By Emily Kent Smith in Grenada for The Daily Mail UK

Prince Harry was left stranded after the Navy ship he is using broke down

He was due to leave St Vincent on Saturday on board RFA Wave Knight

But the ship would not start and Harry’s plans were plunged into chaos

Prince Harry was left stranded after the Navy ship he is travelling on broke down during his tour of the Caribbean.

The Prince was due to leave the island of St Vincent on Saturday evening and spend the night moored offshore but the ship, RFA Wave Knight, would not start.

Saturday was then meant to be a ‘travel day’, with the boat sailing on to the island of Grenada. The journey was meant to take six hours, with Harry and his party stopping for lunch on a deserted island on the way, and the Palace had allowed more than 24 hours for the trip, which is less than 100 miles by air. But their plans were plunged into chaos.

The group stayed on board in the hope that the ship could be re-started but yesterday afternoon they remained stranded. The Prince, 32, is spending a total of six days on the Royal Fleet Auxiliary boat during his 15-day tour of the Caribbean on behalf of the Queen.

RFA Wave Knight, a fast fleet tanker that entered Royal Navy service in 2003, developed an undisclosed ‘technical fault’ and engineers have been working round the clock to fix it.

The fifth in line to the throne was due to attend engagements on Grenada from 9am local time today and last night the palace was desperately trying to ensure that he would fulfil his commitments. If the ship cannot be restarted the team may have to charter a plane, which could cost thousands, and find hotels to stay in.

IMAGE: Prince Harry (pictured in Saint Vincent and the Grenadines on Saturday) was stranded after the Navy ship he is travelling on broke down during his tour of the Caribbean – Getty

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UPDATE: Harry arrives in Grenada despite ship difficulties

From News & Star

Prince Harry has arrived in Grenada by boat, despite problems with the supply ship ferrying him around the Caribbean.

The prince was forced to spend the night on an undisclosed St Vincent island following a technical issue with the tanker, Royal Fleet Auxiliary Wave Knight, which has been his home for much of his tour of the region.

It is believed an intermittent problem with a bow thruster meant the vessel could not leave dock in St Vincent on time. When it finally set sail, Harry, who spent part of the day on a neighbouring island having lunch, could not be transferred to the vessel at night.

Harry caught up with RFA Wave Knight when a helicopter was used to transport him on board during the early hours of this morning.

He received a ceremonial welcome when a tender transported him to a cruise ship terminal in the capital of Grenada, St George’s.

Waiting to greet the royal visitor, who wore a dark suit, shirt and tie, was the Queen’s representative in the country, Governor General Dame Cecile la Grenade, dressed in a smart pink skirt suit and a hat.

Caribbean culture was represented by a group of dancers dressed in colourful patterned skirts and bright lipstick who performed for Harry as a steel band played.

He was handed a red orchid by a young girl, immediately saying “thank you”, before asking her what flower it was.

A guard of honour, formed in two lines, was inspected by the prince before he left for his first engagement.

IMAGES:
Prince Harry arrives at community sports event at Queens Park Grounds, Grenada
Prince Harry arrives at the Grenada Cruise Port

For more on this story go to: http://www.newsandstar.co.uk/news/national/article/Harry-arrives-in-Grenada-despite-ship-difficulties-5ac50c36-527c-4272-af52-aed0f2d5dea3-ds