Prince Harry received a royal welcome from well-wishers when he arrived at Lealands High School in Luton today.
The Duke of Sussex, 34, who opted for a casual look in a grey-long sleeved cardigan, navy blue trousers and light brown shoes, met young rugby players to mark a major milestone for a Rugby World Cup legacy scheme to get more children playing the sport.
The father-of-one, who is Patron of the Rugby Football Union, looked in high spirits as he was photographed giving 11-year-old schoolchild Esther Akiora a high five.
The programme was launched to increase the number of secondary state schools playing rugby union, with the aim of introducing 750 additional schools to the game.
The Duke of Sussex gave 11-year-old Esther Akiora a high five as he visited the Rugby Football Union All Schools Programme at Lealands High School in Luton today
Several pupils from the school gathered around Prince Harry as he walked around the grounds. Pictured, the Duke was given a hug by Zara Jess Gudza
The Duke of Sussex watched students from five local schools take part in touch rugby, before speaking to some of them and their teachers
Passionate rugby fan Harry visited Lealands High School in Luton to mark it becoming the 750th to join the Rugby Football Union (RFU) All Schools programme.
He watched about 60 students from five local schools take part in touch rugby games and skills sessions before speaking to some of them and their teachers.
At the end of the session 11-year-old Zara-Jess Gudza hugged the duke.
The Lealands High School student said: ‘It was just the inspiration, he is so big in this world and he came to this school.
Prince Harry was all smiles as he met pupils during his visit to The Rugby Football Union All Schools Programme at the secondary school
The rugby fan (pictured) visited the school to mark it becoming the 750th to join the Rugby Football Union (RFU) All Schools programme
‘It felt crazy to meet someone who is part of the royal family and felt kind of inspirational.’
The All Schools programme was launched in 2012 as a Rugby World Cup 2015 legacy initiative to increase the number of state secondary schools playing rugby union and aimed to introduce 750 additional schools to the game.
Harry visited Lealands High School to celebrate the programme reaching this milestone and met teachers and students from it and four other local schools on the programme: Challney Boys School, The Chiltern Academy, Lea Manor High School and Stopsley High School.
The Duke could be seen pulling an animated expression as he was given hold of a rugby during his visit
The Duke of Sussex received a hug from Zara Jess Gudza as he met students during his visit to The Rugby Football Union All Schools Programme
Freddie Theron, 11, from Stopsley High School, took part in the activities and handed the duke an invitation to a barbecue at his house when they met.
He said: ‘It was incredible. I just can’t believe he actually came to watch rugby, I am so glad to be picked to meet him.
‘I gave him an invitation to a barbecue at my house. He didn’t read it but said he would read it later.’
The duke, who became patron of the All Schools programme in 2013, also met representatives from Denbigh High School and Rokeby High School which are alumni of the programme.
Harry trained as an assistant development officer with the RFU as part of his gap year in 2004, and once qualified went out to schools and clubs around the country assisting community rugby coaches to teach the game to young people.
The Duke of Sussex posed for a photograph during a visit to the Rugby Football Union All Schools Programme, as students cheered around him
The father-of-one paired his grey and navy outfit with light brown suede shoes, which featured blue lace detail
One excited student pulled the Duke of Sussex into a tight hug, and he responded by sweetly putting his arms around her
The duke, who has travelled the world supporting the national side, was in Sydney in 2003 to watch England triumph over Australia in the Rugby World Cup final.
He became the new patron of the RFU, succeeding his grandmother the Queen, in 2017.
The RFU said more than 10,500 students have joined a local rugby club from the All Schools programme.
Its CEO, Bill Sweeney, said: ‘We are immensely proud that the Duke of Sussex was able to help us celebrate reaching the 750th milestone target for this programme.
‘It is great that we had the opportunity to include the pupils and teachers from a new cluster of schools, along with two schools who have graduated from the programme, and their link clubs.
Prince Harry (pictured) appeared to share a joke with the students, causing them to burst into laughter
The secondary school is among hundreds to have signed up to a rugby union initiative
‘Rugby is a sport for all and, through the All Schools programme, a positive legacy has been created for children in 750 schools in England through rugby and its core values, making school life happier and healthier, reducing anti-social behaviour, enhancing learning and increasing self-esteem.’
Harry’s visit is taking place on the same day his wife Meghan is due to launch a high street clothing range in aid of charity.
Meghan’s maternity leave will come to an end when she showcases the collection created by Jigsaw, John Lewis and Partners, Marks and Spencer and her designer friend Misha Nonoo later today.
The timeless series of outfits – known as a capsule collection – that can be worn in the workplace have been created in aid of Smart Works, a charity which provides training and interview clothes to unemployed women in need, and has Meghan as its royal patron.
The Duke of Sussex was greeted by a Guard of Honour as he stepped out of his chauffeur-driven car, while several students lined the streets
The father-of-three opted for a casual look in a grey cardigan, white coloured shirt and navy trousers for the visit
