Prince Harry visits Borough Market to meet traders who were caught up in London Bridge terror attack

PRINCE Harry has visited London's Borough Market today to meet traders and restaurant owners whose staff and customers were caught up in the recent terrorist attack.

The 32-year-old visited the tourist hotspot this morning, one day after it reopened yesterday following a poignant minute's silence to remember the victims of the atrocity.

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He was seen chatting to traders and enjoying samples of cheese and baked goods as he toured the market, which is London's oldest fruit and vegetable market.

He praised the resilience and spirit of London as he offered his condolences to the victims of the devastating fire at Grenfell Tower in west London.

Fruit and vegetable trader Paul Wheeler spoke to the prince and told him how he and other traders were sending boxes of produce and other donated goods to families made homeless by the blaze.

He said after meeting the prince: "Harry said 'those poor people, our thoughts go out to them'."

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The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge and Harry have made an undisclosed donation to an appeal fund supporting the survivors of the fire.

A Kensington Palace spokesman said: "Prince Harry was keen to come down as soon as possible to spread the message this vibrant market is open for business."

Harry also walked along the street where the attackers stabbed people enjoying a night out.

The three terrorists were shot dead near the fruit and veg stall run by Mr Wheeler, who said that after the market had experienced the harrowing attack, he was moved by help those caught up in the tower block fire.

Mr Wheeler, 51, said: "Prince Harry asked us how we were getting on and said, 'It's great that you are back to it. You are back, you are lucky'. We can all get back trading again.

"What happened here last week was tragic. What happened over there (Grenfell Tower) yesterday was unthinkable. Those people have only got what they are standing up in.

"The bakers here in Borough Market have baked extra bread, we're getting food from all the traders and taking it over to west London today.

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"It was us last week - now its our turn to help and give them something this week.

"It was a really emotional day for us yesterday - we were opening up for the first time and then we heard about the fire."

In a lighter moment, Harry was offered a box of donuts when he visited the Bread Ahead stall, and he put his hand in his pocket and paid £15 for the award-winning sweet treats, which are known as "pillows of joy".

He joked about the cost, saying, "How much? £15?", before handing the box to a member of his entourage.

The prince also toured a number of stalls trying produce and chatting to the owners about their experiences following the attack.

Matt Jones, owner of Bread Ahead, which supplied produce for William and Kate's wedding, said later: "I was away when the attack happened and my son had finished work in here - it was horrific.

"There would have been eight staff working and two of them got involved. Everybody reacts in their own way, they were brave and went out of their way.

"There were two girls being attacked outside and they literally threw bread crates at them. They grabbed the only thing they could in the moment.

"Yesterday we saw many of our regular customers come back, it was so encouraging."

A fund for traders hit by business losses since the attack has also been launched to offer financial support.