Latest Press Release
Prince Harry to visit New York City
14th June 2010
Prince Harry is to make a three-day visit to New York, 25th – 27th June, where he will visit a number of military and veterans organisations to explore ideas about how British and American veterans charities might work together to support returning wounded Servicemen and women on both sides of the Atlantic. As patron of the charity Map Action, Prince Harry will visit UNICEF’s Emergency Operation centre, in order to gain a deeper understanding of emergency humanitarian response. The Prince will also take part in the Veuve Clicquot Polo Classic in support of American Friends of Sentebale, the US branch of the charity of which Prince Harry is Patron.
We are not yet able to confirm when His Royal Highness (HRH) will be arriving in New York, but the first official function will be on Friday 25th June, 2010. HRH will observe field exercises and meet with cadets at The United States Military Academy at West Point.
Additionally, HRH will attend a reception at the Intrepid Sea Air Space Museum in support of British and American veterans.
On Saturday 26th June, The Prince will tour the UNICEF Emergency Operation Center. He will gain a better understanding of how geospatial mapping is used to more effectively coordinate relief and rescue after a disaster. Joining him will be a representative of British charity Map Action, which specializes in mapping crisis areas to allow other relief agencies to coordinate their efforts.
In the afternoon, HRH will throw the first pitch at the New York Mets vs Minnesota Twins baseball game at Citi Field. Joining Prince Harry for the game will be British and American veterans who have served in Iraq and Afghanistan. Mets owner Fred Wilpon is a founder of Welcome Back Veterans, a charity which provides support and treatment for returning soldiers suffering with Post Traumatic Stress Disorder.
On Sunday 27th June, HRH will undertake an additional engagement with veterans during the morning (venue to be released on Monday 21st June.)
HRH will also compete in the Veuve Clicquot Polo Classic. The match, on Governors Island, will raise funds for the American Friends of Sentebale, the American arm of The Prince's charity that aids children in Lesotho. Members of the public will have access to the match.
Editors Notes:
- This is The Prince’s second visit to New York. He first visited in May 2009.
- Sentebale, meaning “forget me not” in Sesotho, was founded by Prince Seeiso from the Lesotho Royal family and HRH, in response to the plight of Lesotho’s neediest children. In particular, the charity supports herd boys, who live in the mountains and don’t attend school; victims of domestic violence and sexual abuse who cannot live at home; the deaf, blind and disabled; as well as orphans.