Prince Harry visits Sultan Qaboos Grand Mosque in Muscat, Oman. (Photo by Eddie Mulholland - Pool/Getty Images) Although used to carrying a ceremonial sword as a captain in the Blues and Royals, Prince Harry has never been known to get into a sword fight – until now.
On a visit to an ancient fort in Oman, the Prince was challenged to a duel by a 60-year-old folk dancer. After being handed a 3ft long blade and a tiny wooden shield by Mohammed Moussa, the Prince giggled delightedly as he briefly fenced with him.
Although the contest was a mismatch in terms of age, Mr Moussa, with decades of practise behind him, parried every lunge the Prince attempted, making it that rarest of events in sword-fighting, an honourable draw.
Earlier, Mr Moussa, the leader of the Nizwa folklore band, had taught the Prince how to do a traditional “sword shimmer” as part of a folk dance.
Under Mr Moussa’s guidance, the Prince tried to make the blade wobble by flicking the handle in one of the trademark moves of the Razha sword dance, exclaiming: “This is mad.”
The Prince encountered the sword dancers as he was taken on a tour of the Nizwa Fort, Oman’s most visited national monument, on the second day of his tour of the Middle East.
Britain’s Prince Harry performing with a sword and shield during a visit to the historic city of Nizwa, west of Muscat. AFP/Getty Images/MAN NEWS AGENCY (ONA)
The fort was built in the 1650s by Imam Sultan Bin Saif Al Ya’rubi, but its foundations date back to the 12th century.
As he arrived in the town in 85F (30C) heat, the Prince was given a large bouquet by a girl from a school run by the Omani Women’s Association.
What he was not told was that the children had brought a second bouquet, expecting that a visiting prince would arrive with a princess.
Clearly his reputation as the world’s most eligible bachelor does not extend as far as the Gulf.
Jalila Al-Sabahi, one of the children’s teachers, said: “There were two bouquets, one for him and one for his wife, only he has no wife so we just gave him one. The children thought the princess was coming too.”
Later, the Prince indulged in a spot of Christmas shopping in the Muttrah souk in Muscat and came out laden with gifts (if you happen to be a member of the Royal family and don’t want to spoil the surprise, do not read on).
His spending spree started with a cashmere scarf that would make a perfect gift for the Duchess of Cambridge.
Prince Harry visits the Old Muttrah Souk in Muscat, Oman. (Photo by Darren Fletcher – Pool/Getty Images)
Next up was a camel cuddly toy, bought for three rials (pounds 5), that Prince George will surely find in his stocking.
The Royal family is known to give each other cheap, light-hearted presents for Christmas, laying out each person’s gifts in piles on tables at Sandringham. This year, the Duke of Cambridge might get the chance to try his hand at making a turban after his brother bought a grey and red cotton masar, or turban scarf, for five rials (pounds 9).
The Prince completed his shopping trip by picking up a brightly coloured cotton tote bag and a small inlaid wooden box in the shape of a treasure chest, which Ghayth Qodmani, the shopkeeper, insisted on giving him as gifts. The Duchess of Cornwall and the Prince of Wales could be in luck.
Unlike the Queen, the Prince carries cash and took loose notes out of his trouser pocket to pay for the gifts.
Prince Harry visits the Old Muttrah Souk in Muscat, Oman. (Photo by Darren Fletcher – Pool/Getty Images)
He was sufficiently impressed with the sights of the souk that he pulled out his iPhone and asked his private secretary, Edward Lane-Fox, to take some scenic photographs for him. In one of the shops in the market, called Alauddin City, the Prince picked up an Aladdin-style oil lamp and grinned as he gave it a rub.
He left empty-handed – and genie-less – but the shop’s owner, Jamal Al-Bloushi, 35, said: “I was very honoured and would have given him a good price.
“Prince Harry said he was very happy to be in Oman. Last week John Kerry [the US secretary of state] bought a dagger from me. I was very happy.
“Prince Harry didn’t buy anything but he was very interested in looking around. I hope he will come back.”
Popping into another shop, called Royal Kashmir, the Prince picked up a tunic which he thought was for a man – but hurriedly put it down when told it was a woman’s dress.
The Daily Telegraph
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