Prince Harry Pays Tribute To Queen Elizabeth II, A 'Wonderful Caring Grandmother'

Prince Harry Pays Tribute To The Queen 'A Wonderful Caring Grandmother'
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Prince Harry has paid tribute to Queen Elizabeth II at a state banquet in Jamaica, praising not only her ability as monarch but also her family role as a "wonderful, caring grandmother".

The royal spoke publicly about his admiration for the monarch describing her devotion to others as an "inspiration" during a tour in Jamaica held to mark her Diamond Jubilee.

Harry has travelled to the Caribbean country on behalf of his grandmother the Queen to celebrate her 60-year milestone with its people.

In a speech delivered before the banquet held at King's House, Kingston, the official residence of the Governor-General of Jamaica Sir Patrick Allen, the prince said: "If I may, just for a moment, I would like to take this opportunity to pay a personal tribute to my grandmother.

"For me, as for millions of people around the world, her lifetime's service to others is truly an inspiration.

"But she combines all her virtues as a leader and as a head of state, with those of being a wonderful, caring grandmother - to whom we, her grandchildren, are utterly devoted."

The third in line to the throne has already travelled to the Bahamas and Belize in honour of the monarch's six decades as head of state.

Before his speech Harry dubbed Usain Bolt the "second" fastest man in the world after his victory over the 100 metre world record holder.

The royal basked in his victory over the athlete when he was presented with a sculpture of the famous sprinter he beat after a little skulduggery yesterday.

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On your marks: Harry surprises Bolt with his speedy start

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Going for gold: Harry laughs as he beats Usain

Jamaica's prime minister Portia Simpson Miller gave Harry the artwork, showing Bolt in full flight, when they met before the dinner which saw guests dine on Jamaican curry pumpkin bisque and jerked sea bass fillet.

As she handed over the bronze statue by Basil Watson she said "that's the fastest man in the world", the prince corrected her saying "second fastest".

When the prince met the sprinter at his Kingston training track for a coaching session he distracted the Olympic 100 metre champion then raced away to claim victory.

The prime minister has clearly warmed to Harry and when they posed for a picture next to a piano the politician slipped her left arm through Harry's arm and they briefly held hands.

Harry turned to the photographers in the room and joked "my date for tonight".

Amongst the guests at the dinner held in a large hall were politicians, diplomats and business leaders and a few famous faces including Nancy Dell'Olio.

Later on Wednesday the prince will spend an action packed morning with troops from the Jamaican Defence Force at Up Park Camp in Kingston.

He will take part in a close-quarter battle simulation, pick up a rifle for a live firing exercise on a target range then abseil down a tower.

Harry's tour of Jamaica will move to the north coast and the historic Georgian port of Falmouth where he will board a tourist train to see a newly built quay designed to host the world's largest cruise liners, before travelling into town.

At the William Knibb Memorial Church, named after the 19th century Baptist minister who campaigned for the emancipation of Jamaican slaves, he will lay a flower at Knibb's memorial in an act of homage to the great emancipator and remembrance for the wrongs of slavery.

The Prince will also visit St Peter's, a beautiful Anglican church, and tour Falmouth's Water Square meeting locals.

Harry will visit Good Hope Great House a former plantation home - now a hotel and tourist destination - and in the evening he will travel by boat to the Sandals Royal Caribbean hotel in Montego Bay for a reception.