cunningham before watching children from the local St Vincent de Paul primary school play tag rugby in the palace gardens.
As always he was charm personified with the youngsters – a warmth that will be missed from royal events – asking whether they were too cold and gently teasing those who said yes that they hadn’t been running enough. He also told them: ‘Look after the grass, though, yeah – otherwise I’ll get in trouble!’
As he walked back into the palace for the draw, a reporter shouted: ‘How are the discussions going about your future?’ In recent years the question would have drawn a scowl, but this time Harry laughed out loud.
The organisers then helped the prince avoid an awkward photo opportunity by ensuring he was unable to draw Canada in the women’s event.