Prince Harry makes the draw for Rugby League World Cup

Prince Harry today raced through his first public appearance since he and Meghan quit – dodging any questions about their future at a highly-orchestrated Buckingham Palace event that could be his last job as a senior royal.  

The Duke of Sussex launched the 2021 Rugby League World Cup and betrayed little sign of the abdication turmoil that has engulfed him and caused major tensions with his 93-year-old grandmother, his father Prince Charles and brother Prince William. 

Harry had looked serious and was glued to his phone as he was swept into the palace in his Jaguar at around 11am – hours after he released a video urging men to avoid ‘grinning and bearing it’.

The Duke also appeared stern as he arrived in the palace garden but his face finally lit up as he watched children play tag rugby on the Queen’s lawn and giggled as he was told: ‘We started without you’. He joked back: ‘Look after the grass though, yeah? Otherwise I’ll get in trouble’.  

Then he appeared to laugh out loud when the assembled royal media, which he and Meghan despise, asked how talks about his future were going.  He ignored the question, striding back into the palace without saying a word – a poignant end to what could be his swansong as a frontline royal before moving to North America. 

It was only when he was inside he relaxed and clowned about, even indulging in banter with Australian comedian Adam Hills, who Harry told: ‘Your beard is fantastic. It is so beautiful. I’ve never seen that. And I’ve seen some beards’. 

And the sports-mad prince later played to the crowd during the tournament’s draw, making them laugh out loud as he turned his back while swirling the balls as he picked his beloved England’s opponents – to prove he wasn’t cheating.  

But organisers helped him avoid an awkward photo opportunity by ensuring he was unable to draw Canada in the women’s event, the country he plans to move to and where Meghan and Archie are already living for the foreseeable future.

Stood next to his rugby hero Jason Robinson and former Olympic rower Dame Katherine Grainger, now head of UK Sport, Harry did give a short speech, but didn’t mention his current woes, talking instead about the importance of sport and how good it is for mental health. 

He said: ‘First of all it’s an honour to be standing next to two sporting legends. From my perspective, from the experience I have had through my younger years, but also through Invictus and all the sporting events I am lucky enough to go to or watch…the input it has on young people and the community as a whole is remarkable.

‘Not only do I continue to see sport changing lives, but it’s saving lives as well. Whether it’s rugby league or sport in general – everyone, given the opportunity, it needs to be in everyone’s life’.

Harry has kept a low profile and has locked down in Frogmore Cottage, Windsor, since he went ‘nuclear’ eight says ago and told the Queen he wants to step away from duties. He plans to emigrate with his wife and child to Canada – who are currently 5,000 miles away in Vancouver.

And depending on whether a ‘Megxit’ deal on money, titles, duties and the Sussex brand can be struck with his grandmother, today’s sport event is certainly his last date in the royal diary for the forseeable future. 

Today he urged men suffering from mental health problems to avoid ‘grinning and bearing it’ ahead of his first major royal engagement since the bombshell last Wednesday.  The rugby league event was set up before Harry ‘went nuclear’.

Harry was at Buckingham Palace – the official residence of his grandmother the Queen, who has now sanctioned his decision – where he was hosting the Rugby League World Cup 2021 draw.

Dozens of photographers lined a mini makeshift rugby pitch on the manicured lawns in the Palace garden, waiting for the duke to arrive.

Harry, dressed in a smart suit and tie, smiled and joked when he was welcomed by the RLW2021’s chief executive officer Jon Dutton and its non-executive director Stuart Cain in the palace gardens.

Children from a local school gave a rugby demonstration as Harry chatted enthusiastically to the executives.

Harry then joked with the youngsters, telling them to look after the palace grass or he would get in trouble.

Posing for a team picture, he teased them, saying: ‘Some of you are really warm … Some of you haven’t been running around.’

As he headed inside, he quipped: ‘Look after the grass though, yeah? Otherwise I’ll get in trouble.’

The global tournament being staged by the UK is the pinnacle event for rugby league and will take place during October and November in 17 cities across England.

Harry was also introduced to two ambassadors for the global tournament – James Simpson, England and Leeds Rhinos wheelchair rugby league star, and Jodie Cunningham, a rugby league player in the Women’s Super League for St Helens.

In front of the group were 12 children from St Vincent de Paul Catholic primary school in Westminster, playing on a mini rugby pitch.

The youngsters are Westminster champions in tag rugby, a non-contact form of the game, for the last three years.

Mr Simpson made Harry laugh when he said: ‘We started without you’.

One of the reporters shouted out a question to the duke who has had a turbulent week trying to resolve questions about his future role in the monarchy.

The reporter asked: ‘How are the discussions going on your future?’ Harry, who was making his way into the palace, only smiled at one of his entourage and did not reply.  

He comfort away from the royal journalists was underlined later when he met representatives from the 21 nations taking part in the world cup, including Adam Hills, an Australian comedian who hosts the Channel 4 show The Last Leg.

Hills, who was born without his right foot, plays physical disability rugby league for Warrington Wolves.

As Harry joined Hills – who he has met before – he looked at the comedian’s beard and said: ‘The beard is fantastic! I love the fact that it is manicured in the middle. It is so beautiful!

‘I’ve never seen that. And I’ve seen some beards!’

Harry also said that he had been invited to appear on his chat show, which often makes fun of disability. ‘I’ve tried to come on to it,’ he said. ‘I’ve had an invitation but we’ve never managed to make it happen.’

He added that the show ‘breaks down barriers every single time’.

Hills said afterwards: ‘He said it is one of the best manicured and styled beards he has ever seen.

‘I said, ‘I promised that I would grow this until Brexit was sorted.’ And that it should be coming off on the 31st of January. And he said, ‘Well, let’s see.’

He also informed Harry that his particular style of beard was known as the ‘Geoff from Byker Grove’. He said: ‘On March 29 last year, when I had planned to shave it off, and amendments kept being made to Brexit, we made an amendment to the beard, and spun a wheel with eight different beard designs. There was the Abraham Lincoln, the Mr T. This was called the Geoff from Byker Grove. I have been stuck with this since March last year. I am genuinely hoping it comes off in three weeks’ time.

‘We have tried to get him on The Last Leg a few times, but it just never quite happens, especially around Invictus. He would be a good person to talk about disability sport.’

Asked about Harry’s mood, he said: ‘I don’t know what it has been like for him this week, but to sit here with a group of rugby league players, talking particularly about Rob Burrow – Rob Burrow is a Leeds player who found out a couple of weeks ago he has motor neurone disease… that for me shows the commitment to duty, and the commitment to rugby league he has. In amongst everything else that is going on in his life, he is aware of this – the rugby league story of the year. He is into rugby league. He knows what’s going on. I have never seen him not in a good place. He is always friendly, always chatty.’

Jason Robinson said it was ‘brilliant’ to see Harry. ‘I’ve done quite a few things with him over the years. Anything that I have ever seen Prince Harry involved in, he has been amazing. It was nice to see him today. We shook hands he gave me a hug. To have somebody like him to do this draw, at Buckingham Palace, it just does not get any better.

‘What happens between him and his good wife is nothing at all to do with me. What’s great about this is that it does not matter what is going on in the background, wherever he goes he still delivers. He is very respectful, very warm, very endearing. This draw would not have been the same had he not committed to it. We are very grateful for his time.’

Asked if he hoped he still stays in the sport, he said: ‘I am not sure what the future holds, but one thing I am quite certain is that, if you look at what Prince Harry has done to date, he cares about people – physically, mentally. He has gone all over the world – inspiring, caring, looking after people. I don’t think that will change. What capacity he does that, going forward, will be up to it. When you’ve got that in you, it will go wherever he is.’

Jon Dutton, the chief executive of the Rugby League World Cup 2021, said: ‘What today has shown is his passion and enthusiasm shining through for sport, rugby league and inclusivity.

‘He was authentic, engaging, genuinely passionate about what we are doing. He just has such a terrific interest in sport.’

Earlier today the Duke of Sussex made the impassioned plea for men to talk about depression just days after a crisis summit with the Queen at Sandringham in the wake of his decision to quit senior royal duties and move to North America. 

In what could be his final official engagement before joining Meghan Markle and baby Archie in Canada, Harry said: ‘It is not just about being physically fit but more importantly mentally strong. 

‘The perception of rugby league is that you need to be tough. You can’t show your feelings, you need to grin and bear it. 

‘But something like the Mental Fitness Charter will help us make real progress in getting rid of the stigma associated with mental illness,’ he said in a video message for start of a mental health initiative at the 2021 Rugby League World Cup launch.

The prince added: ‘So, I am proud to support the Rugby League World Cup 2021 Mental Fitness Charter.

‘This Charter will build on the brilliant work already happening in rugby league by committing to training and educating all those involved in the tournament, and the wider rugby league family, not only in how they can look after their own mental fitness but also support others to do the same.’ 

Yesterday the Duke posted an Invictus Games video to announce that the ‘story continues’ with Dusseldorf in Germany hosting his charity sports competition for wounded veterans in 2022.   

Harry’s appearance followed the first sighting of Meghan since the Sandringham summit. 

The Duchess, who was absent from the meeting, was seen smiling as she boarded a sea plane on Vancouver Island in Canada yesterday.

The Queen had revealed in a deeply personal statement that she had agreed for Harry and Meghan to begin a ‘new life’ as an ‘independent’ family, a move which Meghan is understood to have pushed for just 20 months after their wedding.

Prince Harry is expected to remain in the UK into early next week to hammer out the details of this unprecedented arrangement before heading back to join Meghan and Archie in Canada where they have been staying at the £10.7 million mansion where the family spent Christmas.

The Queen is said to have pressed for her officials find a solution to this abdication crisis within days, however, royal experts say it will take far longer. 

The Queen had written in her statement: ‘These are complex matters for my family to resolve, and there is some more work to be done, but I have asked for final decisions to be reached in the coming days.’  

The extraordinary meeting convened by the Queen was attended by Prince Charles and Prince William, while Meghan was in Canada with Archie.

There was speculation she had been barred from dialling in on the meeting from Vancouver for security reasons, however Palace sources have said the Sussexes decided themselves ‘it wasn’t necessary for the duchess to join.’

Following the summit, Buckingham Palace confirmed that the Sussexes were to have a ‘transition period’ and split their time between the UK and Canada. 

It is not clear how long this period will last, not least because of the complexities involved in their living ‘independent’ of the public purse.

The security bill alone for the Sussexes is estimated at around £1million per annum, meanwhile Harry is thought to draw a salary somewhere in the region of £2.3million each year from his father’s estate, the Duchy of Cornwall.

It also emerged yesterday that Meghan’s father could be a ‘star witness’ when the Duchess takes on Associated Newspapers, the publisher of the Mail on Sunday, at the High Court.

Prince Harry plays ‘the naughty kid’ without wife Meghan Markle around, claims body language expert who says Duke’s fast pace shows an urgency to ‘get things done’ as he makes first public appearance since Megxit crisis

The Duke of Sussex plays ‘the naughty kid of the Royal Family’ when his wife Meghan Markle and son Archie are not around, a body language expert said today.

Judi James said the trait was displayed when Harry joked about minding the grass on the makeshift rugby pitch at Buckingham Palace or he would get into trouble.

She added that checking his shoes for mud suggests he sees himself as a ‘naughty or rebellious kid who is currently wanting to be seen on his best behaviour’.

And Ms James said he fiddled with his wedding ring in a move that suggests he is ‘summoning’ the virtual support of Meghan, who is in Canada with their son Archie. 

She told MailOnline: ‘Yes, it’s a self-comfort gesture that usually suggests someone is coping with potential pressure by ‘summoning’ the virtual support of people who love them, in this case presumably Meghan although the gesture can also suggest he’s missing his son Archie too.’

Ms James added: ‘Overall it was energetic and upbeat body language with Harry’s solo appearance here meaning he’d lost the signs of protective, watchful anxiety without his wife and baby to worry about in front of the Press.’

She also said Harry’s ‘pace of appearance’ contrasted with his brother Prince William and Kate in Bradford yesterday who ‘lingered and slowed’ to greet crowds.

Speaking about him joking around, she said: ‘His joke about minding the grass or he’d get into trouble placed him firmly in empathy mode as the naughty kid of the Royal Family.

‘His body language made him look like that popular supply teacher who can be in charge but also one of the kids themselves. 

‘The mud-checking was another gesture that suggested Harry sees himself as a bit of a naughty or rebellious kid who is currently wanting to be seen on his best behaviour.

‘It also suggests he sees himself as a bit of a visitor at the Palace and slightly in awe of the place but with a sense of good humour too.’

Harry refused to answer a question from the Press about how discussions are going on his future within the Royal Family. 

And Ms James said: ‘Harry utterly blanked the press question and the one handed barrier gesture had started before it was shouted, so his technique appeared to be to ignore the press and continue as though he hadn’t heard it.’

Ms James said Harry displayed ‘staccato movements’ and had a ‘desire to be relaxed and more active and casual’ in the gardens this morning. 

She added that his gesticulation became ‘perky and upbeat’ and he gave a thumbs up to reassure guests before he hosted the Rugby League World Cup 2021 draw.

Ms James told MailOnline: ‘After all the pressures of the last few days Harry’s grin was back at long last in this solo public appearance, along with a splayed chest and signature jaunty walk, although his staccato movements and the pace he set also suggested a man in a hurry to get things done, too.

‘His splaying made him look very much the host at the Palace as he used directive pointing gestures to steer his guests in the garden.

‘His anxiety, self-comfort rituals appeared to have diminished and instead of using the ‘paper clip’ hand as a barrier gesture to suggest a desire to hide as he has in the past, he soon converted it into an unbuttoning gesture as he let his jacket fall open, hinting at a desire to be relaxed and more active and casual here.

‘His pace of appearance was interestingly in contrast with William and Kate’s behaviour yesterday: as the Cambridges to greet the screaming crowds, Harry kept up a bit of a dash, although he might have been concerned for his guests in the cold weather.

‘His gesticulation became perky and upbeat as he even offered a quick thumbs up gesture at one point, presumably to reassure his guests and himself that everything was going to be alright.’ 

Harry today carried out his first official public engagement since he and his wife quit as senior royals, triggering a major crisis for the monarchy.

The Duke of Sussex was at Buckingham Palace, the official residence of his grandmother the Queen, who has now sanctioned his decision. 

Dozens of photographers lined a makeshift mini rugby pitch on the manicured lawns in the palace garden, waiting for the duke to arrive.

Harry, dressed in a smart suit and tie, smiled and joked when he was welcomed by RLW2021 chief executive Jon Dutton and non-executive director Stuart Cain.

Children from a local school gave a rugby demonstration as the duke chatted enthusiastically to the executives.

Royal aides are working around the clock to find solutions to the crisis caused by Harry and Meghan’s plans to step back as senior royals, become financially independent and split their time between the UK and Canada.

The duke chatted to the youngsters from St Vincent de Paul Catholic Primary School in Westminster during a pause in their exhibition match, shaking each of their hands in turn.

He then posed for a group photograph in front of the large crowd of photographers, camera operators and journalists.

One of the reporters shouted out: ‘How are the discussions going on your future?’

Harry, who was making his way into the palace, just smiled at a member of his entourage and did not reply. 

The duke is staying in the UK into next week, taking part in meetings as talks continue on his future.

The Queen, who made a statement supporting Harry and Meghan but expressing her regret, has called for final decisions on the complicated arrangements to be made in the coming days.

Meghan has been staying in Canada with baby Archie, where she has carried out visits to charities in Vancouver including to Justice For Girls, which campaigns for an end to violence, poverty and racism for teenagers.