HIS Royal Highness the Earl of Wessex has spent the morning talking to athletes taking part in the 2011 Commonwealth Youth Games. 

Prince Edward - the vice patron of the Commonwealth Games Federation - spent time at the NSC mingling with athletes from the 63 nations taking part.

He moved freely among the stands, accompanied by the Island's Lieutenant Governor Adam Wood, talking to competitors and also stopping to chat to spectators. 

School children from Ballacottier Primary School even managed to get a meeting with the Prince as they gathered outside the venue for a brief meet and greet. 

Other local schoolchildren took the opportunity to get their lanyards and even, in some cases, their faces signed by some of the athletes they had spent time watching during the athletics heats. 

So far this morning the 100m heats in the athletics competition for both men and women have taken place with some impressive times being recorded. Later this afternoon the 400m heats will take place also at the NSC. 

For a full list of results from all sports visit www.cyg2011results.com.  

Pictures by John Gregory for isleofman.com.