Prince Harry Reveals a Personal Secret in World AIDS Day Video

— -- Britain's Prince Harry revealed a secret today and it might not be what you expected.

Harry's charity, Sentebale, released a video clip in which Prince Harry tells the world, "On today, World AIDS Day, my secret is, believe it or not, I get incredibly nervous before public speaking, no matter how big the crowd or the audience."

The "Feel No Shame" campaign was initiated by his charity to coincide with World AIDS Day.

Prince Harry encouraged celebrities and those who are suffering from AIDS to share a secret to help those who feel stigmatized with the disease. The campaign is trying to highlight how many AIDS victims fail to seek help due to the shame associated with their condition.

Prince Harry's revelation may be a surprising one, coming as it does from the fourth in line to the British throne. The prince's public persona is one of someone who is self-assured, charming and known for his easy sense of humor, putting adults and children at ease.

He has been often compared to his mother, the late Princess Diana, for his sensitivity and ability to respond to people from all walks of life. In fact, Prince Harry has taken an increasingly public role on behalf of Queen Elizabeth II, solidifying his role as a prominent member of the royal family.

"Despite the fact that I laugh and joke all the time, I get incredibly nervous, if not anxious, actually, before going into rooms full of people when I am wearing a suit," Prince Harry continued.

Just this fall, Harry impressed palace courtiers and critics with the success of his brainchild, the Invictus Games. The former Apache helicopter pilot brought together wounded soldiers for a Paralympic-style competition to underscore the challenges that war veterans must overcome.

Harry said he made the admission knowing that doing so might make him even more nervous in the future.

"And now I have confessed that I'll probably be even more worried that people are looking at me," he said.

Prince Harry founded Sentebale with Prince Seeiso of Lesotho 10 years ago. The charity, which means "forget me not," was a tribute to their mothers. Sentebale aims to help the vulnerable children of Lesotho, many of whom are afflicted with HIV or orphaned from parents who came down with the disease. Lesotho has the third-largest HIV/AIDS incidence in the world.

In a video released to mark the start of the initiative, Prince Harry said, "Globally, HIV is the second-highest cause of death amongst those aged between 10 and 19 years old, and it is the number one cause of death across Africa."

Harry has traveled to Lesotho numerous times in an effort to raise the profile of his charity and the children who are in need of help.

"One tragic issue in particular is the shame and stigma linked to HIV," he said. "This causes thousands of children to needlessly die each year because they’re keeping their illness a secret and not getting the medical attention they need."

British celebrities including Joss Stone, Gemma Arterton, Nicole Scerzinger and numerous others all took to the Web to reveal their own secrets.

Prince Harry's video message encouraged people worldwide to, "Show our support for the children of Lesotho, and help reduce the stigma for all those affected by HIV."

"We are turning this World AIDS Day into a day in which no one should feel any shame about their secrets," Harry said. "Together, we can tackle the stigma surrounding HIV and give the young people carrying it the childhood they deserve. The childhood so many of us take for granted."