PRINCE Harry has told how his mum is still his inspiration - then vowed to continue Princess Diana's work for AIDS victims.

In an emotional speech in the US on his first official overseas tour he pledged to continue her crusade to help African children struck down or orphaned by the disease.

He told a celebrity fundraising dinner in New York how he set up his charity called Sentebale in Lesotho with a prince whose mother had died.

Harry, 24, said: "Prince Seeiso and I both lost our mothers when we were young. We set up Sentebale in their memory.

Hope

"Sentebale is the Lesotho word for the flower forget-me-not."

 "This beautiful kingdom has been ravaged by HIV/AIDS and poverty, leaving thousands of children without parents to look after them. 

"We hoped to create a charity that would transform children's lives, giving them a sense of hope and security. We really do believe that Sentebale is doing this."

Before addressing celebs -including actress Kate Hudson and rapper Kanye West-and playing polo, Harry visited rundown Harlem - just like his mother, who died in Paris car crash in 1997.

Diana stunned the world when she comforted a baby who had AIDS in 1989, shattering the taboo over touching sufferers.

Just like her the prince - whose visit was privately funded by the Queen - has also been a sensation in the Big Apple, attracting cheering crowds.

Army officer Harry, who is training to be a combat helicopter pilot, visited the site of the World Trade Center on Friday.

He stood head bowed in silence after laying a wreath at the spot where nearly 3,000 died on September 11, 2001. The prince was also taken to the a veterans' medical centre to see the latest false limbs worn by injured troops.

Ex-soldier Paul Yarbrough, 41, who lost both hands, shook hands with the Harry with his prosthetic replacements. The easy-going prince pretended he'd crushed his hand.

Harry was joined by Royal Marine Joe Townsend, 21, who lost both legs in a landmine blast in Afghanistan near where the Prince was also commanding his troops in February last year.

Royal Editor Robert Jobson says...

HARRY'S natural ease and the way he carried out his first official overseas duties with a smile surely means he is ready to take on his mother's role.

After all, his style in New York - mixing effortlessly with A-listers and Joe Public - was poignantly reminiscent of the Queen of Hearts. He even evoked memories of his mum in Luxembourg in 1993 when he planted a tree in the British Garden.

Harry has served valiantly on the frontline in Afghanistan. Surely now is the time for him to continue serving the nation as a symbol of hope.

Promoting the plight of our injured servicemen, helping AIDS orphans, and representing our hard-working Queen abroad would be better use of his time and our money than flying choppers.

His whistlestop trip has given the royals a younger, more relevant feel. And better still the Queen, not the taxpayer, has picked up most of the tab.

Harry has proved he has substance and is much more than just a party prince.

His mother would have been proud.

Balloons & Royals

HARRY'S GAME: The prince runs

PRINCE Harry has had to be tough as a Blues and Royals officer - so when it came to a bit of balloons and royal it was just child's play.

Fun-loving Harry, 24, sat on the balloons to burst them during a relay game at the Harlem Children's Zone in New York.

The street-tough kids loved hearing the loud bangs. But Harry's Secret Service service body guards nearly jumped out of their skin.

The prince is due back in the UK today to resume flying training.

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