HRH Prince Harry’s speech in Sao Paulo to mark the Queen’s official birthday. || 25 June, 2014
Ambassador, Consul General, Ladies and Gentlemen - Boa noite.
I am delighted to celebrate the official birthday of Her Majesty with you this evening, and especially pleased to do so in Brazil, a country with whom the United Kingdom has such broad and strong relations. This is my second visit to Brazil and I am delighted to have the opportunity to explore a little more of this wonderfully vibrant and fascinating country. In particular, to be here in the city of São Paulo, the economic hub of Brazil and one of the biggest cities in the world. Once again, I have been struck by the warmth of the welcome I have received, in Brasilia, Belo Horizonte and here in Sao Paolo, a place which has a long history of links to the United Kingdom. In 1894 a Brazilian man of British ancestry, Charles Miller, brought a rule book and a football with him from the United Kingdom. The rest, as you know, is football history. What we invented, Brazil perfected. In the UK we would like to think of this as an act of typical British generosity, but in truth, it is more an act of typical Brazilian creativity, which I hope will bring you huge success in your world cup! The story of football shows what the partnership between the UK and Brazil can do. It is a partnership which goes from motor racing to music, from motorbikes to driverless cars, all of which are on display here in this atrium. Above all it’s a partnership between people, whether that’s Brazilian students studying in the UK or British and Brazilian charity workers helping some of the most at risk groups here in São Paulo and elsewhere in Brazil. I have been fortunate to meet some of these people during my visit. These ties and shared experiences bring with them a mutual respect and shared fondness for our different cultures. I am delighted that British citizens are contributing to social developments in the country but that is only half of the story, they are also heavily involved in the extraordinary economic transformation which has and is taking place in Brazil. Britain can and does contribute to that in so many ways; through our companies, through our education, through our culture, through our sport, and above all through our human contacts. The United Kingdom made a huge contribution to Brazil from the time of its independence in the 19th century. In the 20th century our two countries drifted apart. Now, in the 21st century, I am delighted to see that we are closer together again. Lastly, I would just like to say how much I have enjoyed the last few days here in this passionate country. From watching Brazil play football in front of 70,000 screaming fans, to planting trees in the Atlantic Forest, it has all made me love this country even more since my last visit to Rio two years ago. Some of the Children’s stories in Dia Dema have reduced me to tears, but the smiles on their faces show the positive impact their community is having on them and the success of ACER.
When I am here I feel like one of you and for that I thank you.
Obrigado.
