Prince Harry celebrated Anglo-Brazilian relations today describing how the two countries were "forging bonds that will stand the test of time".
The royal's comments came as he launched the Great initiative in Rio de Janeiro - a £25 million campaign that aims to capitalise on the London Olympics and Queen's Diamond Jubilee and attract millions more to visit, study and do business in the UK during the next few years.
Sugar Loaf mountain - Rio's landmark - was the venue for the event and the best of British was on display from car brands with long associations with Britain - Bentley, Aston Martin, Mini and Jaguar - to leading fashion labels including Vivienne Westwood, Stella McCartney and Burberry.
Culture Secretary Jeremy Hunt and Chris Holmes, Britain's most successful Paralympic swimmer, the winner of 15 medals and the director of Paralympic Integration for London 2012 joined the prince for the event.
Harry told the audience who included artists, cultural leaders, entrepreneurs and opinion-formers from across Brazil: "It's wonderful to see here tonight so much that is truly Great about Britain - and particularly about our flourishing partnership with Brazil.
"In business, the UK is now Brazil's fourth largest foreign investor. In education, innovation, technology, fashion, and even in shopping, Britons and Brazilians are forging bonds that will stand the test of time, and take us forward together into the 21st Century.
"I feel that it's going to be a great era for our two countries, for the friendship between us. Something like a marriage - now, there's an idea."
Rio is one of 14 key cities identified for Britain's biggest ever tourism campaign, including Mumbai, Sao Paulo, and Shanghai.
The launch followed others in New York and Los Angeles and the campaign will head to New Delhi, Melbourne and Tokyo.
Amongst the guests was model Lilly Cole, a supporter of the Great campaign, who said: "There are things that Britain does that are here to be celebrated, I'm proud to be part of that celebration and I think it's wonderful to be in Rio too, and Brazil is doing so amazing as a country - it is an exciting time."
Model Lilly Cole was among the guests
Also among the guests was Brazilian TV talk show host and underwear model Luciana Gimenez - who had a child with Rolling Stone Mick Jagger. Gimenez looked stunning in a blue bandage mini dress.
When Harry first arrived at Sugar Loaf mountain he was greeted by scores of screaming girls and Uniao da Ilha, a Samba band which paraded at this year's Rio Carnival but he resisted the urge to move to the pulsating rhythms.
The royal's keynote speech was introduced by the Culture Secretary and footballer David Beckham, who spoke via a video, and told the prince to "get the party started like only he can".
In his address Harry joked about his brother the Duke of Cambridge being a bad dancer, saying: "But everything about Rio makes you want to dance. I'm just so thankful that my brother isn't here because he might actually do it... and that would not be cool."
The royal described how it had been a burning ambition of his to come to the country: "I can hardly believe I'm here.
"Over the years, I've seen and heard so much about this extraordinary place - in fact, ever since my father told me about a certain dance he once had with a beautiful girl called Pinah.
"It just seems to have stuck in his mind for some reason..."
Brazilian born designer, Daniella Helayel, founder of the label Issa, a favourite with the Duchess of Cambridge and who created her much copied engagement dress was also a guest.
Ms Helayel staged a fashion show at the event, much to the delight of Prince Harry who smiled broadly and clapped during the presentation of her designs.
Guests at the event dined on a special menu devised by the renowned British and Brazilian chefs, Marcus Wareing and Roberta Sudbrack.
Prince Harry also toured a presentation of James Bond memorabilia which included Odd Job's bowler hat and the Sugar Loaf mountain cable car that featured in the scene of a showdown between the Bond villain Jaws and Roger Moore's Bond in the 1979 Moonraker.
Later today Harry will start, and take part in, a Sport Relief mile run with groups of children and young adults.
Brazilian Adriana Behar, one of the world's outstanding beach volleyball players of her generation, will take a training session on Rio's Flamengo beach tomorrow with Harry as one of her pupils.
And the prince will join former rugby player Wayne Morris, now head of community at Premiership Rugby, for a touch-rugby session.
Rugby is a growing sport in Brazil and will be an Olympic sport for the first time in 2016 when Rio hosts the Games.
During the day Harry will also tour a Rio favela or slum to see various projects from a cricket match, to a community centre and health unit.