Prince proves ‘HIV test is for everybody’
PRINCE Harry has been tested for HIV as he continued his campaign to raise awareness about tackling the virus.
He confessed he was “nervous” before the simple finger-prick procedure at a London sexual health clinic. After a few moments the result came back negative.
It was the first time a member of the Royal Family had been publicly tested for HIV and was akin to the efforts of his late mother Diana, Princess of Wales, to break down the stigma surrounding the disease.
Ian Green, chief executive of the Terrence Higgins Trust, praised the prince for his “genuine and personal commitment to tackling HIV”.
He described it as a “groundbreaking moment in the fight against HIV” that would help normalise testing and inspire a new generation to take control of their sexual health.
The test was performed by Robert Palmer, a lead health adviser and psychosexual counsellor, in a small cubicle at the Burrell Street centre. Before the procedure, Harry admitted he was nervous, which Mr Palmer said was “not surprising because you’re going to be doing a test and you’re going to find out something about yourself, by having the test done”.
An estimated 11,000 people in the UK unaware they have the virus.
Asked about the significance of a member of the Royal Family being tested, Mr Palmer said: ‘’It means this is a test for everybody – it doesn’t matter who you are, it’s a good idea to have an HIV test.’’