Rugby royalty praise Prince Harry's visit to Headingley during Leeds trip

Not even the blistering heat of the sun inside Headingley Stadium could weary Prince Harry as he eagerly made his way around and listened to those at the forefront of rugby league in Leeds with 'sincere interest' and respect.

The royal’s ability with youngsters also shone through as one Rhinos stalwart described him as a “great fit” for the sport – for which he has just become a patron – during his second official visit today in a two-day West Yorkshire trip.

At around 2pm, the 32-year-old – casually dressed in a white shirt, jeans and trainers – appeared inside the Carnegie building to meet officials such as the chief executive of Rugby Football League, Nigel Wood, and his colleague Brian Barwick.

Other rugby royalty also turned out for the occasion as Kevin Sinfield, former England and Leeds Rhinos captain, chaperoned the Prince to the pitch – and to the screams of more than 80 youngsters from seven Leeds schools.

After entering the stadium, he chatted to youngsters and parents in the stands and shook hands while onlookers posed for selfies.

Mum Kirsty James, who came with Armley Primary School, said: “He was telling my daughter he was no Prince Charming, he doesn’t have a crown. He was really polite.”

But the real reason for Harry’s attendance was to see the Sky Try Rugby League Festival, a programme designed to get more children from schools across the country playing rugby league. Eight and nine-year-olds from primary schools in Leeds took part in seven-a-side touch rugby league games, coached by England players and volunteers from the Leeds Rhinos Foundation – the club’s charity.

Armley, Castleton, Holy Family Catholic, St Bartholomew’s, Five Lanes, Christchurch Upper Armley and Whingate primary school pupils were the lucky lot on the pitch.

England captain Sean O’Loughlin, former international Paul Sculthorpe, and Rhinos top brass including Danny McGuire and Jamie Jones-Buchanan also met Harry as they were coaching the youngsters.

Harry showed his enthusiasm for youngsters getting involved in the sport after chatting with a pupil who was training to become a cheerleader.

Speaking to Foundation coach Sam Horner, the Prince said: “One of the school kids over there is doing practice for dancing on the pitch. She was seven or eight-years-old and she’s so pumped to do it.”