The Royalist - Princes Visit 'Harry's Hero'

Princes Visit 'Harry's Hero'

Written by Joanne Leyland

Sunday, 20 April 2008

Prince William and Prince Harry have made a morale-boosting visit to an army rehabilitation in Surrey.

The royal visit saw the newly promoted Lieutenant Wales meeting up once again with Ben McBean, the seriously injured soldier hailed as ‘Harry’s Hero’.

Making their first appearance before the cameras after a disastrous week of PR relating to their use of a Chinook helicopter to travel to Peter Phillips’ stag party, the Wales brothers were back on safer ground as they arrived a short time ago to carry out a joint engagement together at the Headley Court Rehabilitation Centre in Epsom in Surrey.

It’s here that Ben McBean is receiving ongoing treatment. His plight has received widespread coverage after Prince Harry spoke of the bravery of the soldier who lost an arm and a leg in a mine blast as he and his colleagues fought the Taliban on the front line in Afghanistan.

Just last week it was revealed that the Royal Marine faced new heartbreak after being diagnosed with the MRSA bug.

As previously documented here, the seriously injured soldier returned home to Britain aboard the same flight as Prince Harry on March 1st.

Asked how he felt at being hailed a 'hero' following his ten-week tour of duty in Helmand province in Southern Afghanistan, the 23-year-old prince refused to accept the title, preferring instead to speak about (and in the process highlight) the bravery of his injured colleagues.

During today's visit, the brothers appeared relaxed as - with Harry sitting casually on the arm of a chair - they listened intently to sometimes harrowing personal stories about the realities not only of life on the front line but the suffering which is continuing now the soldiers are back home.

Before posing for an official photograph with all those they met, William and Harry chatted with primarily young soldiers from a number of regiments, including the 1st Battalion Grenadier Guards and 4th Battalion The Rifles.

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Other Visitors Comments

Name: Emily Elizabeth Windsor-Cragg	Comment: It's such a relief to see "service-to-Others" when it comes up in the younger generation. Hoorah! EEWC

Name: M-M	Comment: Harry seems very like his mother - knowing just what to say to cheer people up

Name: Monika	Comment: Thanks, Tracey and Rachel. Talk about a 'duh' on my part! Lol!!!!!!!!

Name: Rachel	Comment: I think that the necktie is in their regimental colours. We can't assume that this visit is a PR exercise because of the Chinook controversy. Royal visits are usually planned well in advance because of security and so on. There could be a connection; but then again there might not be.

Name: boloita	Comment: This visit was planned weeks ago. Hasn't got anything to do with the last week's "bad publicity".

Name: Monika	Comment: Good for them! Their own service may be restricted, but they can show support and boost moral. On a lighter note…is there a significance to the red and blue necktie? I'm just wondering as in the middle photo it looks as if they’re dressed like twins.

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