Prince Harry Gets “Jersey Strong”

A sentence I never thought I would say: Prince Harry visited the Jersey Shore this morning.   It was quite lovely to wake up in my own bed and drive a mere 30 minutes to greet the young prince this morning as he visited the Seaside boardwalk – an area brutally damaged by Hurricane Sandy. However he had one very significant detour prior to  gracing us with his presence on the boardwalk – he helicoptered to Mantoloking to meet Governor Chris Christie, touring damaged homes and greeting first responders. Oh, and it was better than I could have imagined because the Governor gave His Royal Highness an official Chris Christie fleece – the constant for Jersey residents as we rode out the storm six months ago.

Upon arriving in Seaside, Governor Christie showed Harry the infamous roller-coaster submerged in the ocean; the ride was finally removed almost the moment the prince departed. Then came the cuteness – Harry played classic boardwalk games with a group of twenty-five young children from Seaside Elementary School. My former high school science teacher turned Seaside principal, Chris Reichel, said he asked teachers to select the students who would be the best fit for fun and games with the prince – and he was blocking a gaggle of female teachers from jumping on the bus this morning. While the older children were well aware of what was going on and were excited  he said, the younger ones were a bit more overwhelmed by all the press. Mr. Reichel told me that one young student asked Prince Harry, “where’s your crown?”

When asked about the seeing New Jersey in recovery mode, Prince Harry said: “They’re fantastic, its American spirit.” He then elaborated on the resilience of the Jersey Shore, “Everyone getting together and making things right. Its fantastic, its really good.”

Harry, I could not agree more. Please, feel free to visit whenever you would like. I know a great pizza place to take you. Needless to say, I am thrilled he visited the area that I call “home,” and am hopeful that his visit will bring attention back to the shore – six months may have passed, but Hurricane Sandy is still a daily struggle.

Prince Harry’s US Tour: There’s No Place Like Jersey

It’s almost that time – Prince Harry and a slew of royal reporters from across the pond will be arriving at the Jersey Shore in just under two weeks (cue jumping up and down and clapping). Although the prince and his posse will only be here for a short time, I feel it is my duty and as a royal watching, Jersey Shore native to prepare you all accordingly.

So, what can be expected when you all arrive in Jersey on May 14th?

If you fly into Newark airport, at first you might be all, um.. where am I? Why are we visiting this smoke infested state?

Don’t worry, they just chose to put the airport in the one teeny, tiny area that is used for industrial ugliness.

Then, you will look to your left, see something like this and quickly change your tune..

You will head down the Garden State Parkway..

You will arrive at the Sandy-ravaged shore and your heart will break a little..

But behind all that rubble, you will still be in awe of your surroundings and Harry will be all “I can’t wait to summer here with the in-laws after Kelly and I get married..”

And you will see that we are rebuilding, coming back stronger than ever..

Finally, Governor Christie will make an appearance and you will most likely get a colorful comment of sorts..

After all that time outside, breathing in the fresh ocean air, you might be getting a bit hungry..

Pork roll, egg and cheese on a hard roll – does not get more Jersey than this

Contrary to popular belief, you will not see any of this because surprise! These clowns are not even from New Jersey..

So put Bruce Springsteen on repeat, throw your preconceived notions to the wind and be prepared for a morning in a beautiful place. Oh, and you will also see this girl..

Get used to seeing her around, word on the beach is that Prince Harry will be falling in love with her and whisking her back to England.