Grinning Prince Harry delights school children on Caribbean tour

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Fiona Simpson26 November 2016

Prince Harry has delighted onlookers during a visit to what is said to be the world’s oldest tropical gardens in the western world during a tour of the Caribean.

The Prince visited St Vincent and Grenadines where he toured the 20 acre paradise designed by General Robert Melville.

He was snapped high-fiving grinning children and smiling for the camera during the 15-day tour.

The garden was originally designed as a plant breeding centre "to provide medicinal plants for the military and improve the life and economy of the colony".

Royal visit: Prince Harry arrives for a visit to the Botanic Gardens in Kingstown
PA

Harry toured the site and watched a number of cultural performances.

He also planted a commemorative Baobab tree to mark the visit.

Big grins: Prince Harry meets members of the public whilst attending a St Lucian street festival
PA

On a St Vincent beach the Prince heard from local schoolchildren about the various conservation projects they are involved in to help preserve endangered sea turtles.

Cheeky chappy: Prince Harry poses for pictures at the Botanic Gardens in Kingsdown
PA

On Friday, Harry discovered there is only one way to quench your thirst in the Carribean - order a coconut.

Luckily when Harry visited the picturesque St Lucian town of Soufriere street seller Anthony Alexander was on hand and expertly wielded a machete to cut the top off the much-needed treat.

New growth: Prince Harry plants a commemorative Baobab tree to mark his visit
PA

The Prince passed on the offer of a straw and drank straight from the hole as did St Lucia's prime minster Allen Chastanet who joined him for the visit.

Harry appeared to enjoy the coconut water and a few minutes later tried the flesh and gave a nod of approval to Mr Alexander.

The centre of the town, which sits in the shadow of the famous twin-Pitons, was full of local residents and schoolchildren eager to catch a glimpse of the royal visitor.

Harry walked along clasping hands or "fist bumping" with the friendly locals.

Refreshing drink: Prince Harry samples a coconut
PA

When schoolgirl Deborah St Rose, aged 12, asked Harry "can I be your Queen?" the Prince, who is dating Meghan Markle, jokingly did not rule it out and said: "You never know."

Harry is on a 15-day tour of the Caribbean and has been travelling for some of the trip on RFA Wave Knight a tanker on anti-narcotics and disaster relief duty in the area.

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