Getting some practice in? Uncle-to-be Harry changes a nappy with one hand as he visits brain injury charity with James Cracknell
- Prince Harry visited Headway, a brain injury charity in Nottingham
- The 28-year-old Prince met with James Cracknell and Johnson Beharry
- Later he visited Russell Youth Club in St Ann's to see community projects
- Practiced boxing with 11-year-old boy and heard raps
- Signed his name on a graffiti wall
He is about to become an uncle for
the first time - but William and Kate might not want to let him near
their little one quite yet.
Asked
to tackle the tricky task of changing a baby's nappy with one hand
today, Prince Harry didn't exactly pass the test with flying colours.
The
Prince, who admitted he had never even changed a nappy with two hands
before, was given the challenge when he visited a charity that helps
people with brain injuries.
Fortunately
for all concerned Harry was only practising on a plastic doll - which
was probably just as well, considering that grabbing babies by one leg
to flip them over on to their front is not normally accepted childcare
practice.
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Prince Harry, pictured with brain injury survivor Dominic Hurley, turns the dummy baby on its front
Faced with changing a baby's nappy with one hand today, Prince Harry didn't exactly pass with flying colours
Prince Harry changes a nappy with one hand at Bradbury House. with brain injury survivor Dominic Hurley
Prince Harry wears a glove to experience what it is like to have a brain injury
Prince Harry wears a pair of goggles to experience what it is like to have a brain injury
Helicopter pilot Harry was undertaking engagements on behalf of a variety of charities and organisations
And even he admitted that he might have to hone his skills before being let loose on a real live baby.
'All the mothers will be, don't let me anywhere near the children,' he said.
Rather worryingly he joked: 'This is actually how my brother is going to be.'
The Prince was visiting the Nottingham
headquarters of Headway, where Dominic Hurley, 40, told him how after a
moped accident in Cyprus when he was 21 doctors said he would never
walk or talk again.
Mr Hurley, from Rotherham, had a much
fuller recovery than expected, but weakness on his right side means that
he had to change his baby daughter's nappy with one hand.
After watching Harry's performance, he said: 'He was brilliant - except for the last bit when he put her on her front.'
Prince Harry grins as he unveils a plaque at Headway, beneath a photograph of his late mother
Kate's bump was more visible at the National Portrait Gallery last night in a bespoke Emilia Wickstead dress
First on his whistle-stop tour of the city was the UK-wide charity that works to improve life after brain injury
Prince Harry speaks to a group of children after arriving at Headway, the brain injury association
Prince Harry chats to children at Headway brain injury association to open its new headquarters
Prince Harry kisses brain injury survivor Mary Dery during his visit to Headway
Prince Harry talked and joked with children who seemed to be enjoying his company
He joked: 'She stayed asleep all the time - she didn't cry once.'
In another insight into the
difficulties faced by people with brain injuries, the Prince donned a
long rubber glove and tried identifying an object hidden in a bowl of
rice, to mimic the loss of sensation that can be caused by brain injury.
'It's got indentations, it feels like a xylophone key,' he said, before pulling out a mobile phone.
The Prince was following in the
footsteps of his mother, Diana Princess of Wales, who was patron of the
charity from 1991 to 1996.
'My mother as patron very much admired
Headway and the vital work it does,' he said. 'Today's short visit his
enabled me to get a real understanding of the accidents which happen and
change people's lives.'
James Cracknell (L) and Corporal Johnson Beharry
(R) arrive at Headway, the brain injury association at Bradbury House
during Prince Harry's official visit to Nottingham
Less than a week after he announced he
was going to take part in a race to the South Pole, the Prince found
himself given another challenge - to join a trek on behalf of the
charity with double Olympic gold medallist James Cracknell and Johnson
Beharry, who in 2005 became the first living recipient of the VC for 30
years.
They will be taking part in one of two
challenges for the charity next year: one trekking from one side of the
Scottish Highlands to the other, and one trekking, cycling and kayaking
across Devon, from the sea to the source of the River Dart.
Prince Harry looked tempted but was giving nothing away. 'I'm not going to commit to it,' he said.
But Sgt Beharry, who is an ambassador
for the charity, said he thought that they had persuaded him. 'I think
we did the job. Time will tell.'
Mr Cracknell, vice president of the charity, said brain injury was the 'hidden illness'.
He said: 'You are walking and talking
and people think you are OK. I can live unaided, but that does not mean
there are not more subtle things, like getting angry at different
things. I have no sense of smell or taste, which means that my kids are
not very happy when I cook, because everything tastes rubbish.'
Sgt Beharry, who suffered flashbacks,
separated from his first wife and attempted suicide, remarried a year
ago and is now expecting a baby. He said: 'I am about 70% better. I will
never get to 100%, but maintaining where I am is key.'
Prince Harry signs his name on a graffiti wall during his visit to Russell Youth Club
One day he may be asked to sign papers of state.
But today the only official signature Prince Harry was asked to give was his 'tag' on a graffiti mural of his name.
The prince laughed as he picked up a paint marker and scrawled Harry
25/4/13 on the wall at the Russell Youth Club in Nottingham before
posing for pictures with the painting's creator, Steven Dilks.
Although the place was crawling with police, fortunately for the third
in line to the throne it was an entirely legal enterprise.
Afterwards Steven said: 'He was a cool guy. Did a great job.'
St Anne's is an inner city area of Nottingham that has suffered in
recent years from rising gun crime and the youth club is playing an
important role in helping to give disaffected children a chance to get
off the streets.
The prince was met by dozens of cheering and flag-waving local schoolchildren wearing red, white and blue bowler hats.
Once inside, his first stop was a community recording studio where local
children can rehearse and perform together in every musical genre from
rap to classical for free.
He appeared genuinely blown away by the talent performing for him,
saying: 'You were awesome, absolutely awesome. I can see what it has
done for you but presumably you have brothers and sisters and are
worried about the path they are going to take.
Harry's signature on the graffiti wall outside the youth club
Prince Harry waves to the crowds outside after his visit to Russell Youth Club, Nottingham
'Everyone has a talent, it's just about how you manage to extract it.'
Rapper
Greg Miller, 21, who has been performing for six years with the
Community Recording Studio, said afterwards: 'I guess this helps
re-enforce a more positive image for us. We have worked so hard, this
place is a like a family to us. Its good that he can help get that
message out.'
Before he
left the good-natured prince was even persuaded to step into the boxing
ring with some of the students of KK Boxing, which is run by reformed
gang member Marcellus Baz as a way of installing discipline in hard to
reach youngsters.
Harry was partnered up with 11-year-old Shabaz Baz who donned a pair of gloves while the prince put on a set of sparring pads.
Shabaz
didn't hold back in the presence of royalty, prompting Harry to grimace
and say: 'Remind me never to get in the ring with you again.'
Afterwards he chatted with Shabaz, who has been boxing for five years already and signed his gloves.
He
laughed as another youngster asked he him if he goes to war for a job.
'Well, I am in the army if that's what you mean,' said Harry.
He was then asked if he would become king.
'No, that's my father Prince Charles,' he said.
'Well what about after that,' the little boy persisted?
'You have nothing to worry about ,' Harry laughed, 'there is no chance of that ever happening.'
Prince Harry gets in the ring with 11 year old Shabaz during his visit to Russell Youth Club, Nottingham
Shabaz didn't hold back, prompting Harry to say: 'Remind me never to get in the ring with you again'
Before he left the prince was persuaded to step into the ring with some of the students of KK Boxing
Prince Harry at KK Boxing, which is run by reformed gang member Marcellus Baz
