Harry mania sweeps Washington!
US: Prince Harry, back in the US after the naked Vegas photos
controversy, was at his charming best with ladies squealing in
excitement at the sight of the British Royal, who met Michelle Obama at
the White House.
On a week-long tour of the US, he arrived here yesterday to promote
Britain and his charities.
Rarely has such squealing been heard in the corridors of the Capitol
when the 28-year-old third-in-line to the British throne turned up for a
visit yesterday.
And then more squealing when he appeared at a White House tea party
for an unexpected drop-in with a crowd of stunned military mothers and
grandmothers.
And he topped it off with a glittering, sweltering, intimate
gathering of American VIPs at a reception and dinner at the British
Embassy, the USA Today reported.
But yesterday was mostly about the festive, and never mind
Washington's typical humidity, although Harry was seen to wipe his brow
at the reception this evening. Earlier, he was the one who caused women
to feel faint and children to squeal.
“Well, surprise!” exclaimed first lady Michelle Obama, co-hosted by
second lady Jill Biden at the White House party, as tables of women and
kids clapped and cheered and Harry blushed and grinned beside her. Harry
arrived at Dulles International Airport yesterday afternoon on a
commercial flight from London for the first day of a week-long visit to
the US to promote Britain, raise money for charity and cheer on wounded
veterans. He headed first to Capitol Hill to see an exhibit on clearing
land mines (a cause dear to heart of his late mother, Princess Diana),
accompanied by Senator John McCain. While touring the exhibit, Harry was
interested and animated and flashed many broad smiles. Every time the
crowd outside of the rotunda caught a glimpse of him through the arches,
cheers echoed in the space.
McCain was impressed. He told reporters later that Harry was
charming, funny and genuinely interested in land mine clearance (he's
now the royal patron of the group). McCain was especially amused at the
reaction of the crowd to Harry. “I've never seen in all my years here
such a one-gendered crowd,” he joked.
Next, Harry made a surprise visit to the White House where he met
Michelle Obama, who was co-hosting a Joining Forces event in honour of
military mothers. As has Harry, the two women have made supporting
military families a signature cause.
- DECCAN HERALD, AFP |
