Fun-loving Prince Harry is back as he throws himself into the fun of a children’s party – even eating Maltesers off the floor as part of the festivities.
It’s been a while since the UK has seen a more relaxed Duke of Sussex – but that side of his personality was very much on show at a fun event hosted by charity Scotty’s Little Soldiers to support the bereaved children of military personnel.
On another whistle stop tour to Britain, Harry got right into the spirit of things at the party, putting a bucket on his head to entertain the kids and clinching first place in a strawberry lace eating contest.
Moments into arriving at the party the Prince whipped off his jacket and as children pelted him with plastic balls. He was also on the winning team for the fastest consumption of a strawberry lace sweet.
The Prince was sadly less successful with another party game – rolling Maltesers into someone’s mouth with a ruler. However – all the dropped chocolates were snaffled by Harry, picking them up from the floor and eating them.
Harry was asked how many Maltesers he’d eaten off the floor and he said “at least three.” He added: “By that point it started to get a little bit weird.”
The Duke was also treated to a Lego figure of himself that he happily took away with him.
Prince Harry said: “What Scotty’s is doing with these kids is absolutely incredible and very needed as well,” reports the BBC, which was given exclusive access to the event.
He added: “The more opportunity you get to do these kinds of events, the more the families and kids know this place exists which is really the most important thing.”
The children at the party had all experienced the death of a parent and Harry shared his experience with them and offered advice on how to cope.
Scotty’s Little Soldiers was formed by Nikki Scott after her husband Lee was killed in Afghanistan in 2009.
She said: “I would imagine Prince Harry got so much from that room and had so much fun and joy that I wouldn’t mind betting that he’s probably thinking about those children right now because it does that you, it really makes you think, these children are incredible,” reports the BBC.
The drop in at the party comes after the Duke visited London for an Invictus Games ceremony at St Paul’s Cathedral.
However he did not see his father King Charles despite him being just a few miles away at a Buckingham Palace garden party.
He and wife Meghan are now embarking on a visit to Nigeria where they will follow a packed itinerary which includes watching a volleyball game and visits to military hospitals and charities in Abuja and Lagos.
