Pictures and video: Prince Harry in Shropshire to support wounded veterans' walk
Prince Harry received a hero's welcome as he walked into Ludlow with six war veterans as part of their Walk of Britain.
Excitement reached fever pitch around the south of the county as the word spread that the prince was walking through the Shropshire countryside between Church Stretton and Ludlow yesterday.
He was in the county to show support for wounded British and US soldiers Alec Robotham, Matt Fisher, Scott Ransley, Stewart Hill, Kirstie Ennis and Andrew Bement. The six were all wounded in service and suffered injuries from leg amputation and blindness to cognitive impairment as a result.
They are currently walking 1,000 miles around the UK for charity Walking With The Wounded. They started out from the Glenfiddich Distillery near Inverness on August 22, and are expected to finish at Buckingham Palace on November 1.
Prince Harry stated he would be joining them for part of the journey, but which part was a tightly guarded secret until yesterday.
The prince met the walkers at St Lawrence Primary School in Church Stretton just after its morning assembly – causing huge excitement. He then showed up with the team at Stokesay Castle, near Craven Arms, at about 1.30pm, where they were joined by American football legend Dan Marino.
By the time the group walked into Ludlow town centre just after 5pm, the streets were thronged with hundreds waiting to catch a glimpse of the prince.
Warrant officer Maureen Davies of Ludlow Air Cadets said: "We knew about the walkers and were invited to greet them last week – but we didn't know about their special guest, not until we saw it on the Shropshire Star website during the afternoon.
"We're very excited, it's not something that happens every day."
Pensioners Janet and Jim Hoggett were also surprised by news of the walkers' seventh VIP member.
Mrs Hoggett said: "I work in the Cancer Research charity shop and a lady just came in and said 'Prince Harry's going to be here with the soldiers this afternoon'.
"Jim and I are both ex-Navy so we thought we must come up and see him."
A round of cheers went up as the walkers and their royal guest arrived in the town square after a 17-mile trek, and then made their way into the grounds of Ludlow Castle to yet more crowds of spectators waving flags.
Once there, Prince Harry shook hands with mayor of Ludlow Councillor Paul Draper, Lord Lieutenant for Shropshire Algernon Heber Percy and other dignitaries.
Councillor Draper said: "I presented him with gifts from the local market, food and drink and gifts from local shopkeepers.
"I think it's wonderful that Prince Harry came along and the support was fantastic – especially as we were not really able to publicise it.
"He was extremely pleased with the reception he got and what these walkers are doing just shows the dedication and courage of the personnel of our armed forces, not just now but in the line of duty."
Town councillor Diane Lyle, whose son is in the Royal Air Force, said: "What struck me as he came through was that this is a real person, a real solider, just doing a job to support others being injured in the line of duty he did himself.
"He's a man of the people but also someone using his position to do what he can to help," she added.
The veterans have been making their way through Shropshire all this week, having passed through Shrewsbury on Monday, where they were met by town crier Martin Wood and Shrewsbury's mayor Councillor Miles Kenny.
Prince Harry took part in the Walking with the Wounded trek to the North Pole in 2011 and has supported the charity since it was formed.
He is acting as patron for the Walk of Britain.
For information visit walkingwiththewounded.org.uk/walkofbritain2015
