'˜Compassionate' Prince Harry visits flood-hit homes

“I take my hat off to you” was his message to soldiers from the 2nd Battalion, The Duke of Lancaster’s Regiment, who spent their Christmas and New Year helping out in flood-hit regions.

The prince, dressed casually in jeans, suede boots and a waterproof jacket, arrived at Weeton Barracks at 11.15am on Friday to thank soldiers and their families for their efforts.

He spent the first 10 minutes of his visit speaking to pupils from Weeton Primary School, asking how their Christmases were affected by their parents working to ease flooding.

Then he was ushered inside the Officer’s Mess, where he was show photographs of soldiers at work in the water, and talked to them about their tasks.

Speaking to commanding officer Lt Col Hamish Cormack, he said: “The fact everything that went wrong as in your area was a disaster.

“Fingers crossed for no more weird weather.”

Agreeing with an officer the weather seemed to have got worse since storms began to be named by the MET Office, he said: “We’re copying the Americans, but they’re looking at us, saying, ‘That’s not a storm.’”

The Prince then met five groups of soldiers who worked in different areas across the North of England.

Speaking to those deployed to Carlisle, he said: “I love the stories I’ve heard about the community spirit and everyone getting involved.

“I take my hat off to you guys, dropping everything at a moment’s notice.”

Colour Sgt Andrew Pearce, who was part of the group, said: “It’s nice to get some recognition, and to get some recognition for the area’s too.