Prince Harry was greeted with garlands in Kathmandu today by five colourfully dressed local girls known 'pancha kanya' - the five virgins.
The group of girls aged between 17 and 27, whose name comes from five iconic Hindu heroines, gave the royal four bouquets of flowers, with the fifth girl Maiya Maharjan, 25, placing a fragrant garland of marigolds over his head.
Dressed casually for a morning's sightseeing in chinos, a blue shirt and desert boots - with colourful bracelets on his wrist - Harry looked delighted at the gesture and thanked them profusely.
He even showed off his grey and blue socks when asked to remove his shoes as a mark of respect while enjoying a tour around the courtyards at Patal Palace.
The red mark on his forehead - a symbol of welcome and honour - was made by Secretary General of Red Cross Nepal Dev Ratna Dhakhwa. He was also given a garland of flowers before he heard about the charity's work.
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A £22million UK aid programme, funded by UK taxpayers through DFID, established six disaster preparation sites three years ago.
When last year's devastating earthquake struck, the site Harry visited at Bhaktapur swung into action - delivering aid packages to 10,000 families in the first 72 hours.
Harry was shown the £40 kit which included blankets, clothes, digging tools, sanitation supplies and cooking utensils.
The prince, who is on a five-day official tour of Nepal, was touring some of Kathmandu's most iconic sights to see for himself the devastation caused by last year's earthquakes, which claimed more than 8,000 lives and destroyed some of the country's most historic temples and palaces.
But there is also a story of hope as the Nepalese people work to rebuild their country and demonstrate, as Harry said today, that they are 'back in business'.
Families received the support of Prince Harry who sympathised with their position and said it was lucky they had not 'lost their lives'.
Harry's heartfelt words of support for the group left living in tents in a Kathmandu district came after he toured their camp and sat down to chat with some of the residents.
The living conditions of the 250 people from 60 families housed on the small site moved the Prince as he walked past their tents erected on the scrubby piece of land, where chickens scratched at the earth.
Many have been living in the temporary accommodation provided by the Nepalese army and international organisations for almost a year, and will face their second monsoon season in a few months time.
As he chatted to one family inside their tent he told them 'I'm sorry that you have to live in here, but you're all alive, you're all alive - you know.
'I know the earthquake (hit) and you now live here, but in some way you're lucky that you're all alive and no one lost their lives.'
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Crowds of people lined the streets of the Nepalese capital city, pictured, to catch a glimpse of the popular royal during the official visit
The tour comes almost a year after a devastating earthquake that left hundreds of thousands of people homeless in Nepal (file picture)
Prince Harry visited a municipal camp for displaced families in Bhaktapur, where families still suffering from the aftermath of the earthquake
Prince Harry poses for a group selfie with those living in the Byansi camp for families displaced by the 2015 earthquake in Bhaktapur
The prince was all smiles as he met the group of displaced families forced to live in the camp after their own homes were destroyed
Harry spent the day learning how Nepal's rebuilding effort is progressing following the earthquake and aftershocks in April last year which killed almost 9,000 people and damaged almost a million houses and buildings.
The Prince's guide around the camp was 14-year-old Purushotam Suwal, who helps manage the site, and has proved invaluable because he can speak English.
He said their guest had come to see their peaceful and well managed camp and joked Harry was as well known as former England footballer David Beckham.
Harry is on a five-day tour of Nepal, a country he has long wanted to visit because it is the homeland of the Gurkhas, men who serve in the British Army and are famed for their fighting prowess.
Hundreds of thousands of people across the country are living in tents like these pictured after the earthquake rendered them homeless
Prince Harry toured the municipal camp for families displaced by the 2015 earthquake during his visit to Nepal this week
The April 2015 earthquake killed 8,000 people and left hundreds of thousands more people homeless - many are still living in tents
At one point Prince Harry ducked into one of the tents and appeared to engage in an intense conversation with its inhhabitants
Prince Harry sits inside a temporary shelter as he visit the camp for displaced families, in Bhaktapur, Nepal
He told the family he had sympathised with: 'I have so much respect and admiration for the amazing Gurkhas, the whole world over recognises the Gurkhas for their courage and their amazing strength.
'So its nice to finally have the chance to come to Nepal and meet the families and the people and the place from which the Gurkhas come from.'
As he toured the camp Harry greeted the passing residents and even posed for group pictures as the guide introduced him
The 14-year-old tour guide said: 'People must live here for one or two years for the Government to rebuild their houses. People are here so they can live safely, about 60 families are staying here now - about 250 people in the camp.
'Their homes are not completely damaged, there are cracks in the walls or they may be 50% damaged, so they want new homes.'
He also met a group of three Nepalis who had lost their homes. He told them: 'It's nice to know the whole world was coming together to help. The whole world wanted to help - almost too much at once.
The Prince's guide around the camp was 14-year-old Purushotam Suwal who has proved invaluable because he can speak English
Prince Harry is shown around by Bhaktapur Durbar Square by Mr Suwal, chairperson of the Byansi camp for families displaced in Bhaktapur
The 14-year-old tour guide told the prince: 'People must live here for one or two years for the Government to rebuild their houses. People are here so they can live safely, about 60 families are staying here now - about 250 people in the camp'
The accomplished young guide took the prince around the municipal camp and introduced him to the displaced residents who live there
Housewife Barbati Khathri, 39, told the prince how she lost her home and feared her children were dead on the day the quake struck last April.
'I had gone to the temple with my husband and mother-in-law, but my son and daughter had gone out to sit exams. We were sitting in the big hall in the temple and suddenly it was like a storm, wind was happening and I could see the houses shaking and collapsing.
'We all ran outside into the open and for 30 mins I tried to call my children, but there was no network. I was so worried and panicking as I couldn't get hold of them - eventually I did but it was a terrifying time. When I reached my home, it had completely collapsed.
'We were lucky that no-one was inside, as it was a Saturday afternoon, as the whole top floor had collapsed onto the bottom.
'Now we have no home and are staying in a rented house waiting for a government loan to rebuild.'
Through an interpreter, Harry asked her if she hoped to rebuild her house and if she was being looked after. She replied: 'We are regularly supported by the Red Cross.'
A spokesman for DFID said: 'The money has been given to the British and Nepali Red Cross which has also trained thousands of volunteers so they know what to do. After the earthquake struck, in 24 hours we reached 800 households, and 10,000 were reached in the first couple of days.
'The UK is one of the biggest aid donors in Nepal and we've stayed here giving humanitarian aid throughout the past year.
'We in the UK should be very proud of all the aid we've given - we've saved thousands of lives. The UK public do really care and want to make a difference. It really resonates with the British people and their generosity should be applauded.'
The Prince spent time visiting Nepalese heritage sites on the outskirts of Kathmandu with Prime Minister Khadga Prasad Oli, centre
Harry said he hopes to 'shine a spotlight' on resilience of Nepali people recovering from last year's devastating earthquake
The Prince and Nepalese Prime Minister are pictured witnessing local craftsmen at work in Patan Durbar Square
As well as witnessing craft workers in action, the Prince tried his hand at wood carving, pictured, in Patan Durbar Square
Hundreds of people came out to Patan Durbar Square to see the Prince as he continued his tour with the Prime Minister, pictured
With the help of another guide, the prince also toured some of the ancient sights in Patan Durbar Square, many of which date back to the early 1600s.
His first stop was the magnificent Patan Palace, one the seats of power of the King of Patan when the Kathmandu Valley was divided into three different kingdoms.
He gasped in amazement at the Mul Chowk, or main courtyard, where Hindu ceremonies used to take place. He then moved through to a second pretty courtyard, dating back to 1627.
The area boasted lavish wooden carvings and is considered one of the jewels of Kathmandu Valley architecture. Appropriately it is known as Sundari - or the beautiful lady.
Sunk into the floor was an ornate bath built in 1647, built by the popular King Siddhinarsingh. Although it was not on his official itinerary, Harry asked to view it and was invited to take his shoes off as a mark of respect.
'Good thing I've got the right socks on,' he quipped as he displayed a pair of socks with bright blue toes.
Marvelling at the beautiful carvings he spoke knowledgeably about the cost of the rebuilding work, which he has received a significant donation from his own father, Prince Charles, through The Princes' Charities.
It is something they had clearly discussed before they left as Harry, shown a picture of his father in 2006 holding a reception at Clarence House to help raise funds, remarked: 'Ah, that was the reception when he was meant to stay 45 minutes and left after two hours.'
He added: 'The thing is that you can't put a price on stuff like this.'
He also insisted that his party pay the tourist levy normally charged to tour the palace saying: 'We will all pay, we must pay,' adding: 'Even them', as he gestured to the press.
Prince Harry took time out to sign the visitors' book inside Hiranya Varna Mahavihar, know locally as the Golden Temple
Prince Harry pictured outside the three-storey Buddhist temple, which was built in the 12th century by King Bhaskar Varman
Prince Harry could not hide his delight during his visits to several historic sites and was pictured with a beaming smile throughout
Prince Harry visits the Community courtyard behind the Golden Temple to meet representatives of the local community linked to the temple
The visit hopes to promote the country's recovery from the devastating April 2015 earthquake that killed more than 8,000 people
Prince Harry wore a gift of an orange silk scarf during his visit to the Golden Temple in Kathmandu, as part of his visit to Nepal
Prince Harry visiting the Golden Temple, Kathmandu, from where assistance was coordinated in the immediate aftermath of the earthquake
As he walked around the palace gardens he stopped to meet several groups of craftsman who were painstakingly chipping away at pieces of stone and wood which will be used in the refurbishment.
He was even persuaded to sit down and try his hand at some wood carving, although looked nervous at the prospect.
'I did carving at school years ago but nothing like this,' he said, marvelling at their handiwork. Harry watched closely as he was shown what to do. 'I can't do it, not many people can. I am showing how hard it is to do this - wow ,' he laughed.
When a member of the party complemented on him how much at ease he appeared sitting on the floor with the carvers Harry said: 'Ten years in the army, you learn to sit anywhere.'
He also complemented the building team on how brilliantly they were doing with so little expensive equipment, using as much of the original stone and timber as possible
'It's amazing what you can do with no equipment, no cranes, no scaffolding...just ropes on pulleys,' he said.
As he left to tour the rest of the sights in the square he was mobbed by hundreds of people.
In a scene reminiscent of The Beatles, a group of local girls dressed in school uniforms, began screaming his name and hyperventilating as they tried to grab him and get 'selfies'. The prince took it in his stride, smiling, waving and shaking hands.
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He stopped to speak to several groups of tourists, asking one family: 'Why Nepal, why have you come here? Well done, it's so, so important to encourage people to come back. Why wouldn't you come back here? It's beautiful,' he said.
Among those he spoke to was Ciaran Ciarans who was in the square with his niece Megan, 11, and Diarmuid, nine.
Ciaran, who is working for The Red Cross, said: 'He's right, when I came out here in October there was hardly anyone here. They so badly need the tourists to come back.'
The prince has already spoken on his first official trip to Nepal of his determination to help 'shine a spotlight' on he country in its attempts to rebuild after last year's disaster and tell the world that it was 'back in business'.
In a speech shorty after his arrival on Saturday, he said: 'I also know that I arrive here in Nepal as you approach the first anniversary of the earthquakes that took so many lives and that you are working to recover from.
'I pay my respects to those who perished and hope to do what I can to shine a spotlight on the resolve and resilience of the Nepalese people.
'I want to show all those people around the world who want to help that this is a country open for business – so please come and visit again.'
Prince Harry, left, told Nepal's first female president Bidhya Devi Bhandari, far right, his long flight to Nepal was 'worth it' upon arrival
Kensington Palace said the Prince enjoyed meeting President Bhandari and spoke about earthquake recovery efforts, the importance of tourism and how to improve opportunities for young women, among other topics
The earthquakes, in April and May last year, claimed more than 8,000 lives. A further 21,000 were injured and hundreds of thousands of people left homeless.
It was the worst natural disaster to strike Nepal since the 1934 and also resulted in the destruction of dozens of centuries-old buildings, particularly in the Kathmandu Valley.
The earthquake also triggered an avalanche on Mount Everest, killing 21, and making April 25, 2015 the deadliest day on the mountain in history.
Harry's day began with a morning call on President Bidya Devi Bhandari, Nepal's first female President, elected by the country's Parliament in October 2015.
The meeting will took place at Rashtrapati Bhavan, the Presidential Palace in Kathmandu with Harry performing a tradition Namaste greeting, with his hands clasped together.
The Prince and the President spoke through an interpreter as they were served tea, water and fruit juices.
Security in Patan Durbar Square was a high priority, with scores of police officers patrolling the streets dressed in protective clothing
Guards pictured at their stations in Kathmandu, where Prince Harry was treated to a tour of some of the city's historic landmarks
Some officers even carried riot shields to ensure they were prepared for any potential threat against either the Prince or President
The Nepalese parliament has recently approved laws allowing the government to spend billions of dollars pledged by foreign donors on home reconstruction to help re-home displaced citizens
Locals try to catch a glimpse of Prince Harry as he visits the Red Cross Preparedness Containers at Bhaktapur on day two of his visit
When asked about his trip to Nepal Harry replied: 'A long flight, but worth the hours to be in Nepal, finally.'
The meeting lasted half an hour and the pair discussed the Nepal Girl Summit they will open together on Wednesday.
The president has campaigned on the issue of women's rights and the summit, organised by Nepal's Ministry of Children, Women and Social Welfare - with support from Unicef and the Britain's Department for International Development, will promote gender equality in Nepal.
One of the issues it will focus on is encouraging the end of child marriages.
A Kensington Palace spokesman said: ' The Prince very much enjoyed his meeting with the President.
'They had a wide ranging and friendly conversation, covering earthquake recovery, the importance of tourism, conservation and climate change.
'Prince Harry was particularly grateful to hear from the President about her work to improve opportunities for girls and young women - a topic the Prince looks forward to saying more about at the Girl's Summit later in the week.'
Read more: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-3501102/Namaste-Flowers-smiles-Harry-meets-people-visits-earthquake-damaged-areas-Kathmandu-Nepal-trip.html#ixzz43SxEPWpo
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