Prince Harry has finally wrapped up his Diamond Jubilee tour of the Caribbean, and it's been a life changing experience for the young royal.Reflecting on his time abroad representing the Queen, the 27-year-old was as honest and refreshing as ever – exactly the qualities that have won him so much admiration on his trip. The Prince revealed that the rapturous reception from the people of Belize, Jamaica and the Bahamas had left him "choked up".
"I personally had no idea there was so much warmth towards the Queen. To me that's been very humbling," he said. "She's thousands of miles away and yet they celebrated her in the way they did and made me feel so welcome, so I couldn't thank them more."
His comments came as he concluded his travels in Brazil, where he was promoting UK tourism in his role as trade ambassador.During a stop in the South American country, Harry took part in a charity fun run cheekily wearing a mask bearing a picture of his brother William.His agenda also incuded a beach volleyball tournament with local children and a charity polo match, where he caught the attention of an attractive female admirer.Brazil's Next Model presenter, Fernanda Motta kissed the royal bachelor on the cheek after the game – prompting Harry to give a thumbs up to the crowd.Before the trip, he received encouragement from one special person – his grandmother. "We had a great chat. She wished me luck and she said 'Enjoy it, I hope you do me proud" he added.
"It was a typical grandmother to grandson chat. I just hope that my grandmother is proud of what we've done." Harry's easygoing style couldn't have got the Jubilee tours off to a better start. His irreverent antics – cheating to beat Olympic athlete Usain Bolt in a race, and enveloping Jamaica's prime minister in a bear hug – have presented another side to the monarchy.
And the Prince hinted that his sense of humour may come from the monarch herself: "She is very funny but I think she gets it from my grandfather. They are very funny together.""My family is the same as any other family when it comes to humour behind closed doors, though I'd like to think I was funnier than my grandmother. "Certainly, the royal matriarch doesn't own a pair of blue suede shoes like the ones her grandson wore at a reggae party with Bob Marley's widow.Asked by commentators if he had taken style tips from the Duchess of Cambridge, whom he now affectionately calls "my sister", Harry replied "not yet".The royal prankster added: "The blue boots? Well Jamaica is Jamaica, it was the time to bring them out".
