Prince Harry showed his fatherly side as he shared his popcorn with a pal’s daughter at a volleyball match tonight.
The royal, who has long admitted to feeling rather broody, cuddled adorable Emily Henson, two, the daughter of former Invictus competitor and Paralympian, David Henson.
Harry, 33, was seated with the Henson family in the stands for the UK v Denmark match at the Invictus Games in Toronto.
Former Royal Engineer Mr Henson, who was with his wife, Hayley, had both his legs blown off by an IED in Afghanistan in 2011.
He went on to captain the first U.K. Invictus Games Team in London in 2014 and was so successful that he went on to qualify as a ‘blade runner’, wining bronze at the 2016 Paralympics.
He has since become a good friend of the prince, who was out without his girlfriend Meghan Markle, tonight.
Prince Harry stuck his tongue out at Emily Henson, the two-year-old daughter of his friend and Paralympian David Henson, as they watched the volleyball at the Invictus Games in Toronto on Wednesday with her mother Hayley
Harry, who is a doting uncle to Prince George and Princess Charlotte, was enamored with the little girl
He focused his attention on two-year-old Emily even when she was more occupied with the game
Despite her absence on Wednesday, Harry said Meghan was ‘loving’ the Invictus Games – her first taste of royal life after appearing with Harry in an official capacity for the first time.
The Prince revealed her passion for the Paralympic-style event for injured servicemen he set up three years ago when he met cycling competitors in Toronto this afternoon.
‘I asked him how his girlfriend was enjoying it and he said ‘she loves it, she’s loving the games,’ which is awesome’ said former US air force master sergeant Kyle Burnett, 37.
However, the Suits star might not be so keen on her boyfriend’s packing skills as he seems to have arrived in Toronto with only one pair of trousers.
Harry, 33, arrived at High Park to watch the recumbent cycling race, wearing his favourite £70 Dockers this afternoon for the third day running.
Hopefully he has been availing of the laundry service at the five star Fairmont Royal York where he’s staying with current temperatures in Toronto currently hitting 27C.
Paying no heed to any type of protocol, two-year-old Emily was seen diving into Harry’s popcorn box
Harry, 33, who has made no secret of his love for children, was only too happy to share his snack
The pair appeared to mimic one another’s silly expressions at times during the match
Harry was in high spirits for the fourth day of the sporting event on Wednesday
He was engrossed in the action on the volleyball court, grimacing and gasping as the players battled it out
Prince Harry, 33, arrived at High Park in Toronto earlier in the day wearing his favourite navy chinos, believed to be £70 Dockers for the third day running
The royal looked to be in good spirits as he joined athletes and guests at the Invictus Games today although his girlfriend, Meghan, was nowhere to be seen
Yesterday, Harry appeared to be wearing the same trainers and chinos he wore on Monday as he cheered on competitors at the golf
Harry debuted his favourite chinos on Monday when he attended the wheelchair tennis
On Wednesday, he chose to pair his beloved trousers with a long-sleeved denim shirt from Everlane – a brand that is much-loved by his girlfriend, who was seen toting one of their handbags during the couple’s first public appearance together on Monday.
Yesterday, Harry attended the cycling time trials at High Park in the same trousers and an Invictus polo shirt.
He was also wearing the same Adidas trainers he wore on Monday for his first official public outing with Meghan to watch the wheelchair tennis.
Today, Reese Hines, 36, provided something of an eye-popping moment for the prince as he toured the cycling teams at High Park in Toronto.
He explained: ‘My fiancée and I were standing there and she was explaining to him about my prosthetic right eye. He said it looked real and somebody had a great job making it.
The prince was seen hugging Ivan Castro who was injured in Iraq more than a decade ago
Prince Harry, who wore a long-sleeved denim shirt by Everlane, gives a thumbs up to a competitor at the 2017 Invictus Games in Toronto
The Prince paused to chat with a young royal fan who had come to watch the games
Harry mania! Young royal fans were eager for a chance to shake hands with the prince
Harry was in his elements and he also revealed that his girlfriend is ‘loving’ the Invictus Games
Harry chats with cyclists as he attends the Cycling Criterium time trial at High Park
Pleased to meet you! Harry shakes hands with a delighted young fan
‘I told him I had a couple of others, one has my occupation badge on it and he asked if it was easy to take in and out. Kyle said “Go ahead, take it out”. Harry was kind of squeamish about it.’
Former US Air Force master sergeant Mr Hinds had his right eye removed following a skull fracture he sustained when an IED exploded in Afghanistan in 2011.
His fiancee Kyle Burnett suffered a traumatic brain disorder and has PTSD from a rocket attack in Iraq in 2009.
She said: ‘The socket’s not bad. You’re not going to see his brain. He said “its more he fact that he’s taking it out of his eye.” People think they’re like marbles that roll across the ground.’
The royal is making it his mission to attend as many events as possible to show support for the athletes
Prince Harry held a competitor’s crutches so that he could hold his flag and medal aloft
Royal fever: The prince has received a very warm welcome during his time in Toronto
The royal has been making his way around the city attending as many events as possible
The royal was keen to lend his support to competitors in the recumbent cycling, and revealed that his girlfriend Meghan has been ‘loving’ the Games
Cheerful Harry has been on a high all week since his first official public appearance with Meghan Markle
Prince Harry meets up with an athlete as he attends the Cycling Criterium time trial
‘Reese likes to pop it out and put it in somebody’s drink. It’s his party trick. At least we didn’t do that for the prince.’
The couple, from Eagle River, Alaska, are both medically retired and she is taking part in various sports and games.
They are planning their wedding for next June and Miss Burnett added: ‘You can tell him that we are inviting him to our wedding.’
Mr Hines added: ‘He was real personable and there was no sense of him being in the royal family. He seemed like a normal military veteran.
The royal congratulates a competitor after the cycling event at High Park in Toronto
rince Harry hugs Ivan Castro as he attends the Cycling Criterium time trial during the Invictus Games
‘It has been an incredible experience. It’s been real fun to see when people win and even when people don’t win you can tell they’re doing their best and are happy that they got to compete.’
‘Having people finish the race is a lot of people’s goals.’
His fiancé said of the prince: ‘The fact that he’s used his status to bring this to the world stage is phenomenal.
‘He can reach the world and show that these folks aren’t done. That’s the worst thing that anyone can do to us look at us differently. You can tell it’s very near and dear to him. He’s making sure no-one gets left behind.’
Mr Hines added: ‘He’s served beside us and now he’s able to put these games on and stands with us as we’re competing.’
The prince was clearly in his element as he soaked up the atmosphere at the cycling race
Cheerful Prince Harry poses with kids as he attends the Cycling Criterium time trial during the Invictus Games
This year is the biggest event yet with some 550 competitors from 17 nations taking part in 12 adaptive spots, such as swimming, athletics and tennis.
Harry is making it his mission to attend as many training sessions and events as possible to watch participants competing in all 12 sports, including athletics, cycling and wheelchair basketball.
His girlfriend Meghan attended the opening ceremony on Saturday but was not seated with her boyfriend, but after their outing on Monday royal fans are hoping the couple will make another appearance together before the games finish.
Harry catching up with Ivan Castro who has also run the Boston Marathon and the Virgin Money London Marathon in aid of Harry, William and Kate’s Heads Together campaign
Harry applauds competitors taking part in the recumbent cycling race
Harry was at the starting line of the recumbents cycling race to cheer on the competitors