Prince Harry wasn't able to see Princess Charlotte until she was three weeks old. He then missed her christening because he had already committed to joining conservation projects in Southern Africa. Talking about the vital work he is carrying out, the royal joked that he was "a bad uncle" for not being there when Prince William and the Duchess of Cambridge, née Kate Middleton, marked their daughter's big day.
© Photo: Getty ImagesAccording to the Mail on Sunday, the Queen's grandson made the comments when chattitng with conservation workers about their families. Simson Uri-Khob who runs Save The Rhino said: "(The Prince said) 'What a bad uncle I am! I should really be there. But today I am here, this is where I want to be'."
The conversation then turned to the difficulties of dating while accompanied by bodyguards. "We asked him asked what about if you're with a girlfriend. Are they around then? "Harry said, 'unfortunately yes, more than ever. But I know how to handle that'."
The lighthearted discussions came as the former military pilot helped track lions in the 10,000sq mile Palmwag Reserve in Namibia’s north-west Kunene region.
During this summer's three-month-long "dream" assignment, the Prince has also been at the Khulula Care for Wild centre in South Africa.
The British royal decided to visit the rhino conservation site after hearing about its manager, Petronel Niewoudt, one of the world's leading experts in infant rhino care.
The 30-year-old was accompanied on the trip by two bodyguards and Hugh Grosvenor, who is son of the Duke of Westminster and godfather to Prince George.
Martin Bornman, project manager, said the prince had been "extremely gentle and capable" as he helped feed and care for the rhinos. Harry has said he regards this visit as as a "reccy" which will inform his and William's anti-poaching campaign.
© Photo: Getty ImagesHarry is understood to have joined Operation Corona, an anti-poaching campaign led by the government, and went on night patrols with an army unit made up of several hundred infantry, 400 armed rangers and policemen fighting the battle against poachers.
The Prince joined operations at a military camp in Kruger Park, one of the largest game reserves in Africa and home to the Big Five animals, as well as black and white rhinos.
