Prince Harry is to make his first official visit to Denmark next month at the request of the Foreign and Commonwealth Office, Kensington Palace has said.
Harry, who is in Toronto, Canada, for his Invictus Games which begin on Saturday, will tour the Danish capital Copenhagen over two days, October 25 and 26.
Kensington Palace said in a statement: “The two-day programme will focus on the young people of Copenhagen. His Royal Highness is looking forward to spending time with entrepreneurs, young community leaders, and meeting individuals who are using sports for social development.
“Prince Harry’s first official visit to Denmark will include an audience with Her Majesty The Queen (Margrethe II of Denmark), and an opportunity to meet veterans, including some of the recently returned Danish Invictus Games Team.
“His Royal Highness will also attend a reception hosted by Her Majesty’s Ambassador to Denmark.”
The prince’s proposed trip to Denmark is likely to be seen as another Brexit diplomacy visit by the royal family, who have made a series of European trips this year.
The monarchy are seen as the nation’s most important figureheads with their soft style of diplomacy renewing ties and strengthening bonds with nations, something that has added importance as the UK leaves the EU.
Prince Harry meets Daphne Dunne on a walkabout on Circular Quay in Sydney (Steve Parsons/PA)
During the year royals have visited the majority of the EU’s major member states, with the King of Spain coming to the UK for a state visit.
The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge visited France in March, Kate made a solo trip to Luxembourg in May, and in July the couple toured Germany and Poland. The Prince of Wales toured Romania in the spring and, with the Duchess of Cornwall, visited Italy and Austria.
Harry is related to Denmark’s monarch Queen Margrethe through his grandfather the Duke of Edinburgh, as Philip’s great-grandfather was King Christian IX of Denmark.
In 2011 the Cambridges visited Copenhagen and took part in their first joint humanitarian mission. William and Kate travelled to the Danish capital to support Unicef’s East Africa appeal and toured the organisation’s emergency supply centre.
Later Harry will begin the countdown to his 2017 Invictus Games when he meets competitors in Canada taking part in a discussion about the global sporting event.
Harry is in Toronto, the host city of the Games, ahead of Saturday night’s opening ceremony where he will give a speech to the thousands expected to attend. There is speculation he will be joined at some point during his nine-day visit to Canada for the Games, by his US actress girlfriend Meghan Markle, who lives and works in Toronto.
Suits star Markle, who has been dating the Queen’s grandson for just over a year, revealed her love for the prince in an interview with Vanity Fair magazine, prompting speculation the announcement of a royal engagement was merely a formality.
Suits star Meghan Markle (Ian West/PA)
The actress declared: ”We’re two people who are really happy and in love. I hope what people will understand is that this is our time. This is for us.”
Harry, who founded Invictus and held the inaugural Games in 2014, will be in Toronto from September 22 to September 30.
During his visit he will also hold a bilateral meeting with US first lady Melania Trump and separate talks with Canada’s prime minister Justin Trudeau.