Prince urges youngsters to grip their future

PRINCE Harry urged young people in Northern Ireland to grip their future as he hailed a cross-community project bringing thousands of children together as inspirational.

He and Meghan travelled to the site of the former Maze paramilitary prison outside Lisburn where around 2,500 young people gathered for the Amazing Space celebration.

The concert at the recently-built Eikon Centre saw teenagers from both sides of the community share their hopes and dreams of a peaceful and reconciled future.

Addressing a small group of Protestant and Catholic children, Harry said: “You are the younger generation, you’ve got to grip your future, which is exactly what you are doing, which is amazing.

“Having so many of you together is inspiring, so well done.”

During the visit, the Royal couple impressed their teenage hosts as they dispensed with formalities.

They stunned the unsuspecting children when they arrived to take their seats in the front row.

The also briefly joined some of the performers on stage at the end of the event when they were presented with a picture of a “peace tree”.

The couple also met a host of dignitaries including Northern Ireland Secretary Karen Bradley and DUP leader Arlene Foster.

During a video presentation demonstrating the positive impact sport has had on local society, the Royal couple watched Northern Ireland football supporters on the big screen singing the now anthemic Will Grigg’s On Fire song.