Full of fun, but was this his last engagement?
...and is this a deliberate message in their own video?
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.
He was at Buckingham Palace for a long-held diary commitment to launch the Rugby League World Cup, which will be held in Britain next year.
But later his social media team gave what could be seen as a major clue that Harry 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 own life.
Earlier, all eyes were on the prince on what could be his last official duty with the British royal media pack after he and Meghan – who have objected to critical reporting about themselves – said that in future they would allow only hand-picked journalists to cover their appearances.
In a bravura performance that showed that he has not lost his sense of humour, Harry clowned about, indulged in banter with an Australian comedian, and even laughed out loud when a reporter shouted a question at him 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 a group of Year 6 children from the local St Vincent de Paul Catholic primary school play tag rugby in the palace gardens.
Walking through the historic Bow Room and on to the palace terrace, he made a notable effort not to look at the waiting media before walking down on to the glass, checking his polished shoes for mud.
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 out: ‘How are the discussions going about your future?’ In recent years the impertinent question would have drawn a scowl from the more often than not surly prince, but this time he laughed out loud.
Back inside the palace he hosted the draws for the men’s, women’s and wheelchair Rugby League World Cup tournaments, which are being held together for the first time.
Harry, who is patron of the Rugby Football League, was given a helping hand by the organisers, who helped him avoid an awkward photo opportunity by ensuring he was unable to draw Canada in the women’s event. He gave a short speech, but avoided making any personal references, talking instead about the importance of mental health.
The prince has given his support to the Rugby League World Cup 2021’s decision to adopt a mental fitness charter for the tournament aimed at training players, officials and volunteers.
He also met Adam Hills, the Australian comedian who hosts Channel 4 show The Last Leg. Hills was born without his right foot and plays physical disability rugby league. Referring to Harry, Hills said afterwards: ‘I have never seen him not in a good place. He is always friendly, always chatty.’