Prince Harry Cheers On ParalympicsGB Athletes As Ellie Simmonds Wins Bronze Medal

Prince Harry joined the crowds to cheer on Britain's Paralympic stars on Tuesday before hailing the "remarkable achievement" of war hero turned discus star Derek Derenelagi.

The royal, who was making his second public appearance since pictures were published of him naked and partying in Vegas, laughed and joked with the former soldier, who lost both legs in an horrific Afghanistan bomb blast five years ago.

The dedicated 37-year-old has become one of the truly inspiring stories of the games, having competed in front of a packed-out Olympic Stadium last week.

Harry came face-to-face with the war veteran poolside as they watched Ellie Simmonds' 50m freestyle qualifier.

Fiji-born Derenalagi was initially pronounced dead following the devastating blast in 2007.

As he lay in a hospital bed recovering, his resilience meant he became the unwitting inspiration behind the Help for Heroes charity.

And he marked an inspiring turnaround last week by performing in the discus, finishing 11th.

The pair laughed and joked as Harry praised his journey to the 2012 Paralympic Games.

Derenalagi said: "He (Harry) asked me about my performance last Friday and I told him that I was very proud to have competed for ParalympicsGB but a little disappointed in my performance.

"He said that he thought it was a remarkable achievement to have gone from the frontline to representing GB again at the Games, and that I have a lot to offer ParalympicsGB."

Harry spent 45 minutes happily posing for pictures with members of ParalympicsGB poolside.

Earlier, he visited the Copper Box to cheer on the women's goalball in which Britain beat Denmark 5-0.

Harry holds the ball to hear the bells inside

Meanwhile, ParalympicsGB were back in the medals as Sophie Christiansen became Britain's first triple gold medallist of the games.

The 24-year-old, from Maidenhead in Berkshire, who has cerebral palsy, also secured a British Paralympic record 11 medals in one Games for the equestrian team.

Ellie Simmonds was 'chuffed' with her third medal

Simmonds was crowned with her third medal of the games - getting bronze in the 50m freestyle on Tuesday evening, adding to her two golds in the pool during an incredible week.

Speaking after today's race, she said: "I'm so happy. I'm really chuffed to get a bronze medal, I can't believe it - I was only looking to get a pb."

Meanwhile, there was double delight in the archery, with Danielle Brown beating fellow Brit Mel Clarke in a tense women's individual compound final at the Royal Artillery Barracks - which went down to the final arrow.

And Heather Frederiksen wept after securing her first gold medal as she triumphed in the 100 metres backstroke.

It capped yet another impressive day for ParalympicsGB and takes the medal tally to 72 - including 21 golds - just over half-way through the games.

Prince Harry poses for photgraphs with Great Britain swimming gold medalist Jessica-Jane Applegate when he visited the Aquatics Centre

But it was disappointment for tennis star Peter Norfolk, nicknamed "The Quadfather", who was the flagbearer for the games.

The 51-year-old crashed out in a shock defeat at the quarter finals stage, despite being heavily tipped for a medal.

There are further medal hopes in the Olympic Stadium, as David Weir - who achieved gold in the 5000m on Sunday - goes for a second gold in the 1500m event.

The International Paralympics committee revealed that Oscar Pistorius will not face censure, following the South African's controversial comments on competitors' blades.

The South African apologised for his outburst after he was beaten in the 200 metres final by Brazil's Alan Fonteles Oliveira on Sunday night.

IPC communications director Craig Spence said: "There will be no disciplinary action against Oscar for his comments."

A date is still to be set for a meeting between Pistorius and the IPC, with arrangements being made through official channels.

CLICK HERE TO SEE OUR LIVE PARALYMPICS 2012 PICTURES OF THE DAY