Prince Harry returns to US, charms first lady

Prince Harry, back in the US after the naked Vegas photos controversy, was at his charming best with women squealing in excitement at the sight of the British Royal, who met Michelle Obama at the White House. On a week-long tour of the US, he arrived here on Thursday to promote Britain and his charities.

Rarely has such squealing been heard in the corridors of the Capitol when the 28-year-old third-in-line to the British throne turned up for a visit on Thursday. And then more squealing when he appeared at a White House tea party for an unexpected drop-in with a crowd of stunned military mothers and grandmothers. And he topped it off with a glittering, sweltering, intimate gathering of American VIPs at a reception and dinner at the British Embassy, reported the USA Today.

But Thursday was mostly about the festive, and never mind Washington's typical humidity, although Harry was seen wiping his brow at the reception on Friday evening. Earlier, he was the one who caused women to feel faint and children to squeal.

"Well, surprise!" exclaimed first lady Michelle Obama, co-hosted by second lady Jill Biden at the White House party, as tables of women and kids clapped and cheered and Harry blushed and grinned beside her.

Harry arrived at Dulles International Airport on Thursday afternoon on a commercial flight from London for the first day of a week-long visit to the US to promote Britain, raise money for charity and cheer on wounded veterans. He headed first to Capitol Hill to see an exhibit on clearing land mines (a cause dear to heart of his late mother, Princess Diana), accompanied by Senator John McCain.

While touring the exhibit, Harry was interested and animated, and flashed many broad smiles. Every time the crowd outside of the rotunda caught a glimpse of him through the arches, cheers echoed in the space.

McCain was impressed. He told reporters later that Harry was charming, funny and genuinely interested in land mine clearance (he's now the royal patron of the group).