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Prince Harry joins rock royalty Jon Bon Jovi at Abbey Road studios

Prince Harry has joined Jon Bon Jovi at a recording session in Abbey Road studios, and recreated the iconic Beatles photo during his visit.

The duke dropped in on Bon Jovi and the Invictus Games choir at the studios, where the rock legend is working on this year’s Invictus Games song.

The 57-year-old rocker is in London to put down a new version of his song Unbroken in support of the games in May in the Netherlands.

Harry was greeted outside the infamous studios on a wet Friday morning, before the Sussex Royal instagram shared a video of him at the microphone next to Bon Jovi.

But it was later confirmed that Harry’s voice won’t be on the track.

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Posting a round-up video of the day, Sussex Royal wrote: “Although The Duke was unable to sing, leaving the vocals to the professionals, the special single that was recorded in Studio 2 where The Beatles recorded 11 out of their 13 albums, and will be released in March in support of the @WeAreInvictusGames.”

Britain's Prince Harry, Jon Bon Jovi and two choir members walk on the famous zebra crossing that The Beatles walked across, during a visit at Abbey Road Studios in London, Britain February 28, 2020. REUTERS/Henry Nicholls
The group recreated the famous Beatles picture. (Reuters)
The Duke of Sussex, Jon Bon Jovi and members of the Invictus Games Choir walk on the famous zebra crossing outside the Abbey Road Studios in London.
The group had a couple of attempts at getting the picture. (Press Association)

Later, Harry, Bon Jovi and two of the choir members braved the rain to get their own version of the Abbey Road picture.

The crossing has Grade II listed status and every year, hundreds of music fans flock to get their own version of the photo.

Police stopped traffic for Prince Harry, Bon Jovi, former serviceman Andy Mudd and Susan Warner, to get the shot.

The duke was out for the first time since the Canadian government announced they would not be paying for the couple’s security after they stop royal duties.

The Duke of Sussex meets Jon Bon Jovi and members of the Invictus Games Choir during his visit Abbey Road Studios in London.
The Duke of Sussex meets Jon Bon Jovi outside the studios on Friday. (Press Association)
Jon Bon Jovi (right) greets the Duke of Sussex at the Abbey Road Studios in London where they will meet members of the Invictus Games Choir. PA Photo. Picture date: Friday February 28, 2020. They are recording a special single in aid of the Invictus Games Foundation. See PA story ROYAL Sussex. Photo credit should read: Victoria Jones/PA Wire
Jon Bon Jovi greets Prince Harry ahead of the session at Abbey Road studios. (Press Association)

The royals teased the visit with a video on their account last week, in which they mocked up a jokey exchange centred around Bon Jovi having an idea for how to spend some of his time in the UK.

The duke looked relaxed as he met Bon Jovi on the steps at Abbey Road before they were shown into the control room overlooking Studio 2 - where The Beatles recorded during the 1960s.

Sussex Royal also shared a picture of Harry with a guitar, next to Bon Jovi.

The pair had a private meeting, after which the duke joked with an engineer: “We’ve been gargling next door, so we’re ready to go.”

Read more: Canada to stop paying Harry and Meghan's security costs in coming weeks

The Duke of Sussex meets Jon Bon Jovi and members of the Invictus Games Choir during his visit Abbey Road Studios in London.
Bon Jovi showed the duke the ropes at Abbey Road. (Press Association)
The Duke of Sussex meets Jon Bon Jovi during his visit Abbey Road Studios in London.
Bon Jovi offered to re-record the song for the games. (Press Association)

The song Unbroken was originally written by Bon Jovi to draw attention to veterans living with post-traumatic stress disorder and mark their service.

He has a close link with the military as both of his parents served in the US Marine Corps.

The Invictus Games is one of the projects Harry has been most passionate about, founding it to give injured or sick military personnel an international multi-sport event.

Last year, Bon Jovi wrote to the prince to offer to re-record the song for the games.

The Duke of Sussex meets members of the Invictus Games Choir during his visit Abbey Road Studios in London. PA Photo. Picture date: Friday February 28, 2020. They are recording a special single in aid of the Invictus Games Foundation. See PA story ROYAL Sussex. Photo credit should read: Hannah McKay/PA Wire
The Duke of Sussex meets members of the Invictus Games Choir who are recording the song. (Press Association)

Read more: Prince Harry is 'relaxed' and 'defiant' over future, says Travalyst conference host

While the prince and the popstar met, Buckingham Palace marked the event by playing a medley of Bon Jovi songs during the Changing of the Guard.

Before the recording, Bon Jovi referred to the duke as “the artist formerly known as prince” when he joined Zoe Ball on her show on Radio 2.

The Duke of Sussex meets Jon Bon Jovi and members of the Invictus Games Choir during his visit Abbey Road Studios in London.
Harry and Bon Jovi with the choir. (Press Association)
The Duke of Sussex, Jon Bon Jovi and members of the Invictus Games Choir after they walked on the famous zebra crossing outside the Abbey Road Studios in London. PA Photo. Picture date: Friday February 28, 2020. They are recording a special single in aid of the Invictus Games Foundation at the studios. See PA story ROYAL Sussex. Photo credit should read: Victoria Jones/PA Wire
Harry and Bon Jovi with one of the choir members. (Press Association)

Bon Jovi described it as “pretty special” that Harry was joining him in the famous studio in the wake of the Megxit crisis.

“In light of everything that’s gone on in his life, for him to be coming back and this be the first thing on his docket I think was pretty special,” he said.

Read more: 'Call me Harry' says Duke of Sussex as he arrives back in UK for final royal duties

Jon Bon Jovi awaits the arrival of the Duke of Sussex at the Abbey Road Studios in London where they will meet members of the Invictus Games Choir. PA Photo. Picture date: Friday February 28, 2020. They are recording a special single in aid of the Invictus Games Foundation. See PA story ROYAL Sussex. Photo credit should read: Victoria Jones/PA Wire
Jon Bon Jovi waits for the duke at the iconic studios. (Press Association)

Friday’s visit is one of many for Prince Harry as he marks his final month as a senior member of the royal family.

From 31 March, he and his wife Meghan will step back from their duties and will work toward financial independence, not getting any money from the crown.

Prince Harry’s return to the UK started with a trip to Edinburgh where he hosted a conference for his travel project Travalyst.

Next week, the Duchess of Sussex will join him at events such as the Endeavour Fund awards and the Mountbatten Festival of Music.

Read more: Harry and Meghan reveal transition details and confirm end of Sussex Royal branding