By Bernie Ní Fhlatharta

 
Buckingham Palace has confirmed that Prince Harry will NOT be attending the finale of the Volvo Ocean Race this summer, despite reports to the contrary.

Rumours were rife in the past 24 hours that the prince, the third in line to the British throne, would be coming to Galway to enjoy the finish of the round-the-world race.

But yesterday, a spokesman for Buckingham Palace in London told the Galway City Tribune that Prince Harry’s military commitments over the next few months would prevent him coming to Ireland.

“We have seen the stories, but it’s just a rumour. Sadly, it is not on the agenda on the moment as the prince is completely tied up with his military activities. I believe it might be a hoax.

“We have not received any correspondence from Volvo or anyone involved in the Ocean Race,” he added very politely.

John Killeen, Chairman of Let’s Do It Global, organisers of the Volvo Ocean Race finale in Galway, said he knew nothing about Prince Harry coming to Galway or to the sailing event.

“No invite has been issued to anyone other than our President, Michael D Higgins, but if Prince Harry wants to come to Galway for the Volvo Ocean finale, he is more than welcome. He will fit in very well with the other royal members coming from various parts of the world.

The Prince Harry report is believed to have been a hoax and that a false letter with a Buckingham Palace letterhead may have been seen by a city councillor who in turn informed local media. The letter may have been sent to the Mayor’s office as a joke.

For more on this story, see the Galway City Tribune.