London: Prince Harry has been tested for HIV - in a bid to encourage more members of the public to come forward and discover if they have the virus.

Harry, who has recently made highlighting the issue of HIV/Aids a major element of his public work, visited a sexual health clinic for the simple finger-prick procedure.

Prince Harry hugs a young boy at a centre for HIV-positive children in Maseru, Lesotho, last year. Credit:Getty Images

The prince tested negative after he gave a small sample of blood at the Burrell Street centre in central London.

Harry had to wait a few moments while the sample was mixed with chemicals and poured into a test tray where a developing solution was added.