Harry goes solo

THERE is no finer illustration of the Commonwealth’s ability to “connect cultures”, the theme of the Queen’s address yesterday to celebrate Commonwealth Day, than Prince Harry’s enchanting solo visit to the Caribbean and South America.

By The Newsroom

Published 13th Mar 2012, 09:49 BST

“I personally had no idea how much warmth there was towards the Queen, to me that’s been very humbling, and I was actually quite choked up seeing the way that they’re celebrating her 60 years,” said the young prince. They are words that speak for themselves.

However Prince Harry’s charity work in Lesotho, and now a desire to extend this to every continent of the world, is further evidence of the Commonwealth’s continuing evolution at a time of global change, even in the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee year.

Yet, while some still regard the Commonwealth as an out-of-date institution, the Prince’s charm offensive shows that the Commonwealth – described by his grandmother as an “extraordinary cultural tapestry” – remains as strong as ever. Long may this continue.