Harry ‘very excited’ about upcoming birth as he greets young royal fan

The Duke of Sussex laughed and joked with a four-year-old girl who presented him with a bouquet of flowers for his pregnant wife as the birth of their first child approaches.

The father-to-be, who said he was “very excited” about the upcoming birth, looked relaxed as he chatted with four-year-old Zofia Zolenkowska, who had been practising her curtsy beforehand.

Harry joined hundreds of soldiers, veterans and beneficiaries at the 12th Big Curry Lunch hosted by the Lord Mayor of the City of London at The Guildhall, which has raised more than £1.9 million since 2008 to support soldiers and veterans who have served in Iraq and Afghanistan.

The duke, who is expecting a baby with wife Meghan later this month or in early May, was also given a handmade wooden baby rattle and an off-white cashmere baby set – which included a shawl, bonnet, booties and mittens, as well as beige lounge socks for the duchess – during the visit.

This year’s lunch was organised in aid of the ABF The Soldiers’ Charity, the Royal Navy and Royal Marines Charity and the Royal Air Force Benevolent Fund.

The duke spent 10 years serving in the armed forces, ending operational duties in 2015.

During his service he conducted two tours of duty to Afghanistan with the Army.

Mark Stevens, a former soldier in the 1st Battalion, the Duke of Lancaster’s Regiment, remembered his time serving alongside the duke in Afghanistan.

“Prince Harry would get called in, especially by me, on a number of occasions,” Mr Stevens said.

“He used to ‘save my bacon’ when I was a sergeant.”