THIS is the moment a Hampshire war hero met Prince Harry – and helped to open the Warrior Games in America.

The prince accompanied Capt Dave Henson as he carried the Games torch inside the Olympic Training Centre in Colorado Springs, where competitors and their proud families watched.

Capt Henson then passed the torch to the prince, who took the flame on to a stage where he helped to ignite a cauldron.

It was a poignant moment for Capt Henson, who had both legs amputated after triggering an improvised explosive device (IED) while serving in Afghanistan two years ago.

The 28-year-old former serviceman, from Bitterne Park, Southampton, is now captain of Britain’s sitting volleyball team at the Games – a Paralympic-style event for wounded service members.

Over the next six days more than 250 injured athletes will compete in archery, cycling, shooting, swimming, track and field, wheelchair basketball and sitting volleyball.

Prince Harry, who recently returned from a second tour of duty of Afghanistan as an Apache attack helicopter pilot, spent time talking to competitors and competed in a sitting volleyball game.

Capt Henson, who will compete in swimming and track and field as well as volleyball, said: “He’s been on the ground and in the air.

“Harry was asking about the schedule for the Games and was saying it was bad that we couldn’t fit in basketball.

I’m glad he didn’t ask about my injuries. He just sees us as athletes.”

Capt Henson, who spent seven days in intensive care and underwent a series of operations following the blast in Helmand Province, added that Prince Harry took an interest in the athletes’ recovery and healthcare quality.

Meanwhile Ben Wagon, pictured left, who survived a car accident which killed his girlfriend Justine Emblin-Butler, has been selected to take part in the Warrior Games.

Ben, from Southampton, who was stationed in Yeovil as a Royal Navy helicopter engineer, is in training and will compete in 1,500m swimming and sitting volleyball.

His mum Tracey Wagon said: “We are extremely proud of Ben as he has had to work very hard to achieve this.”