Prince Harry hugs a young child while attending a charity event in Antigua... but people were told not to mention his new relationship with US actress Meghan Markle

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Prince Harry smiled as he hugged a child when he attended a charity event for children with severe mental and physical disabilities on his tour of the Caribbean.

The prince, 32, arrived at the official residence of the Governor General - the Queen's representative in Antigua and Barbuda - for the Colours of Charity event.

And his blushes were spared when organisers of the event declared that his romance with US actress Meghan Markle, 35, was off limits. 

Those in charge of the event told young people not to mention his new girlfriend when he turned up. 

Prince Harry hugged the youngster after he attended the charity event in the tropical grounds of Government House in St John's, Antigua 

The prince, 32, embraced the child at the event when he was on the second day of his tour of the Caribbean

The prince also had fun blowing bubbles with youngsters in national dress, who were entertained by clowns and stilt-walkers

A child blew bubbles in the prince's face and Harry joked with the youngster making a funny face as they popped on his beard

Prince Harry (pictured) was visiting Antigua and was happy to talk to children who gathered for the event in the capital 

Harry attended the event at the Government House to highlight important work of a number of charities operating within Antigua and Barbuda

During the event the prince was in his element chatting to young people and playing with children. He also had fun blowing bubbles with youngsters in national dress, who were entertained by clowns and stilt-walkers.

Little Chance de Gannes, aged five, blew bubbles in the prince's face and Harry joked with the youngster making a funny face as they popped on his beard.

Each charity adopted a different colour for the afternoon of fun and activity, while bands including the Antigua Girls' High School Steel Orchestra and the National Youth Choir provided a musical accompaniment.

Harry chatted to Annette Carey, president and founder of a not for profit organisation that fund raises for the Care Project - which provides a home in Antigua and basic care for children with severe mental and physical disabilities.

The British businesswoman who has raised two million dollars (£1.6 million) through her Friends of the Care Project, introduced Harry to some of the children.

Harry also encouraged Nickell, a nine-year-old autistic boy with cerebral palsy, to dance and said 'Woah, you've been practising', before hugging him.

He also laid down to give a hug to Jeanique, 21, who has spina bifida and also kissed her on the forehead.

Mrs Carey said: 'She wanted a hug for her birthday which was last month and he was amazing. 

The event was staged n the home of Sir Rodney Williams in the Antiguan capital St John's.

It showcased a range of good causes from the Girl Guides to the Boys' Brigade that are supported by the Governor General and his wife's Halo Foundation - an umbrella body fundraising for 24 non-profit organisations.

Cuthbert Forbes, 21, a worker with the Halo Foundation, which organised the event said: 'We were told not to talk about it (Harry and Meghan).'

He added: 'It came up at an organising committee meeting when we were thinking about what we could talk to him about and one of the core members of the committee said we shouldn't talk about his girlfriend because it is personal.'

Instead the charity worker joked with the prince about giving him his £65 red suede shoes which Harry admired and asked 'Are they even legal?'

Sir Rodney, a former doctor, said: 'Antigua and Barbuda is truly a Caribbean paradise in every sense of the word: near perfect weather conditions, pristine beaches, and a captivating culture.

'Nonetheless, in our small corner and indeed throughout the world, there are some who are much less fortunate - with poorer health, almost no discretionary income, or no protection and comfort within their home environment.

'It is therefore extremely important that we do everything possible to address these expressed charitable needs.' 

Earlier on Monday, the prince looked happy to be showing off his sporting - and dancing - prowess on the second day of his Caribbean tour.

He was warned to anticipate some protest after the hashtag #Notmyprince began trending in the Caribbean on Twitter.

But he didn't look unduly worried by the news as he danced 'the dab' - last performed by Harry in Scotland in September - and played a variety of sports with local students at Antigua's Sir Vivian Richards stadium.

Swapping the British chill for warm sunshine, Harry, will visit seven different countries in the next two weeks as he travels on behalf of the Queen celebrating the region's history, culture and achievements. 

The prince was photographed shaking hands with the children who had attended the charity event in St John's, Antigua 

Harry 'hits the dab' again, performing the popular dance move with young students in Antigua at the start of his 15-day tour of the Caribbean. He last performed the popular dance with schoolchildren in Scotland in September

Making friends: Prince Harry's visit to The Caribbean marks the 35th Anniversary of Independence in Antigua and Barbuda

Howzat Harry! The prince whacks a ball out to the boundary as a fielder looks on at the Sir Viv Richards Stadium on Antigua

Don't mess! Harry, wearing a casual blue shirt and blue chinos, looked happy to be playing cricket on the second day of his West Indies tour 

Limbering up: Prince Harry looks sure to hit the ball as he bends to take a whack at it 

Swapping loafers for trainers Prince Harry put his sporting skills to the test as he played alongside three of the world's cricket greats.

He was presented with a signed bat and exchanged jokes with West Indies players Sir Curtly Ambrose, Sir Andrew Roberts and Sir Viv Richards.

As he greeted the sportsmen on the island of Antigua, he asked Sir Viv if he should 'be kneeling' at his feet before going on to tell Sir Curtly: 'You've shrunk a bit'. 

Sir Curtly said the Prince's cricket skills were 'okay' adding after the event: 'It seemed to me like he's played cricket before - watching his stance and the way he hit the ball it looked to me like he'd played some sort of cricket.'

'He (Harry) said to me that I've shrunk a bit since he last saw me, but he was good fun he really enjoyed himself and for me it was a real honour to meet him,' he said. 

The former bowler, whose height allowed him to make a ball bounce unusually high, has been ranked one of the world's tallest cricketers. 

The prince took the time to chat with youngsters involved with the charity showcase, listening intently as a girl whispered in his ear

He's a big kid at heart: Prince Harry helped out a smiling child blow bubbles 

Success! The prince is enamoured with the results of his bubble blowing efforts and attempts to catch it

Mad for cricket: Harry meets cricket stars Alzarri Joseph (far left), Curtley Ambrose (second left), Andy Roberts (third left) and Vivian Richards (fourth from left)

Prince Harry takes a tour of the stadium, taking time to meet cricket legends Sir Viv Richards, Sir Curtly Ambrose and Sir Andy Roberts 

All rise: Harry walks through a guard of honour during the Youth Sports Festival

The prince shook hands with the teenagers who looked more than a little excited to have a prince in their midst

A whole lotta Harry! Members of a local Antigua youth sports team greet Prince Harry wearing t-shirts adorned with his face; the royal is on the second day of his tour of the Caribbean

Anyone for tennis? Harry showed himself to be jack of all sports at the festival, picking up a tennis raquet and doing his best Andy Murray impression

The fifth in line to the throne spent the morning watching seven different sports with local schoolchildren, trying his hand at several along the way.

From volleyball to basketball and golf, Harry showed he meant business, as he jumped to push the ball over the net, his blue linen shirt flying up in the wind and hit several applause worthy cricket shots.

Luckily the sun went in as the prince, who is known for his sporting skills and played cricket at Eton, jogged around the stadium.  

The Prime Minister Gaston Browne's four-year-old son, Prince, also ran up to take a picture with Harry and said he was excited to meet 'a real prince'.

Netball player Harmony Edwards, 14, went in for a hug. Her friend Rayana Regis, 15, said: 'It was great to meet him and he was really lovely.'

The prince attended a youth festival, where he gave out hugs to young well-wishers, including netball player Harmony Edwards, 14, who looked more than a little embarrassed by the embrace

A right royal squeeze! Prince Harry and netball fan Harmony enjoy a hug

Harry will visit seven countries on the 15-day tour with today's visit showcasing Antigua's sporting credentials

Let's see how I get on with this! Prince Harry met Caribbean cricketing legends at the Sir Vivian Richards stadium and was handed his own carved bat

Joking around: Harry pretends to take a swing with his new carved bat this afternoon

Cricketers Alzarri Joseph (L), Curtly Ambrose (2nd L), Andy Roberts (3rd L) and Vivian Richards (4th L) pose with the Prince after their meeting 

Such a poser: Prince Harry gets in position for a photograph with his new signed cricket bat

The prince shares a joke with the cricketing legends before having a go inside the stadium

Ready to impress: The sporty royal showed off his midriff as he launched himself at the ball during a volleyball match

Ahead of his arrival, local schoolgirls told of how they were hoping to win over the prince. He left the stadium under a guard of honour made up of cricket bats.

Sir Viv said: 'It was fantastic that the Prince has come to Antigua. He may well have inspired one of the youngsters here. We are very grateful to him - he was so down to earth.'

He was yesterday due to attend a charity showcase and then an evening reception hosted by the Prime Minister.

He will spend two weeks touring the Caribbean after being asked to attend on behalf of the Queen who no longer travels long-haul.  

I call this one the starfish: Prince Harry didn't hold back when it came to enthusiasm

Sparring partners: He also donned a boxing glove to enjoy some playful punching with a young fan

Unsure? A smartly dressed young man looked a little nervous as he met the British prince

Change of heart: However, soon enough the pair became fast friends as they posed for a photo

After arriving on Sunday, the first stop for Harry was Antigua's Clarence House, where the royal received a warm welcome from Governor General Sir Rodney Williams last night.

Wearing a dark grey suit with mid-blue tie, Harry seemed relaxed in the company of Sir Rodney as he presented the Antigua Governor General with a photograph of the Queen and Duke of Edinburgh to mark their 69th wedding anniversary.  

The prince officially re-opened a renovated Clarence House, which was originally constructed for the Duke of Clarence, the future William IV, when he was governor general in the 18th century. 

Harry holds aloft a photo of the Queen and Prince Philip, which he presented to Antigua Governor General Sir Rodney Williams, right, on the first stop of a 15-day Caribbean tour 

At least we're on the same continent! Harry looked in jovial form as he addressed dignitaries at a welcome reception at Clarence House on Antigua. Right, Meghan Markle, pictured in Toronto on the set of Suits this weekend

Harry will be in the Caribbean until early December as he tours seven countries in just over two weeks

Harry unveils the commemoration plaque for the renovated Clarence House, a property that was adored by the late Princess Margaret 

The property was left badly damaged by a hurricane in 1998 and restoration has only just been completed

Harry paid tribute to his grandparents who celebrated their 69th wedding anniversary yesterday and read a message from the Queen which said: 'Prince Philip and I send our warmest wishes to Antigua and Barbuda on the occasion of this celebration to mark 35 years of independence.

'I have fond memories of visiting your country in 1966, 1977 during the Silver Jubilee and again in 1985.

The historic property was also where his great-aunt, Princess Margaret, spend two weeks of her honeymoon in 1960, but it had fallen into complete disrepair until a British businessman donated more than £2 million to renovate it. 

Harry applauds the official opening of the 200-year-old former residence of the Commissioner of the Royal Navy Dockyard

Gone til December: The first call on Harry's West Indian tour was to Clarence House, the Antigua version, which has recently been renovated

Some bedtime reading: Sir Rodney Williams offers a stylish-looking book on Antigua to Prince Harry

No coat required: Harry looked to be enjoying the balmy evening temperatures at English Harbour on Antigua

Crowds quickly gathered despite the dark skies as the prince enjoyed a tour of Nelson's Dockyard

'I will never forget the warmth of your people and the incredible natural beauty of the islands. It has been a great privilege for me to watch Antigua and Barbuda develop into the confident country it is today with a strong national identity and a positive outlook.

'I congratulate all of you for the part you have played in building this community and creating so many opportunities for the next generation.'

Ascot Michael, the country's tourism minister, reminded Harry that he and the Duke of Cambridge were brought to Barbuda by their mother Diana, Princess of Wales, for childhood holidays, saying: 'We are truly pleased to welcome you back to a place of childhood memories, your home in the Caribbean.'

A child looks on as Prince Harry chats about the Dockyard Museum, which recounts the islands maritime history

Harry bypasses a photo of his grandmother on the wall of Clarence House, the former residence of the Commissioner of Royal Navy Dockyard, which was badly damaged by a hurricane in 1998

Yesterday, Prince Harry's girlfriend Meghan Markle returned for a second day of filming the US series Suits.

Miss Markle is famous for playing a flirty trainee lawyer Rachel Zane in the US series Suits and frequently appears in racy scenes along with co-star Patrick J Adams. 

The glamorous American returned back to the television set yesterday in Toronto, Canada after her swift stop-off in the UK where she was said to have stayed with Harry in Kensington, London. 

It is believed the Suits actress stayed with Harry at Harry's bijou Kensington Palace home, Nottingham Cottage. She is yet to be pictured with Prince Harry.

Meghan Markle leaving her home (right) today with a coffee machine and arriving to film Suits (left) with all smiles for some friendly faces

The prince (right) , 32, met the actress (left) at a charity event and is said to have sent her messages until she agrred to meet up with him

With busy work schedules, it's unlikely that the couple will reunite until late December, unless Markle flies south in the next fortnight. 

The prince will visit Barbuda later this week, but it is understood that his programme will not allow him time to visit the places where he stayed with his mother.

Earlier in the evening the prince made an unscheduled stop at Nelson's Dockyard, a Unesco World Heritage Site in English Harbour, named after Admiral Lord Nelson, who was based there as a Royal Navy captain for four years in the 1780s.

Local historian Dr Reginald Murphy told the prince that Nelson hated the place, because half of all his sailors who arrived in Antigua died on the island from tropical diseases including malaria and yellow fever, and regarded it as a 'hellhole'.

But the harbour provided such superb natural shelter for the Navy's frigates that they could be stationed there all year round, even through the hurricane season, enabling Britain to dominate the region for decades.

The dockyard is made up entirely of buildings dating from 1750 to 1850, making it a unique time capsule of Britain's maritime heritage.

Princess Margaret became patron of a fund to restore the dockyard in 1955, to which the Queen and the Duke of Edinburgh were among the donors.

Harry's Caribbean tour will take him to six countries where the Queen is head of state - Antigua and Barbuda, Barbados, Grenada, St Kitts and Nevis, St Lucia, St Vincent and the Grenadines - and the Commonwealth nation of Guyana. 

The actress has become the centre of attention on both sides of the Atlantic since Prince Harry (pictured) announced their relationship