Daily Mirror

Life will always be all right, you know

Harry’s kind words to boy who lost mum

- BY RUSSELL MYERS Royal Correspond­ent russell.myers@mirror.co.uk

HE was just 12 when his own mum died. And yesterday Prince Harry shared a heartfelt message of hope with a bereaved boy.

The Duke of Sussex told six-yearold Otia Nante, whose mother killed herself when he was one: “Life will always be all right, you know that.”

The touching moment came as Harry and wife Meghan stopped to chat with the youngster during a walkabout in Auckland, New Zealand.

The prince spent several minutes comforting Otia and his grandmothe­r Te Nante, who said Harry then turned to Meghan and said: “[I have a] beautiful wife, baby on the way.

“Your life is going to be sorted, don’t you worry about that.”

Mrs Nante, 52, who looks after her grandson, also told local news: “Harry said, ‘Everything will be fine, you will grow up to be strong and positive’.”

The duke, 34, praised Mrs Nante and showed gratitude for the role the Queen played in raising him after the death of his mum Diana in 1997.

He said: “You’re doing a great job, Nan. Nans are so important in our lives.” As they met other well-wishers, pregnant Meghan was seen bonding with a little girl over a cuddly toy and clutching her baby bump.

Earlier, the couple shared a lighter moment while “welly wanging” with schoolchil­dren – seeing who can throw Wellington boots the furthest.

Harry threw first for his team, comprising two pupils from the city’s

Pinehill Primary School. The duchess, 37, was last to throw from her team, which had been lagging behind.

Cheered on by pupils shouting “Go Meghan”, her throw clinched it for her team, who won a trophy. The youngsters said the duchess was delighted. Ryen Anderson, 10, said: “She didn’t know she could throw that far and she surprised herself. She was pleased we’d won.” The couple closed the 15th day of their royal tour of Australia and New Zealand by visiting Pillars charity, which supports children who have a parent in prison.

They praised young people who had achieved sporting or academic excellence despite family difficulti­es.

Harry told them: “Both Meghan and I are thrilled to be able to spend time with you during our first visit to Auckland together.

“The support of Pillars helps to break the cycle. It helps to create choices which didn’t previously exist for many young people.”

 ??  ?? HOPE CHAT Otia Nante and Prince Harry yesterday MATERNAL Meghan bonds with a youngster PUT BOOT IN Meghan’s winning throw vs Harry’s HANDS-ON The Duchess holds bump
HOPE CHAT Otia Nante and Prince Harry yesterday MATERNAL Meghan bonds with a youngster PUT BOOT IN Meghan’s winning throw vs Harry’s HANDS-ON The Duchess holds bump
 ??  ?? HAPPY Meghan & Harry
HAPPY Meghan & Harry

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