NASSAU, Bahamas -- Prince Harry received a gift from two young girls during the Junkanoo rush-out at the end of National Youth Rally & Cultural Show in honour of the visit of the Prince at the Thomas A Robinson National Stadium, Monday, March 5, 2012.   The Prince was in The Bahamas celebrating the Diamond Jubilee of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II.   (BIS photo/Letisha Henderson)

NASSAU, Bahamas -- Prince Harry went into the stands and chatted with students as they enjoyed the National Youth Rally & Cultural Show in honour of his visit to The Bahamas at the Thomas A Robinson National Stadium, Monday, March 5, 2012.   The Prince was in The Bahamas celebrating the Diamond Jubilee of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II.   (BIS photo/Letisha Henderson)

NASSAU, Bahamas -- Anna Albury, Bahamas Primary Schools Student of the Year (who is visually impaired) impressed Prince Harry as she brought remarks at the National Youth Rally & Cultural Show in honour of his visit to The Bahamas at the Thomas A Robinson National Stadium, Monday, March 5, 2012.   (BIS photo/Letisha Henderson)

NASSAU, Bahamas -- Prince Harry spoke with Anna Albury, Bahamas Primary Schools Student of the Year (who is visually impaired) after she impressed him with remarks at the National Youth Rally & Cultural Show in honour of the Prince’s visit held at the Thomas A Robinson National Stadium, Monday, March 5, 2012.   (BIS photo/Letisha Henderson)

NASSAU, Bahamas -- About 12,000 youths from across The Bahamas came out at the National Youth Rally & Cultural Show in honour of the visit of Prince Harry to The Bahamas at the Thomas A Robinson National Stadium, Monday, March 5, 2012.   (BIS photo/Patrick Hanna)

NASSAU, Bahamas -- The Bahamas All Stars perform for Prince Harry and students attending the National Youth Rally & Cultural Show held in honour of the Prince’s visit to The Bahamas at the Thomas A Robinson National Stadium, Monday, March 5, 2012.   (BIS photo/Patrick Hanna)

NASSAU, Bahamas -- Prince Harry brought remarks at the National Youth Rally & Cultural Show held in honour of his visit held to The Bahamas at the Thomas A Robinson National Stadium, Monday, March 5, 2012.   (BIS photo/Patrick Hanna)

NASSAU, Bahamas -- Youths put on a Junkanoo Rush-out at the National Youth Rally & Cultural Show held in honour of Prince Harry’s visit to The Bahamas at the Thomas A Robinson National Stadium, Monday, March 5, 2012.   (BIS photo/Patrick Hanna)

NASSAU, Bahamas -- Prince Harry went into the stands and chatted with students as they enjoyed the National Youth Rally & Cultural Show in honour of his visit to The Bahamas at the Thomas A Robinson National Stadium, Monday, March 5, 2012.   The Prince was in The Bahamas celebrating the Diamond Jubilee of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II.   (BIS photo/Letisha Henderson)

Prince Harry gets a taste of Bahamian culture

By Kathryn Campbell, BIS

Nassau, The Bahamas -- Bahamian youth put on a cultural display at a youth rally in honour of the visit of Prince Harry on Monday, March 5.

An estimated 12,000 youth representing schools and youth organizations in New Providence and seven Family Islands packed the Thomas A Robinson National Stadium and gave Prince Harry a taste of Bahamian culture. The event was in recognition of the diamond Jubilee Celebrations of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II.

The three-hour show included a cultural extravaganza featuring The Bahamas National Boys Choir, Bahamas All Stars, a combined violin ensemble, rake ‘n’ scrape and Junkanoo performances.  

Also participating was a combined high school choir and the Royal Bahamas Police Youth Band. Anna Albury, a visually impaired student of Hope Town School in Abaco and Primary School Student of the Year gave remarks.

Among those in the audience was Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs the Hon Brent Symonette; Education Minister the Hon Desmond Bannister; Youth, Sports and Culture Minister the Hon Charles Maynard and various senior Government officials.

Prince Harry, on behalf of his grandmother, offered words of encouragement to the young people in their endeavours including civics, sports and education.

He congratulated the young people on living up to The Bahamas’ motto of “Forward, Upward, Onward, Together” and thanked them for making his stay in The Bahamas such “fun”.

During the rally, Prince Harry ascended the bleachers and interacted with students sharing light conversation and occasional jokes.

Two students presented him with gifts of a Junkanoo crown and cape during the ceremony.

The event concluded with a Junkanoo-Rush Out with participating schools.