Just the nicest thing
As if we didn't already love Prince Harry enough, he's gone and given us yet another reason to: Yesterday, he live streamed himself being tested for HIV in order to help spread awareness and smash the stigma surrounding the disease.
The idea was to show just how quick, easy and important it is to be tested for the illness, with the five minute Facebook Live video being streamed on The Royal Family's Facebook page from Guys and St Thomas' Hospital in London.
The simple pin prick test only takes a minute to yield results. 'It's amazing how quick it is,' Prince Harry said after the test was done: 'So whether you're a man, woman, gay, straight, black white, whatever - even ginger - why wouldn't you come and have a test?'
facebook.com/TheBritishMonarchy
The procedure was conducted by Robert Palmer, a leading health adviser, who praised the prince for highlighting the issue. 'I think the fear is not knowing more than anything else' he said. 'I think what you've proved today is that's it's important for everyone to come and do this.' Find out how to get tested by visiting nhs.uk.
A statement posted to the Facebook page a few hours later said: 'HIV rates in the UK continue to rise despite years of progress in treating the illness and one of the biggest factors has been that up to 17% of HIV positive patients are unaware of their and unintentionally pass on the virus to partners.
'Prince Harry believes until everyone feels relaxed about taking HIV tests - whether from high risk groups or not - then tackling the stigma and fear surrounding HIV testing will continue to allow the virus to win.'
Prince Harry will continue to support the fight against HIV and AIDS by attending the World AIDS 2016 conference in Durban, South Africa, next week.
What a guy.
