As the rain restarted, he soldiered on rather than retreat. He did a bit of gardening, boasted about homemade vege soup and gave out cupcakes. Hannah Frauenstein got him to give her the flowers he held. "He was the first boy to give me flowers. It's love. Definitely worth the hail."
Earlier, the sun had played along for Prince Harry's visit to Canterbury Museum's Quake City and a Re:Start mall walkabout.
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It was there he had a reunion with his old Ludgrove School matron, Vicki McBratney. Now living in Christchurch, Mrs McBratney started at the Berkshire school soon after the death of Harry's mother, Diana, and remembered the Prince fondly as "a very lovely, funny, typical 12-year-old boy".
He remembered her too - she was the only one to get a hug and kiss from the Prince yesterday and he asked if she was happy living in Christchurch. "I wasn't sure he'd remember me after all these years but he did," said Mrs McBratney.
It seemed every red-haired child in town had been brought along as a Harry magnet.
First in line was Millie Dobson, 11, who spurned Prince William last year but came for Harry "because he's got the same colour hair as me". He stopped to discuss this, informing them his hair was "auburn".
In an interview with Sky News yesterday, the Prince had mused on settling down, having kids and someone to share the pressures of his role. It encouraged the usual wooing brigade out. Among them was Emma Stiven, 20, who tried the mercenary approach, holding a sign that said: "Harry ... I have hectares." The Prince asked what it meant and she told him her family had farmland in the Wairarapa. "I said to him, 'You can come and live on my estate'. I think I'm in."
He turned down an invitation to a school dance, but offered up Prime Minister John Key's son Max instead.
Nor was it just the young ones trying it on. Beverley wore her fuschia pink fascinator and pearls but was so aflutter she forgot what he said to her. "I don't wear my pearls for everyone."
Marie Malcolm, 70, urged him to "keep having fun". "He pointed at my eyes and said, 'I can see you like having fun too,"'
His primary role as present mule for Princess Charlotte was also clearly taking its toll.
When Millie handed over a carefully wrapped gift he asked if there was anything for him in it. There was an exaggerated groan of disappointment when told no, just a cot duvet cover for Charlotte.
But Harry's serious side also got an outing, as he was taken through the torn-up CBD and met some of those involved in the rescue effort.
Today the Prince visits Linton military camp near Palmerston North where Harry, who is in the British Army for a further month, will learn a haka, how to play touch and how to lift a hangi.
Harry's New Zealand agenda
Saturday, May 9: Wellington
• Arriving in New Zealand, greeted by Governor-General at Government House.
• Visiting the National War Memorial and Anzac Square.
• Attending Hurricanes vs Sharks Super 15 rugby match, Westpac Stadium.
May 10-11: Stewart Island
• Meeting locals and travelling to Ulva Island, a Department of Conservation open island sanctuary.
May 12: Christchurch
• Visiting the Quake City exhibition, mall, and meeting student volunteers from Canterbury University.
May 13: Palmerston North
• Visiting Linton Military Camp. He is to be taught the Army's haka.
May 14: Wanganui
• Powhiri at Putiki Marae followed by a waka experience.
• Meeting with veterans and a walkabout.
May 15: Auckland
• Visit to Southern Cross Campus School where he will view a cultural performance and meet with students.
• Visit to spinal rehabilitation unit.
• Visit to Turn your Life Around.
• Visit to Government House. There will be an evening reception to recognise emergency services.
May 16: Auckland
• FIFA U20 event, followed by a walkabout at The Cloud.
• Visit to High Performance Sport New Zealand at Mairangi Bay.
- Additional reporting Kurt Bayer and pool reporters
