The Tribune

DELIGHTED spectators gathered at Rawson Square yesterday to greet Prince Harry as he toured the Queen's Jubilee Exhibition in Rawson and Parliament Squares. Representing his grandmother Queen Elizabeth II for the first time, the 27-year-old prince will meet with thousands of the nation's youth at a rally and cultural show at the National Stadium today. Later today, the prince will inspect nearly 100 honour guards at the Royal Defence Force Base, according to officials, and will also lay a wreath at HMB Flamingo monument. The troupe of 96 guards is the largest group in the RBDF's history. Prince Harry's visit is the second stop on a celebratory tour of Commonwealth countries on behalf of his grandmother, who is celebrating her Diamond Jubilee this year. Speaking to the cheering crowds at Rawson Square yesterday, he said: "The Bahamas holds a special place in Her Majesty's heart. Her love for this realm and you, the Bahamian people, stretches back over the decades, right to that first visit in 1966." During his address, Prince Harry highlighted the accomplishments of The Bahamas during the 60-year reign of his grandmother, whose coronation was held on June 2, 1953. "The Bahamas has flourished in education, where 90 per cent of your teachers are Bahamian-trained; in sports, where you plan to send a team to London for the Olympics; your development and infrastructure, which has seen such rapid growth, both in public works and such forward-looking projects as The Elizabeth Estates, which is named after my grandmother. "These provide good, low-cost housing to Bahamian families," he said. Prince Harry added: "The Bahamas has made these huge strides, guided with surety by its political leaders and its eight Bahamian Governors-General - from Sir Milo Butler to Sir Arthur Foulkes. As a country, its growth and prosperity are matched only by its continuing power of welcome." The first diplomatic engagement was a courtesy call on Governor-General Sir Arthur and Lady Foulkes at Government House on Mount Fitzwilliam. The prince exchanged gifts with Sir Arthur and Prime Minister Hubert Ingraham, who presented him with two pieces of artwork - a painting and a ceramic piece. Also present were Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs Brent Symonette; former Governors-General Sir Orville Turnquest, Dame Ivy Dumont and Arthur Hanna; President of the Senate Lynn Holowesko, and Speaker of the House of Assembly Alvin Smith. Prince Harry recently qualified as an Apache helicopter pilot, and is a captain in the British Army Air Corps. Outfitted in the No 1 Tropical Dress of The Blues and Royals, Prince Harry also attended a morning prayer service at Christ Church Cathedral yesterday. The uniform consists white tunic and blue trousers with the cavalry's distinctive red stripe down the side. The prince wore the light blue beret of the Army Air Corps, instead of the traditional forage cap, gold epaulettes, and three medals - his Afghanistan campaign medal, the Queen's Golden Jubilee medal and her Diamond Jubilee medal. According to reports, Prince Harry had never before worn the ensemble publicly. Crowds gathered outside the church as fans waited to catch a glimpse of the young prince. The shrieks of delight continued as he shook hands with eager spectators during his walkabout of the exhibition depicting the Queen's reign. Following his remarks, Prince Harry cut the ribbon and unveiled a portrait of his grandmother erected alongside the statue of Queen Victoria, Queen Elizabeth II's great-great grandmother. The Governor-General then escorted him on a tour of the exhibition displayed in Rawson and Parliament Squares. Most notably were the Queen's first official visit in 1966, the opening of the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM) in 1985 and her return official visit in 1994. Officially known as Prince Henry of Wales, he arrived on Saturday from Belize and is scheduled to leave for Jamaica tonight. The prince will then travel to Brazil to help launch a government trade mission in Rio. Last night, the prince boarded a Royal Bahamas Defence Force vessel for Eleuthera, where he will visit young defence force officers. Prince Harry will also travel to Staniel Cay, Exuma, briefly touring the Exuma Land and Sea Park, followed by a visit to Windermere Island where his parents, Prince Charles and Princess Diana, vacationed during their honeymoon. He is also expected to meet with a cousin -- India Hicks, granddaughter of Lord Mountbatten of Burma, and his late mother's bridesmaid, who now lives in the Bahamas. Prince Harry is the youngest son of Charles, Prince of Wales and the late Diana, Princess of Wales, and the fourth grandchild of Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh. He is third in the line of succession to the throne.