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Prince Harry tours WWII monastery ruins in Italy

Prince Harry has reacted with amazement at the damage wreaked on an historic monastery during one of the Second World War's most important battles.

Harry is marking the 70th anniversary of the Battle of Monte Cassino by visiting the site of the Italian conflict and joining Poles, Britons and New Zealanders in honouring their war dead.

Prince Harry lays a wreath on behalf of The Queen on the first day of his tour to Italy Credit: PA

The battle was a crucial campaign that saw Allied forces launch four battles in 1944 to destroy Nazi forces holding a strategically important rocky outcrop, home to the 1,400 year-old Benedictine monastery of Monte Cassino

Prince Harry sits alongside Governor General of New Zealand Sir Jeremy Mateparae (left) Credit: PA

As he walked into an exhibition chronicling the destruction of the holy site he saw a huge black and white image of its ruins and said :"Unbelievable - they knocked the whole thing down."

Prince Harry meets Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk (left) Credit: PA