Prince Harry playfully ruffles a young fan’s hood as he opens a youth zone in East London

The Duke of Sussex is just weeks away from becoming a father to his firstborn child with wife Meghan.

And Prince Harry, 34, proved his paternal side as he greeted waiting crowds outside ‘Future’, the new Youth Zone in East London’s Barking and Dagenham on Thursday.

The expectant father was there to open the new youth facility, which aims to provide young people with more activities, and was seen playfully ruffling the hood of a waiting young fan.

He shared a gallery of pictures to his 4.4 million followers on his official Instagram account shortly after the visit. 

The Duke of Sussex, 34, greeted waiting crowds as he opened ‘Future’, the new Youth Zone in East London’s Barking and Dagenham on Thursday

And Prince Harry proved his paternal side as he was seen playfully ruffling the hood of a waiting young fan.

And Prince Harry proved his paternal side as he was seen playfully ruffling the hood of a waiting young fan.

Once inside he greeted a delighted well wisher, accepting a gift from the youngster before exploring the facilities

Once inside he greeted a delighted well wisher, accepting a gift from the youngster before exploring the facilities

Once inside he greeted a delighted well-wisher, accepting what appeared to be a baby gift from the youngster before exploring the facilities.

Dressed in a smart grey blazer and crisp white shirt, Harry cut a handsome figure as he spoke to employees at the new space. 

The purpose built facility for the borough’s young people has been created by the charity OnSide Youth Zones, which is developing 21st century youth facilities across the UK. 

‘Future’ Youth Zone provides a safe environment where young people can come and enjoy themselves, build key skills and raise their aspirations and confidence to create a happier and healthier generation. 

Prince Harry's visit was documented on his Instagram account today, @sussexroyal, which has over 4.4 million followers

Prince Harry’s visit was documented on his Instagram account today, @sussexroyal, which has over 4.4 million followers 

The Duke of Sussex posted this picture to Instagram. He looked overjoyed to get his hands on a rugby ball during his visit, and didn't let his smart attire hold him back from getting involved with the fun and games

The Duke of Sussex posted this picture to Instagram. He looked overjoyed to get his hands on a rugby ball during his visit, and didn’t let his smart attire hold him back from getting involved with the fun and games 

It is the first of three OnSide Youth Zones in London expected to open this year.

Harry went on to share a gallery of images from his visits to the centre, which he previously visited with his wife Meghan Markle. 

He took on the visit today solo, but looked to be having a fantastic day taking part in a whole host of activities. 

The father-to-be posted posed for pictures with a group of teenagers taking part in the Box Up crime scheme, which is a youth organisation aiming to get children out of gangs in the local area.   

The royal posted several photographs as he met teenagers involved with the  Box Up scheme, a social youth organisation that aims to keep young people out of gangs

The royal posted several photographs as he met teenagers involved with the  Box Up scheme, a social youth organisation that aims to keep young people out of gangs

 On his arrival he was greeted to a rockstar like welcome, with hoards of screaming people excitedly taking photographs and waving union flags.  

During his visit the Duke was pictured meeting young people who have been involved in the development of the new Youth Zone, as they took part in a number of activities and workshops showcasing the facilities, before unveiling a plaque to mark the visit.

He was pictured enthusiastically taking part in ball games, as well as helping out with rock climbing and arts and crafts.   

 Harry also joined members of Barking and Dagenham (BAD) Youth Forum and Youth Zone members as they shared their perspectives and experiences of knife crime, amidst a national rise in incidents, and discussed potential solutions.  

The crowds were seen shouting in excitement as Harry took the time to greet them individually during his visit today

The crowds were seen shouting in excitement as Harry took the time to greet them individually during his visit today 

Dressed in a smart grey blazer and crisp white shirt, Harry cut a handsome figure as he spoke to employees at the new space

Dressed in a smart grey blazer and crisp white shirt, Harry cut a handsome figure as he spoke to employees at the new space

The forum has already worked with councillors and police to voice their concerns about youth crime and violence in the area. 

Barking and Dagenham Youth Zone, which was given its name by local young people, will be open 7 days a week for those aged 8 to 19, and up to 25 for those with additional needs. 

The Youth Zone will offer sports, music and arts activities as well as access to qualified youth workers offering support and advice on issues affecting the community the most such as mental health and employability.   

Harry has previously highlighted his belief that every child should be given the opportunity to fulfil their potential, regardless of their background or situation

Harry has previously highlighted his belief that every child should be given the opportunity to fulfil their potential, regardless of their background or situation

Harry  joined members of Barking and Dagenham (BAD) Youth Forum and Youth Zone members as they shared their perspectives and experiences of knife crime, amidst a national rise in incidents, and discussed potential solutions

Harry  joined members of Barking and Dagenham (BAD) Youth Forum and Youth Zone members as they shared their perspectives and experiences of knife crime, amidst a national rise in incidents, and discussed potential solutions

Duke of Sussex meets a wellwisher as he attends the official opening of the Barking & Dagenham Future Youth Zone

Duke of Sussex meets a wellwisher as he attends the official opening of the Barking & Dagenham Future Youth Zone

BAD Youth Forum was created in 2001, to give young people a formal and recognised platform to express their views on issues affecting their lives and communities, and a way to make a positive impact on their community. 

Today the forum, comprising of 13 to 19 year-olds elected by peers in schools and youth groups, continues to have a say and influence on policy makers. 

Harry has previously highlighted his belief that every child should be given the opportunity to fulfil their potential, regardless of their background or situation. 

This will be third time that Harry has visited an OnSide Youth Zone, having previously visited Wigan Youth Zone in July 2016 and the Hive Wirral Youth Zone in January 2019 with The Duchess.  

Harry took part in a number of activities and workshops showcasing the facilities, before unveiling a plaque to mark the visit

Harry took part in a number of activities and workshops showcasing the facilities, before unveiling a plaque to mark the visit

During his visit the Duke was pictured meeting young people who have been involved in the development of the new Youth Zone

During his visit the Duke was pictured meeting young people who have been involved in the development of the new Youth Zone

The Duke of Sussex started a wall climbing competition at the centre while enjoying his visit

The Duke of Sussex started a wall climbing competition at the centre while enjoying his visit

This visit also furthers the ongoing work The Duke of Sussex is doing with The Royal Foundation to explore the solutions to youth violence that young people themselves wish to see. 

His appearance follows the news that the Duke and Duchess of Sussex will announce the birth of their baby once they have had an opportunity to celebrate privately as a new family, Kensington Palace announced today. 

Meghan is expected to have a midwife-led home birth at Frogmore Cottage in Windsor, the new home she shares with Prince Harry on the Berkshire estate.

She will follow in the footsteps of the Queen, who was born at the Mayfair home of her grandparents and gave birth to all four of her children at either Buckingham Palace or Clarence House.  

The Duke of Sussex shared a joke as he attended the official opening and looked touched by the gift from the young girl

The Duke of Sussex shared a joke as he attended the official opening and looked touched by the gift from the young girl 

He was photographed enthusiastically hugging her to say thankyou, while other beaming children looked on

He was photographed enthusiastically hugging her to say thankyou, while other beaming children looked on 

Prince Harry spoke to young people at the official opening of the centre on his third visit to an Onside Youth Zone

Prince Harry spoke to young people at the official opening of the centre on his third visit to an Onside Youth Zone 

 A Kensington Palace spokesman said: ‘The Duke and Duchess of Sussex are very grateful for the goodwill they have received from people throughout the United Kingdom and around the world as they prepare to welcome their baby.

‘Their Royal Highnesses have taken a personal decision to keep the plans around the arrival of their baby private. 

‘The Duke and Duchess look forward to sharing the exciting news with everyone once they have had an opportunity to celebrate privately as a new family.’ 

The Duke of Sussex shook hands with lots of the children at the site, and helped to open a rock climbing  competition for these youngsters

The Duke of Sussex shook hands with lots of the children at the site, and helped to open a rock climbing  competition for these youngsters 

He also watched several children play table tennis, and crouched down to chat to some young boys

He also watched several children play table tennis, and crouched down to chat to some young boys 

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