THE CLOWN PRINCE
Prince Harry meets circus performers on stilts as he’s given an incredible welcome to Zambia
The royal told the young performers ‘I see the great strides you are taking every day in the service of others’
PRINCE Harry received an energetic and “spectacular welcome” from brightly dressed Circus Zambia performers during his visit to Africa.
The royal said he was "excited" to see the social circus company where the voices of young people from vulnerable backgrounds "are heard".
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Circus Zambia provides educational and job opportunities to those aged from five to 21, reaching over 5,000 young people annually.
The organisation, whose clowns and acrobatic performances have been seen in the US, Ethiopia, Japan, China and the UK, provides educational and employment opportunities.
Prince Harry told the young performers: "I see the great strides you are taking every day in the service of others and how lives and communities are being impacted by this work.
"And I can see the satisfaction you get from it too which is fantastic. When you give, you receive so much more."
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The Duke of Sussex spoke of his "complete joy" at seeing the work of The Queen's Commonwealth Trust in Zambia, labelling it a "global movement for good", led by the youth of today.
Harry, who is in the southern African country on a two-day trip without the Duchess of Sussex, passed on greetings from Meghan, who is expecting their first child.
He told members of the alumnae network of the Campaign for Female Education (Camfed): "I know my wife, Meghan ... sends her very best wishes to you all."
Harry also said he and the duchess had been inspired by their recent trip to Fiji, Tonga, New Zealand and Australia, saying: "My wife and I met so many young people who were quite literally changing the lives of their communities with innovative, creative ideas and quality leadership.";
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Prince Harry has also today met with military veterans in Zambia during events to commemorate those who served in the First and Second World Wars.
The Duke of Sussex, who served in the British army, wore his military medals on a civilian suit as he greeted Zambian servicemen in uniform, and posed for photographs at the Burma Barracks in Lusaka, the Zambian capital.
In a speech at a reception hosted by the British High Commissioner in Lusaka, he pointed out that "there are many well-established British companies here already and more are arriving.
"By creating jobs and wealth, the private sector is a catalyst to ending poverty.
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"Zambia also boasts an impressive portfolio of natural assets - from extraordinarily precious ecosystems, to natural resources, both of which harnessed responsibly and sustainably, will bring prosperity to the entire country."
He praised the British Chamber of Commerce for being “exemplary” in efforts to contribute to Zambia’s economic development – “making it easier to do business in Zambia, and encouraging more British companies to trade and invest here”.
The prince also visited BongoHive, a Zambian technology and innovation centre that helps entrepreneurs.
The royal said he was “very much" looking forward to meeting these "young entrepreneurs and seeing their projects in action".
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He added: “What began as a place to build skills and assist start-ups has evolved into an organisation that has supported and launched some of the most exciting new companies in Zambia and beyond.”
He repeated his mission to support roles that “are dear to my heart".
"As president of the Queen’s Commonwealth Trust and as Her Majesty’s Commonwealth Youth ambassador, I am committed to celebrating young people across the Commonwealth who are making a difference in their communities,” Prince Harry added.