Hundreds of adoring girls flocked to an Aberdeen university yesterday in the hope of catching a glimpse of Prince Harry on his first official visit to the north-east.
The dashing young royal – who is yet to find his princess – was greeted by fans’ screams, cheers and even tears when he arrived at Robert Gordon University (RGU) to see the work of local charity Streetsport.
The prince was in the Granite City as part of a whole day of engagements aimed at giving him an insight into the initiatives being carried out in support of young people in the north-east.
During the last 10 years Streetsport has worked with children and teenagers in some of the most deprived areas of the city to try to combat antisocial behaviour.
Volunteers aim to distract the youngsters from getting involved in a life of crime by taking free sports and art sessions directly into the worst affected communities.
It is run in partnership with Sported and the Denis Law Legacy Trust.
Yesterday morning Harry spent more than an hour working up a sweat while trying out some of the activities the project has to offer.
Dressed in navy trousers and a blue open-neck shirt, Harry rolled up his sleeves before taking on one volunteer, Nordean Elouissi, at a one-on-one football game known as Panna KO.
The Queen’s grandson was quick to show off his fancy footwork and score against the 21-year-old in only a matter of minutes.
Speaking after his match with the prince, Mr Elouissi said he could not quite believe he had been having a kick about with the man who is currently fifth in line to the throne.
And he said he was glad he did not injure one of the world’s most adored men.
He said: “My heart was racing the whole time. It was such a great experience. I know I had to try to play good and I felt the pressure but it was great.”
Mr Elouissi, from Northfield, used the charity himself as a child and credits it for helping him to hone his skills as a footballer, having spent a year in America on a soccer scholarship.
He said he now wanted to be able to help youngsters in Aberdeen benefit from Streetsport in the same way he did.
Harry also took part in mini tennis and hockey matches, where he even stopped to talk to a yap
py springer spaniel who was desperate to get his attention.
While patting the dog on the head, he said: “You know I don’t speak Spaniel.”
The prince was also a hit with the younger schoolchildren who all received high-fives from the royal at the end of his visit.
During a brief presentation inside the university’s Sir Ian Wood building Harry was handed a framed Scotland top which had been signed by Manchester United legend Denis Law.
Mark Williamson, Streetsport development officer, has developed the current model which he hopes he will be able to expand into other cities in Scotland.
He said at the moment about 12,000 youths were using the programme annually in Aberdeen and he hoped that with Prince Harry’s backing the charity would be able to grow.
He said: “The model we have now is very effective and has been developed over the last 10 years.
“We are taking these mobile activity arenas directly into local communities and operating during peak times of antisocial behaviour.
“In doing so, Streetsport helps to reduce instances of youth crime and antisocial behaviour.”
