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Prince Harry visits 9/11 site, relatives of victims

BRITAIN'S Prince Harry has been all business on his first official trip to the United States, but he'll have an opportunity for fun before wrapping up his two-day visit to New York.

Yesterday afternoon, the 24-year-old prince was to participate in a polo match on Governors Island in New York Harbor, facing off against Argentinian polo player and heartthrob Nacho Figueras.

It's fun with a serious purpose, however. The Veuve Cliquot Manhattan Polo Classic will benefit the US arm of Harry's Lesotho-based charity, Sentebale, which aids the African country's impoverished children.

Earlier in the day, Harry was scheduled to see the Harlem Children's Zone, a community organization that offers families social and educational services. The prince will be accompanied by Sentebale's co-founder, Prince Seeiso of Lesotho.

Harry - famed for his youthful, at times embarrassing, escapades - began his trip on Friday with a prayerful stop at the site of the 9/11 terror attack.

At the World Trade Center, he spent about 15 minutes quietly speaking to a half-dozen relatives of 9/11 victims.

Among them was Chip Callori, whose brother, Joseph Amatuccio, was killed.

"It's a very kind gesture on his part - for him to realize that this is a sad but important part of our history," said Callori.

On a chain-link fence overlooking the 9/11 memorial under construction at ground zero, Harry attached a wreath of peonies and white and yellow roses. Standing alone, he bowed his head in silence for a few minutes.

A handwritten note on the wreath read: "In respectful memory of those who lost their lives on September 11, 2001, and in admiration of the courage shown by the people of this great city on that day." It was signed, "Harry."

Harry walked along the southern perimeter of the 16-acre site, stopping to pore over rebuilding plans two officials showed him. He peppered officials with questions about the construction.

At the firehouse across the street that houses Engine 10 and Ladder 10, which lost five members on September 11, the prince shook hands with firefighters, then stepped in to admire their equipment as they talked and laughed.




 

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