Prince Harry arrives in Nepal, will tour quake-hit areas

Britain's Prince Harry began a five-dayofficial trip to Nepal on Saturday, meeting with the prime ministerand attending a ceremony to mark 200 years of relations between thetwo nations.

Hundreds of people cheered as the 31-year-old prince came out ofKathmandu's airport.

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He later met with Prime Minister Khadga PrasadOli at his official residence and attended a ceremony hosted byNepal's government.

During his trip, Harry will tour areas hit by last year'sdevastating earthquake and visit a camp for displaced quakesurvivors. People are hoping his visit will draw attention toNepal's struggle to recover from the disaster.

9,000 died in lastApril's quake

The April 25, 2015, quake killed nearly 9,000 people, destroyedabout 1 million homes and damaged many old temples,palaces andother old structures in Patan and Kathmandu, the capital. Nepaleseauthorities have been slow to push ahead with rebuilding efforts.

The prince will also stay with a family that includes men whoserved in the British army's famed Gurkha regiments, the unit thatHarry served with in Afghanistan.

The Gurkhas have served in the British army for 200 years andhave a reputation for being brave, tenacious fighters. Thousands ofyoung Nepali men attempt to pass the grueling test to become aGurkha, but only a few get through.

Harry is the first British royal to visit Nepal since the country's monarchy was abolished in 2008 following street protests. Sincethen, the Himalayan country has turned into a republic, with apresident chosen by a parliament.

The prince will alsomeet withPresident Bidhya Devi Bhandari during his trip.