Prince Harry To Meet Usain Bolt In Jamaica On Diamond Jubilee Visit

Prince Harry To Meet Usain Bolt
|

Prince Harry will get a masterclass in sprinting from the world's fastest man Usain Bolt today when he joins the athlete for a coaching session.

The royal is expected to get into the blocks next to the 100 metre world record holder when they meet at a stadium in the Jamaican capital Kingston.

If the third-in-line to the throne tries to take on Bolt the contest should be over in less than 10 seconds - with all the money on the Jamaican.

Harry's Diamond Jubilee visit to Jamaica comes a few days after its prime minister Portia Simpson Miller reiterated her plans to drop the Queen as head of state.

The politician suggested that a referendum on her nation becoming a republic could be held sooner than previously thought, possibly this year.

Simpson Miller said: "I think the fact that August coming will be 50 years since we have gained our independence (means) that it's time for us to sever the ties."

Jamaica is one of the Queen's realms - a nation where she is sovereign and head of state but it is unclear how much popular support the politician's proposals have.

Harry will have a private lunch with Ms Simpson Miller later but whether the question of replacing the monarch with a Jamaican head of state will come up in conversation is not known.

During the day the prince will open the Law Faculty at the University of the West Indies on behalf of the Queen, who is Visitor at the institution.

He will also visit the renowned Bustamente Children's Hospital, touring a number of wards and play areas, before unveiling a plaque at the institution's entrance in honour of the Queen's Diamond Jubilee.

The prince will also meet medical staff at the Queen Victoria Jubilee Hospital - named after the only other monarch to pass the 60-year reign milestone - where he will unveil a statue to commemorate his grandmother's six decades as sovereign.

Harry's final day time engagement will take him to Rise Life, an inspirational project for young people in a deprived district of Kingston.

It provides invaluable learning facilities and a safe haven for young people and the prince will tour some of the facilities, meeting teenagers before joining a party in the courtyard, with scores of young people staff.

In the evening the royal will attend a state dinner hosted by the Governor-General of Jamaica Sir Patrick Allen and make a speech.