A mass of adoring fans greeted Prince Harry on Tuesday night as he visited the CN Tower for a reception connected with the Invictus Games.
More than an hour before his scheduled arrival, people lined up on either side of metal barriers to get a look at the prince. Some photographers anticipated him at the doors of the tower, while others packed in near the “Canada 150” sign to snap him walking by.
People stood on concrete blocks and nearly fell over each other trying to get a selfie with him, or simply capture an image of the man who is fifth in line to the British throne.
“I got two pictures of him, but my phone died,” one woman told her friends. “I need one more!”The prince took his time walking down the path, engaging with fans who called his name endlessly until he disappeared into the Toronto landmark for a reception for the Invictus Games Foundation. The prince is the foundation’s patron.
After he entered the building, people squealed with excitement as they compared photos and videos of the prince.
Harry has visited the CN Tower before. In 1991, 7-year-old Harry and his older brother, William, enjoyed a day looking through telescopes, initially undetected by photographers and fans of the Royal Family.
“Oooh, it’s so high,” Harry said on that occasion. (No word on what he thought of it Tuesday.) Harry and William also enjoyed the space shuttle simulator.
The royal rascals each wore Canadian tuxedos — a denim jacket with jeans — while they waited for their parents to arrive from London. Before long, reporters and photographers took notice, and the boys assumed a more buttoned-up disposition.
On Tuesday, Harry was much more welcoming of the attention.The reception Tuesday brought together athletes and other people involved in the Games. They received polite applause from the crowd, but nothing compared to that of the founder of the Games.
