On Friday evening Prince Harry and a group of eight other guests had dinner at Reuben’s Franschhoek, on the eve of a charity Polo Cup match at Val de Vie, the main purpose of his visit to the Cape. It is the second visit by the Prince to the restaurant.

Restaurant Manager and sister of Reuben Riffel Carmen Wontyi was very kind in sharing information about the Royal dinner. The Prince’s party was welcomed via a back entrance and seated in the narrow passage section alongside the kitchen so that it was not visible to other guests in the restaurant. She shared that they were thanked for their arrangements in making the visit as discreet as possible. Only one couple in the restaurant recognized the Prince. Carmen said that they had an embargo until yesterday to announce the visit by the Prince.

The Prince enjoyed a starter of Beef Tartare and a main course of Pork Belly. The Prince’s entourage included members of his Sentebale charity as well as security staff.

The Prince was in the Valley for the Sentebale Royal Salute Polo Cup at Val de Vie on Saturday. It has been widely reported, as he came off his horse twice, but was unharmed. The Cup has been held for six years running, and it is the first time that it has been hosted in Africa. The charity was jointly founded in 2006 by Prince Harry and Prince Seeiso of Lesotho, to deliver support and education to children affected by extreme poverty and HIV/AIDS in Lesotho, reports eNCA.

The Prince visited the Ottery Youth Centre yesterday, after meeting Archbishop Tutu and honoring him with the Queen’s ‘Companions of Honour‘ award for his contribution to peace and reconciliation in the world. He also visited the Khayelitsha Football for Hope project.

Today the Prince is in Durban, to visit an organization using sport to drive social development. The surfing program empowers former street children. A visit to the Kruger Park follows, to create awareness for the importance of rhino anti-poaching action.

The visit by Prince Harry has been excellent PR for  our country as well as the Cape!

POSTSCRIPT 1/12: Chef Reuben sent an sms with further clarification. He is involved in the charity Organisation Hope through Action. The organiser of this charity also organises the Prince’s Sentebale charity.

Sources: Channel 24, eNCA, Reuben’s Franschhoek.

Chris von Ulmenstein, WhaleTales Blog: www.whalecottage.com/blog  Tel 082 55 11 323 Twitter:@WhaleCottage  Facebook:  click here