Exciting Meet-Up in Botswana

I have to admit, I'm missing Maun, Botswana a little more this week. Yes, because of the kids, my friends, and the beauty of course, but even more so because of this...

FANS of the World Cup have been driven to despair by its irritating drone during every match.

But Prince William yesterday gave the vuvuzela the royal seal of approval.

He blew the notorious plastic horn during an official royal tour of southern Africa, and found himself outblasted by an 11-year-old.

Prince William has a go at blowing a vuvuzela after arriving at a football training session for young children in Maun, Botswana

Prince William has a go at blowing a vuvuzela after arriving at a football training session for young children in Maun, Botswana

William was in northern Botswana for a football event with more than 250 schoolchildren, while his brother Harry travelled to neighbouring Lesotho where his own charity is based.

William was presented with the green trumpet by primary schooboy Rebaone Badubi, 11.

But the prince asked the youngster, who barely topped 4ft, to have a go first.

He then blew the vuvuzela himself, declaring his feeble parp 'embarrassing'.

William listens to a vuvuzela
Prince William winces as a yoiung child plays the vuvuzela

William listens as Rebaone Badubi, 11, tries out the vuvuzela, leaving the prince holding his ears in pain

The 27-year-old is apparently not as sensitive to the noise as thousands of British TV viewers, who have called for them to be banned.

A royal aide said: 'He has had a bit of a go with them already.'

British fans could soon be given respite from the trumpets, after it was revealed the BBC is considering offering an option to strip out crowd noise using the red button following hundreds of complaints about their 144-decibel noise.

World Cup officials have ruled out a ban because they are 'part of the culture of South Africa', while the horns are being sold in British supermarkets at a rate of one every two seconds.

Prince William plays in goal during the coaching session... and finds himself the target of more than just one shot

Prince William plays in goal during the coaching session... and finds himself the target of more than just one shot

Earlier at the Tusk Trust charity event in the city of Maun, William met American pop star Joe Jonas, who was representing the Jonas Brothers' charity Change for the Children.

Hoards of screaming teenagers welcomed the 20-year-old Christian - who has vowed to remain celibate before marriage - while some were less impressed by the British prince.

Schoolgirl Megan Butler, 16, said: 'I love Joe Jonas - he's very good-looking. I like Prince William as well (but) I'm most excited about seeing Joe Jonas.'

Her friend Emma Sandenbergh, 14, added: 'Joe's got more than William so he's better looking.'

William dribbles the ball on the pitch with the hundreds of local children taking part in the session

William dribbles the ball on the pitch with the hundreds of local children taking part in the session

William also acted as goalkeeper to defend penalties from the children, and played a version of the playground game British Bulldog, which has been banned at several schools in the UK under health and safety rules.

The prince accidentally knocked one young child over on the grass, before helping him up and carrying on with the rough-and-tumble.

In his role as the royal patron of the Tusk Trust charity, he said: 'Sport gives us a purpose and a sense of belonging through being part of a team.

Prince William meets American singer Joe Jonas, who was looking at the work of the Jonas Brothers' charity Change for the Children

Prince William meets American singer Joe Jonas, who was looking at the work of the Jonas Brothers' charity Change for the Children

'It gives us fitness and health. It gives us respect for skills and talents of others. These qualities are shared by the extraordinary creatures that surround us, particularly in Botswana.

'The wild dogs that work as a team and can run rings around even the best organised defence in the World Cup, even Germany's.

'The slowest cheetah that ever lived could beat Ronaldo to the ball. The impala's awareness and agility makes even (former premiership footballer) Lucas Radebe's awesome dribbling skills look, well, rather like mine.'

William wasn't alone in trying out the vuvuzela, Mayor of London Boris Johnson tried one out on the Waterfront in Cape Town, South Africa

William wasn't alone in trying out the vuvuzela, Mayor of London Boris Johnson gave one a blow on the Waterfront in Cape Town, South Africa



Here's a fun video from abc news, showing them at the stadium in Maun. I'm a little sad I'm not there, but I'm so excited for all my kiddos and friends in Bots!

And here's Joe meeting my former class! Gosh, I miss these kids!

Photo from Jana Lackey