Gila Bend restaurant owner recalls visit from Prince Harry

GILA BEND, Ariz. (KSAZ) - Gila Bend may be far away from London and removed from the royal wedding of Prince Harry and Meghan Markle, but a restaurant owner there is celebrating the nuptials, because Prince Harry dined at his pizza joint when he trained nearby.

Nino Buccillato still remembers the exact moment Prince Harry walked through the doors of Little Italy Pizza.

"November 4, 2011 at 7:41 p.m.," said Buccillato. "They called in a little bit before they came. They reserved a table."

Buccallito didn't exchange conversation with the British prince, who sat in a corner booth with his buddies. The booth is now clearly marked for all patrons to see.

Server Stacey Willcett, however, did exchange conversation with the prince.

"I was just teasing him, like, I do all the military right, Harry!" said Wilcett.

At the time, Harry was training at the Gila Bend Air Force Auxiliary Field. Willcett says he and his crew ordered a lot of take out, but that was the first time they dined in.

"He ordered pizza, a large meat lovers," said Willcett. "He ate the whole thing. He said it was the best pizza he ever had."

"I was very impressed," said former Gila Bend mayor Ron Henry. "it was very kind of him to take the time to do that."

Henry received a letter from the prince, which is now displayed at the Little Italy Pizza Restaurant. Everyone His Highness encountered described him as very polite, and they're wishing him and his bride the best.

Meanwhile, Buccillato says he plans to offer a special on Saturday, in honor of his one-time guest.