Prince Harry made an unannounced visit to London’s Borough Market on Thursday morning, meeting local traders and restaurateurs whose staff and customers were caught up in the recent terrorist attack.
Harry, 32, visited the scene of the tragedy — where a trio of fanatics killed eight people and injured 48 more as part of their deadly terror-driven rampage — the day after the popular marketplace reopened for business.
A Kensington Palace spokesperson said of the visit: “Prince Harry was keen to come down as soon as possible to spread the message this vibrant market is open for business.”
Upon arrival, the much-loved royal was greeted by Borough Market security officer Ganga Garbuja who was on duty the night of the attack, bravely leading several people to safety.
He also went behind the stall at “Bread Ahead,” a bakery run by Matt Jones, 47, whose staff bravely fought off the attackers with brooms and crates.
“The business was in full operation. I was at home at the time but I had staff working on the night of the attack,” he told the royal. “Two of them got involved throwing bread crates at the attackers to try and save one of the women being attacked. It was really bad.”
After listening intently, the fifth-in-line to the throne took the opportunity to praise the resilience of Londoners, saying: “The strength of this community and London as a whole is magic.”
In a touching show of support, he also purchased six jam-filled doughnuts from the vendor.
Tempted by the many pastries on offer, the young royal snapped up a box of six jam-filled doughnuts.
The 32-year-old also stopped to taste some chorizo from a charcuterie stall.
Last week, the Duchess of Cambridge paid a visit to King’s College Hospital in Denmark Hill, south-east London, to meet with survivors of the shocking terror attack.
During the appearance which was not publicised in advance, Kate, 35, privately visited the bedsides of six patients who are still being treated.
The mother-of-two, who was dressed in an understated navy blue skirt suit and coordinating point-toe pumps, also spoke with staff at the facility who rallied in the aftermath of the city’s June 3 terror attack.
She made sure to shake hands and exchanged words with many.
The Duchess made the surprise visit to the hospital in the early afternoon.
She listened intently as doctors and nurses alike shared their memories and recollections of the atrocity.
The mother-of-two was sure to query whether staff had received enough support following the attacks.
“I suppose at the time you didn’t know how big or what the extent of the incident was,” she told hospital staff. “You just got your heads down and got on with it. The response was amazing. I presume you are trained to cope with this but hope this kind of incident never happens. What you do is remarkable.”
The Duchess was also overhead asking a female staffer if she had received enough emotional support in the wake of the atrocity.
She responded: “We look after each other.”
The kind-hearted efforts of the British Royal Family have been warmly accepted by a city in pain.
