It's fun with a serious purpose, however. The Veuve Cliquot Manhattan Polo Classic will benefit the U.S. arm of Harry's Lesotho-based charity, Sentebale, which aids the African country's impoverished children.
Earlier Saturday, Harry is to see the Harlem Children's Zone, a community organization that offers families social and educational services. The prince will be accompanied by Sentebale's co-founder, Prince Seeiso of Lesotho.
Harry - famed for his youthful, at times embarrassing, escapades - began his trip Friday with a prayerful stop at the site of the Sept. 11 terror attack. At the World Trade Center, he spent about 15 minutes quietly speaking to a half-dozen relatives of 9/11 victims.
Among them was Chip Callori, whose brother, Joseph Amatuccio, was killed. "It's a very kind gesture on his part
- for him to realize that this is a sad but important part of our history," said Callori.
On a chain-link fence overlooking the Sept. 11 memorial under construction at ground zero, Harry attached a wreath of peonies and white and yellow roses. Standing alone, he bowed his head in silence for a few minutes.
A handwritten note on the wreath read: "In respectful memory of those who lost their lives on Sept. 11, 2001, and in admiration of the courage shown by the people of this great city on that day." It was signed, "Harry."
Harry walked along the southern perimeter of the 16-acre site, stopping to pore over rebuilding plans two officials showed him. He peppered officials with questions about the construction.
Officials of the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey have projected finishing dates for the memorial, a skyscraper and a transit hub between 2011 and 2014 but have no completion dates for four other office towers.
As he left the site, he said, "It's just fantastic to see what's going on and hopefully everyone will be happy with the results
- I'm sure they will be."
At the firehouse across the street that houses Engine 10 and Ladder 10, which lost five members on Sept. 11, the prince shook hands with firefighters, then stepped in to admire their equipment as they talked and laughed.
Back on the street, Harry suddenly broke away from his security detail and turned the corner to see the side of the firehouse, which is graced by a bronze memorial to 343 firefighters killed at ground zero.
A few feet away, hundreds of people behind police barricades strained for a glimpse of smiling, red-haired Harry. His fun-loving, outgoing nature erupted as he strolled over to shake hands and chat.
Maria Jimenez, a tourist from Texas, rushed over to snap pictures, saying, "I'm very excited. We don't get very many opportunities to see a prince in Houston, Texas."
