Video: Watch Prince Harry’s Royal return to Nottingham.
Prince Harry was given a warm Nottingham welcome on his third official visit to the city in less than four years.
The Prince, 32, was in town on Wednesday as part of a tour focusing on community groups and young people in the city.
His visit started on Maid Marian Way at 12.30pm, where he opened the new Central Police Station at Byron House.
He was greeted outside the station by Sir John Peace, Lord Lieutenant of Nottinghamshire, and a crowd of hundreds of well-wishers.
The Prince stopped for several minutes to shake hands and pose for photos with people waiting outside the station.
Sandra Weston, who was in the crowd said: “I briefly got to talk to him and shake his hand. He was really nice and very friendly.”
The old station on Shakespeare Street closed earlier in 2016 after 80 years and moved to its new location.
Inside, the Prince met police cadets about spoke to officers about programmes designed to keep young people out of crime.
Prince Harry has arrived @nottspolice @MyNottingham station and has met members of the public outside before moving inside. pic.twitter.com/Cm42EPrumo
— Kensington Palace (@KensingtonRoyal) October 26, 2016
Prince Harry then travelled across town to the National Ice Centre to re-visit Coach Core, one of two Nottingham initiatives which are supported by The Royal Foundation.
Coach Core offers apprenticeships to 16 to 24-year-olds to train as sports coaches.
Hameed Chitulu, part of Coach Core, said: “He was normal, that’s the only way I can put it. It’s the third time I’ve met him, I also met him at Trent Bridge and St James’s Palace.
“He asked how everything is going, how I’ve enjoyed it, how I’ve got on, it was great.”
Kane Thomas, who works with Coach Core: “He came and discussed why we should fund next year of coach core. He’s all for it, he’s pushing and he’s hearing what we’ve got to say and why we need it.
“He’s alright, a lot more down to earth than what people would think. People have got a different perception of what the royals are like, and they are for the people.
“I’ve seen he’s for the people and he does a lot of good things for them. He does a lot of work for the St Ann’s boys and I’m from St Ann’s so it means a lot.”
The Prince also spoke to Matt Bradbury, a sports development officer at the Ice Centre.
“The Queen opened the centre in 2002 so it’s been 14 years since a royal was in here,” he said.
“It puts us under the spotlight and we want to be a place for the community. Sometimes people don’t realise we’re here and it doesn’t get any bigger than bringing in some royalty.”
The Prince also visited the Community Recording Studio at Russell Youth Club, Lowdham Street, St Ann’s, where The Royal Foundation is working with Epic Partners and the studio to deliver Full Effect.
Video: At the National Ice Centre the Prince joined in with rugby coaching games with children from Chetwynd Primary School, Toton.
The programme is trying to improve opportunities for young people and reduce youth and gang violence by providing young people with formal qualifications in mentoring and leadership.
His first visit to the centre was in 2013, when he went to a rehearsal of Hip Hopera, which uses music in order to achieve their aims.
Trevor Rose, the director of Community Recording Studio, said: “The day’s been good and it’s getting even better.
“It’s a great experience because he always wants to sit and talk, meet people, look in their eyes and hear their stories.
“It means 100 per cent acknowledgement and respect, and it’s like we always have a big brother in mind so the kids have someone to rely on and we feel nothing’s impossible.”
