Prince Harry charms the Warrior Games competitors in Colorado with his skills as a quarterback and a human pyramid building block... and one lucky girl gets his royal seal of approval

PUBLISHED: 19:02 EST, 12 May 2013 | UPDATED: 07:21 EST, 13 May 2013

He’s always been one to throw himself in at the deep end.

And today game-for-anything Prince Harry didn’t flinch when asked to take part in a human pyramid during a tour of a US military base.

The third in line to the throne is not used to being bottom of the pile, but gamely got down on all fours to help form the base of a three-tier pyramid - with several pretty cheerleaders and a man dressed as a bright blue falcon at the top.

Remarkably, the Prince also managed to rope in Britain’s most senior military officer in the US, Major General Buster Howse, military attaché to the British Embassy in Washington, who crouched down beside him.

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Pyramid scheme: Prince Harry (bottom second left) takes part in a cheerleading display in the American football indoor training centre, at the US Air Force Academy base

Prince Harry throws an American football

Prince Harry, 28, joined cadets at the US Air Force Academy in Colorado for an American Football training session, during which Harry also watched a display of gymnastics by the cheerleaders

Well done: Harry kisses Margaux Mange after presenting her with her silver medal for the Women's Bicycle Open, at the 2013 Warrior Games

You, too: As gold medal winner Lacey Hamilton, US Army, looks on, Britain's Prince Harry gives a kiss to Ashley Crandall after presenting her with a bronze medal in the Women's Bicycle Open

Two cheerleaders crouched on top of them and the mascot of the base’s Falcons gridiron team formed the apex.

The Prince even adopted a fake American accent to say ‘Good job!’

Gimme an H! Prince Harry joins cheerleading pyramid

Cadet Scott Cronin, 19, said: ‘I was on top of him and he was solid, a solid base. He did great.’

On day four of his US tour the Prince, 28, joined cadets at the US Air Force Academy in Colorado for an American Football training session, during which Harry also watched a display of gymnastics by the cheerleaders.

More...

Prince Harry honors wounded army veterans as he attends international Warrior Games in Colorado Springs

Earlier the Prince had tried his hand at being a quarterback at the academy’s full-sized indoor gridiron pitch – showing deadly accuracy as he threw the ball 30 yards at photographers, scoring a direct hit on a Channel 5 TV cameraman.

The Prince was so in his element as he was shown how to throw and catch a football, it prompted the man who coached him to say: 'I’d like to sign him up.'

U.S. Marine Corps' Ronnie Jimenez celebrates a win as he crosses the finish line in the 10k Men's Handcycle race, at the 2013 Warrior Games

Questions: Prince Harry watches a cycling event at the Warrior Games as he is interviewed

Earlier, sporting a pair of trendy aviator shades, Harry was in his element as he started the 10k cycle race which involved US, British, Australian and Canadian competitors

Let the Games begin: Prince Harry starts the Warrior Games cycling event and manages to take it all in his stride when the air horn doesn't work

Troy Calhoun, head football coach at the academy and a former quarterback, said that within minutes of being shown the ropes he was managing to throw 40 and 50 yard passes for other cadets to catch. He also managed to catch a 50-yard pass on the run.

Mr Calhoun said: 'The Prince was terrific. You can tell he has great body co-ordination, he would be a natural football player. He is aggressive, he is strong, he is smart, I would love to sign him up to the Air Force Academy football team if I could.

'Honestly I was a little surprised how good he was. It’s not an easy game to pick up and a football is not a regular ball.'

Prince Harry kicks off the Warrior Games... but has a little...

The Air Force Academy is one of two sites being used to stage the Warrior Games for injured servicemen and women, and the Prince took part in the training session as he was given a tour of some of the base’s impressive facilities.

Wearing a Warrior Games polo shirt, blue chinos and brown suede shoes, the Prince was taught to shout 'hike' when he wanted the ball delivered to him, then showed surprising accuracy in picking out cadets who ran half the length of the pitch to catch his deliveries.

He was also given a Falcons shirt with 'Wales' on the back and the number 54 for the year the academy was founded, and a falconry glove and several T-shirts.

'Cheers guys, I need more T-shirts,' said the Army captain. 'I’ll overlook the fact that it says Air Force on them.'

He added: 'I’ve got all the gear, got no idea.'

Prince Harry meets wounded veterans and Warrior Games competitors after a seated volleyball exhibition match

Falling down: Prince Harry plays for the UK team against the USA during a seated volleyball exhibition match

The 28-year-old prince is currently in Colorado Springs, where he is opening the 2013 Warrior Games, an impressive international Olympic-style competition for wounded servicemen and women

The 28-year-old prince is currently in Colorado Springs, where he is opening the 2013 Warrior Games, an impressive international Olympic-style competition for wounded servicemen and women.

It was Harry’s idea to lend his support to the event and the tour - which has included a visit to the White House in Washington where he met First Lady Michelle Obama and will take him to New York next week - has been built around his attendance.

Earlier, sporting a pair of trendy aviator shades, Harry was in his element as he started the 10k cycle race which involved US, British, Australian and Canadian competitors, joking: 'If you see a guy in a Union shirt coming up behind you let him pass!'

In a brief pre-race interview Harry declined an invitation to move to Colorado Spring and enjoy its '365 days of sunshine' - despite the whoops of dozens of women - pointing to the clear blue sky and saying; 'It isn't sunny all the time, you know.'

He was also invited to call his grandmother, the Queen, as it is Mother's Day in the US but said: 'It's seven hours ahead there, it's impossible!'

The prince, who was wearing jeans, desert boots and a white Warrior Games polo shirt, spent several minutes chatting to each competitor and took it in his stride when the air horn he was meant to sound failed to work.

Bryn Parry, co-founder of Help For Heroes, which has funded the British team's participation in the Warrior Games, said that with Prince Harry's help an international competition for wounded servicemen could take place in London next year.

He said: 'If Harry can set up the vision, we can make it happen.'

Yesterday the prince spoke of his passion to bring the Warrior Games to London’s Olympic Stadium next year.

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"a football is not a regular ball", no, but it is VERY similar to a rugby ball which Harry knows all about. American footballers would find a rugby ball easy to adapt to. However, good job Harry.

- usednurse , Borders, Scotland, 13/5/2013 11:55

Click to rate Rating 45

Harry is truly good at this type of ambassadorship. You can see that the comradeship he feels for his fellow servicemen and women is genuine. His cheerful support is a wonderful example of the old British stiff upper lip and get on with it type attitude, rather than some form of gloomy and useless pity. I love it. Harry is right. These wounded warriors have so much more to give, they only need the opportunity and support to do so.

- Lisa , Charlotte, 13/5/2013 11:07

Click to rate Rating 79

So proud of my nephew representing Team GB at the Warrior Games :)

- Alan Montgomery , Lytham St Annes, United Kingdom, 13/5/2013 11:04

Click to rate Rating 75

It is foolish to think that Harry had to "redeem" himself to Americans. The Las Vegas thing was considered nothing more than sowing wild oats...or a frat party that the misfortune of being filmed. Forget what the tabloid New York Post says.....we do. Harry is well liked here as I am sure he is in Canada. We don't do the "class" system over here and think of Harry as a regular guy. He is welcome to live on this side of the Atlantic anytime he chooses.

- Jean , USA, 13/5/2013 10:41

Click to rate Rating 94

Tigerpaw. We love our Harry, you'll probably find that even a lot of those who don't support the monarchy as a whole appreciate Harry asa great ambassador and soldier. I for one am incredibly proud to be britishand our nobleandgracious royal family is a massive reason for that.

- hnkp , outside normality, United Kingdom, 13/5/2013 09:06

Click to rate Rating 42

Why some of you people in Britain spit this man is beyond me. Or is it because he is a MAN? And not a "flake" like some of those who spit him. There's is nothing phony, stuffy or standoffish about this young MAN. At least Canadians and Americans love him. He's the greatest representative of the British people you will ever have. Charming, friendly and quick with a smile or a joke. What British people use to be like. Or have you all forgotten?-Â Tigerpaw16Â , Pembroke, >>>>>> Well said. The bashers ignore the alternatives. President Blair, anyone?

- Quinsman , London UK, 13/5/2013 08:29

Click to rate Rating 44

You Brits are lucky to have Prince Harry represent your country. He seem so nice, unpretentious and so handsome!

- Gwynevere , US, United States, 13/5/2013 08:12

Click to rate Rating 89

Those Brits that do put him down have no idea about what he does or why he does it. They just dislike the idea of the Royal family who they feel are scroungers living off the state with no return. Funnily enough most of those that believe this are living off the state and giving back nothing in return.................

- Jim P , Westbury, 13/5/2013 07:52

Click to rate Rating 37

He's a natural. An absolute natural. He seems to be completely in his element, especially on US soil. Yeah, I think we'll keep him! :-)

- Danii , Los Angeles, 13/5/2013 07:41

Click to rate Rating 67

Good form on throwing the American football. Arm, foot and hip position is spot on.

- realityisspeaking , Smallville, United States, 13/5/2013 07:27

Click to rate Rating 45

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