Harry Hails Resilience Of Syrian Refugee Who Has Settled In Copenhagen

Harry Hails Resilience Of Syrian Refugee Who Has Settled In Copenhagen

Prince Harry has praised the resilience of a Syrian refugee and met her baby daughter on a visit to a social project in Copenhagen.

The prince spoke to Noura Bittar Soeborg, 28, at the offices of the KPH project, which helps small businesses and start ups.

As he was leaving the offices he met her baby daughter.

Prince Harry poses for a selfie on his visit to KPH Projects in Copenhagen (Jonathan Brady/PA)

Ms Bittar Soeborg said: “She had just woken up and she saw the prince, it was like a fairy tale.

“She was reaching out for him to pick her up.

“He was super nice to her and I think she liked him too.”

The mother-of-one told Harry how her family’s home was bombed and they were forced to flee Syria five years ago.

She has now married a Danish man and settled in Copenhagen, but told the prince how she hopes she will one day be able to return to her home country, but fears it will be when she is “very old.”

Harry told her: “Your resilience is just amazing.

“To come through what you have experienced and make something so positive is brilliant. Well done.”

Locals waited outside the project’s building holding Union flags to welcome Harry, who arrived in the city on Wednesday morning.

Prince Harry talks with members during a visit to GAME in Copenhagen (Chris Jackson/PA)

He was handed roses by Jorgen Andresen, 52, and Fleming Christiansen, 45.

Mr Andresen said: “We are autograph collectors so it was his girlfriend we were after really but she didn’t come.

“We told him ‘welcome to Copenhagen’ and gave him red and white roses for Denmark.”

Chief executive of KPH Anne Katrine Heje Larsen, who founded the project in 2009, met with the prince and explained how it worked.

Talking of the prince’s visit, she said: “Most of the people are under the age of 30 and relate to the prince and the projects he supports.

“Everyone is very excited that he decided to visit us. It is an honour.

“It makes sense for him to come here and see what we are doing here.

“We’ve known he was coming for a few weeks so excitement has been growing.

“Everyone was nervous to meet him, especially me and the people doing the pitches to him.”

Harry was shown around the office where he met with Conor Cleancy, head of Refugee Entrepreneur Denmark, which helps refugees to get into work.

Harry asked him: “But when do you sleep? Never? That’s the spirit!”

He was then given a presentation by Jacob Vahr, head of a company called Egrow which works with local farmers to help create more fertile soil.

Finally the prince met Comeback Industries boss Poul Kellberg, the head of a concept where boxing is used to get young men, many who are former prisoners, back into work.

Harry started his trip to the Danish capital by visiting the Palace of Amalienborg, where he had an audience with Queen Margrethe II of Denmark.

Prince Harry arrives at an evening reception at Tivoli Gardens in Copenhagen (Jonathan Brady/PA)

At a reception at the Nimb hotel in Tivoli Gardens, one of the world’s oldest amusement parks, on Wednesday evening Harry said meeting Queen Margrethe had reminded him of the “strong ties” between their families and the two countries.

He said: “This trip is a clear reminder of the shared values and strong alliance the UK has with Denmark.

“Our two countries have an unbreakable bond which is as strong now as it ever has been.”

He said he had been impressed with the “passion, drive and enthusiasm” of the people he had met in Copenhagen.

He said: “I told those I met today that they must keep doing what they’re doing; they must keep giving back; and they must keep acting as leaders.

“They’re making such a massive difference and inspiring others to do the same.”

He congratulated the Danish Invictus Games team, some who he will meet on Thursday.

He said: “I watched them win gold in person and I can tell you it was an amazing game.

“It was fantastic to see your guys progress so much since Orlando, even beating the UK in the process.”

Prince Harry spoke to Nelson Mandela’s youngest daughter Zindzi, 56, at a reception (Jacob Ehrbahn/Ritzau/AP)

Ms Mandela, who is the South African ambassador to Denmark, said they spoke about the “special relationship” between her father and his grandmother.

She said: “He used to call her Lizzie.

“I first met Harry at my father’s memorial service, and then I bumped into him by chance at Johannesburg airport when I was on my way to my father’s last resting place for the annual ritual, so this was our third meeting.

“Harry does a lot of work with communities and that is a legacy of his mother.

“She would be very proud.”

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