Prince Harry will be making his first formal visit to America in late May! He’s only coming to New York, though (heads up, Jaybird!). The biggest reason for his visit is to participate in some kind of epic polo game, the Veuve Clicquot Manhattan Polo Classic. So I suppose we’ll see him in those lovely tight white polo pants, with extra Ginger Bulge for American fans.

The Ginger Prince is also going to pay his respects to the victims of September 11th by laying a wreath at the memorial. Then he will met with some injured servicemen, veterans from the Iraq and Afghanistan wars. Also on his agenda: visiting the Harlem Children’s Zone. Busy trip:

Calling all wannabe princesses and polo fans! Prince Harry will be making his first-ever formal visit to the United States later this month to participate in the second annual Veuve Clicquot Manhattan Polo Classic – and the public is invited.

Taking place Saturday, May 30, on New York’s historic Governors Island, the match will pit Prince Harry, 24, – on the team captained by Nick Roldan – against team Black Watch, captained by polo hottie Nacho Figueras.

There will be areas open to the public at no charge as well as those requiring tickets. In reverence to the long-time polo tradition, VIP guests will be asked to dress for the occasion: women in hats and men in summer suits. And what’s a royal visit without afternoon tea? At the polo match, Sandro Micheli, executive pastry chef at Adour Alain Ducasse at The St. Regis New York, has created a special menu in honor of the occasion.

Veuve Clicquot Manhattan Polo Classic’s proceeds will benefit American Friends of Sentebale, a U.S.-based charity that supports at-risk children in Lesotho, Africa, and was founded in honor of Princess Diana and Queen ‘Mamohato of Lesotho.

“We look forward to providing spectators with an afternoon of sport and entertainment, surrounded by the magnificent Manhattan skyline,” says Veuve Clicquot’s Aisha Thompson. For more information and tickets check vcseason.com.

Paying Respect
During his visit, Harry will pay his respects and lay a wreath in memory of those who died on 9/11, as well as meet American service personnel. “He will meet privately with young men who have been wounded,” says a palace spokesman of the prince’s “lightning visit.” “Harry wants to get under the skin of the thing and find out how injured personnel are cared for.”

He will also visit Harlem Children’s Zone with Prince Seeiso of Lesotho, who is co-patron of the charity. Harry’s grandmother, Queen Elizabeth, is paying privately for Harry’s travel and that of his staff. The prince last visited America as a child during a mini-tour of Canada with his father Prince Charles and brother Prince William now 26.

[From People Magazine]

That’s weird that this will be the first time he’s visited the United States since he was a kid. Maybe they mean his first formal visit, because I’m sure somewhere along the line Prince Harry must have come to New York to party for a weekend or something like that. I’m sure he’ll get a great reception in New York – between the girls, the servicemen and the polo ponies, he’ll be one happy royal. My guess is that his agenda also includes at least one little visit with Mayor Bloomberg, who will probably do something nice like name a street after Prince Harry… perhaps “Ginger Boulevard”.

Prince Harry is shown on 3/21/09 watching England play Scotland in the Calcutta Cup. Credit: WENN.com