Prince Harry has left a lucky group of schoolgirls giggling, after he stopped to chat briefly with a handful of the 70 flag-waving students.
Of the schoolchildren who were invited to meet with the 32-year-old after the Commonwealth Service at Westminster Abbey on Monday, there was one particular young lady who left an impression on the much-loved royal.
It’s reported that Tiya Thornton, 12, enquired of the royal, “Are you the real Prince Harry?” to which the Prince replied: “Yes, the other one is Ed Sheeran.”
Harry roared with laughter before sharing the exchange with the Dean of Westminster, John Hall, who was walking alongside him.
“Did you hear what they just said?” he said, pointing toward the children.
Hilarious!
Earlier in the day, Prince Harry accompanied his grandmother Queen Elizabeth II for the annual Commonwealth Day service of thanksgiving at Westminster Abbey.
The 90-year-old monarch’s husband Prince Phillip, sons Prince Edward and Prince Charles – and wife the Duchess of Cornwall – were also in attendance.
The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge, who last year attended the service to celebrate the Queen’s 90th birthday, were notably absent from the day’s events.
Prince William was with friends, indulging in a Swiss ski holiday.
It’s believed Kate, George and Charlotte stayed at home, while the 34-year-old enjoyed a boys’ weekend with his mates including nightclub boss Guy Pelly.
The group were snapped looking very happy, and even chatting to other guests and staff from the upmarket ski resort including 24-year-old Australian model Sophie Taylor.
The pretty blonde works at the Farinet nightclub, which is where Wills and his group were reported to have enjoyed some down time.
The Daily Mail chatted to Sophie’s boyfriend Aaron Goodfellow, who met the future king and described him as a “great guy” and “very down to earth.”
Kensington Palace commented on William and Catherine not attending the royal engagement, saying, “The duke and duchess have attended the event for the last two years and look forward to doing so often in the future.”
Before briefly touching on the dad-of-two’s trip to Switzerland, remarking, “His schedule was private and we would not comment on it.”
Prince William wasn’t the only royal to miss Her Majesty’s important event.
The 90-year-old’s daughter, Princess Anne was in Wales on an official engagement while Sophie, the Countess of Wessex was in Malawi on a Commonwealth-related trip.
Other notable attendees included Prime Minister Theresa May, Geri Halliwell and daughter Bluebell Madonna, as well as Olympian Jessica Ennis-Hill, who was charged with carrying the Commonwealth baton.
Armed with her trusty black handbag, the Queen looked sunny in yellow as she highlighted respect and understanding for one another as the cornerstones of peace in her annual message to the Commonwealth.
In the message, printed in the event’s order of service, Her Majesty writes: “The cornerstones on which peace is founded are, quite simply, respect and understanding for one another. Working together, we build peace by defending the dignity of every individual and community.”
”By upholding justice and the rule of law, and by striving for societies that are fair and offer opportunities for all, we overcome division and find reconciliation, so that the benefits of progress and prosperity may be multiplied and shared.”
“As members of the Commonwealth family, we can find much to be thankful for in the inheritances we have received from those who came before us. Through consensus and cooperation, great things have been achieved.”
The royals appeared to be in high spirits at the event which is organised annually by The Royal Commonwealth Society.