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Prince Harry can hold his own with the British women's hockey team: 'He's big on banter'

prince harry
Ainhoa Barcelona
Content Managing Editor
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Prince Harry was a hit with the women of Team GB's hockey team, reeling off jokes and showing off his fun side during a reception on Tuesday night.

The 32-year-old was attending a special event for the country's Olympic and Paralympic heroes at Buckingham Palace when he greeted the girls with his trademark charm and humour.

"Prince Harry described me as a crab and was impersonating me!" said goalkeeper Maddie Hinch, who was in stitches watching Harry's impression of her gold-winning goal-saving skills.

prince harry2© Photo: PA

"Prince Harry described me as a crab and was impersonating me!" said goalkeeper Maddie Hinch

The athletes could also see Harry fitting in quite well as an honorary member of the team.

"He's big on the bants and the banter. He'd definitely fit into our team and in the locker room!" said Maddie, 28.

Meanwhile her teammate Alex Danson, 31, chatted to Prince William and Kate, who were also at the palace reception hosted by the Queen.

 "Kate and William both said they played hockey at university," said Alex. "Kate said George has picked up a polo stick and she's trying to show him to use it as a hockey stick."

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While the three-year-old Prince is showing an interest in polo – a sport played by both his dad William and uncle Harry – George's younger sister Princess Charlotte is showing a fondness for riding, like her great-grandmother the Queen.

Kate opened up about her young brood to equestrian triple-gold medallist Natasha Baker, who said: "I asked her how the children were and she said Charlotte is really enjoying her riding which is great to hear and I said we may see her here on a line-up in 20 years time.

"She emphasised that Charlotte has this passion about horses and although she doesn't echo it, she'll do her best to champion and encourage it."

prince harry3© Photo: Twitter

"He just hugged me!" said swimmer Ellie Simmonds

Swimmer Ellie Simmonds also spoke to the mum-of-two and said: "The Duchess was telling me how George likes swimming and Charlotte loves horses."

The Paralympian also saw her dreams come true when Harry surprised her by bending down to chat and give her a hug. "It was the first time I'd met Harry and he gave me a hug. I must have mentioned to someone I was really looking forward to meeting him and he just hugged me!"

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