HARRY’S A BIG DRAW
Duke ‘relaxed’ on Palace appearance
Prince Harry, Duke of Sussex and the Patron of the Rugby Football League, hosts the sport’s World Cup 2021 draws at Buckingham Palace. The tournament will take place from October 23 through to November 27, in 17 towns and cities across England.
FOR ALL the turmoil that has engulfed the Royal Family in recent days, the Duke of Sussex’s professionalism in the public sphere continued unabated yesterday despite intense speculation over his future.
After making the shock announcement on Tuesday evening last week that both he and his wife, Meghan, plan to quit as senior Royals, Prince Harry stepped out into the very bright glare of the public spotlight yesterday for his first official engagement.
Despite a week which began with an unprecedented Royal summit to discuss the Sussexes’ future roles, Harry appeared relaxed as he took part in the Rugby League World Cup 2021 draw at Buckingham Palace.
He even batted off a journalist’s question about his next move, smiling to a member of his entourage when he was asked: “How are the discussions going on your future?”
Comedian and presenter Adam Hills was part of a group of executives and players from the 21 competing nations at the event, and he praised Harry for being up to date, despite his turbulent few days, with the heartbreaking story of rugby league great Rob Burrow.
Burrow, 37, from Pontefract, announced last month that he had been diagnosed with motor neurone disease, but the former Leeds Rhinos scrum-half, one of the game’s greatest ever players, pledged to fight the incurable condition to try to see his three young children grow up.
Sydney-born Hills, who was yesterday representing Australia, said Harry had chatted about Burrow’s benefit match at Headingley on Sunday, and added:
“That for me shows the kind of duty and commitment to rugby league that he has.”
The host of the Channel 4 satirical show, The Last Leg, added: “That in amongst everything else that’s going on in his life, that he is aware of the rugby league story of the year.”
Dozens of photographers lined a makeshift mini rugby pitch on the lawns in the palace’s garden, waiting for the Duke to arrive.
Harry, dressed in a smart suit and tie, smiled and joked when he was welcomed by RLW2021 chief
Look after the grass though, yeah? Otherwise I’ll get in trouble.
The Duke of Sussex jokes with children from St Vincent de Paul RC Primary School.
executive Jon Dutton and nonexecutive director Stuart Cain.
Children from St Vincent de Paul Catholic Primary School in Westminster gave a rugby demonstration as the Duke chatted to the executives. Harry joked with the youngsters, telling them to look after the palace grass or he would get in trouble.
Posing for a team picture, he teased them, saying: “Some of you are really warm ... Some of you haven’t been running around.”
As he headed inside, he quipped: “Look after the grass though, yeah? Otherwise I’ll get in trouble.”
The global tournament is the pinnacle for rugby league and will take place in October and November in 17 English cities. During yesterday’s draw, Harry pulled out the first ball, which decided England’s men’s team will face Samoa in the opening game.
The Duke was announced as the Rugby Football League’s patron in December 2016, but it is not yet known what will happen to this patronage and his 13 others as he carves out his new life.
Royal aides are working to find solutions to the crisis caused by Harry and Meghan’s plans to become financially independent and split their time between the UK and Canada. The couple made the announcement after admitting they had struggled with intense media scrutiny.
The Duchess of Sussex was yesterday in Canada with the couple’s eight-month-old son, Archie.
Harry is remaining in the UK into next week, taking part in meetings as talks continue on the couple’s future.
The Queen, who made a statement on Monday supporting Harry and Meghan but expressing her regret, has called for final decisions on the complicated arrangements to be made in the coming days.