Prince Harry has landed in Lesotho, the country he first fell in love with 20 years ago.
On October 1, Princess Seiso of Lesotho’s Senate posted a photo of herself and Prince Harry on her Instagram Story, writing, “It was an honor to invite the Duke of Sussex to lunch today.”
October 1, 2024, Princess of Lesotho Senate and Prince Harry of Lesotho.
Princess Seeso Senate/Instagram
Prince Harry, 40, had just traveled to the UK the previous day on September 30th to attend the WellChild Awards in London. She is one of Prince Harry’s few remaining patrons since he and his wife, Meghan Markle, retired from royal duties. During his stay in England, he did not meet his father, King Charles, or his brother, Prince William.
His brief UK visit follows a whirlwind trip to New York City last week, where he supported a number of causes close to his heart, including a visit to the United Nations on behalf of Lesotho, with which he has had close ties for 20 years. did.
Prince Harry, Duke of Sussex smiles as he attends the WellChild Awards 2024 held at the Royal Lancaster Hotel in London, England on September 30, 2024.
Chris Jackson/Getty
Prince Harry is in the African country with his long-time friend and Sentebale co-founder Prince Seeso, and the release includes plans to meet local Sentebale leaders and introduce the program to philanthropists and corporate foundations. It is stated that.
Prince Harry, who first visited Lesotho in 2004 during his gap year, formed a charity with Prince Seeso in 2006 to support children and young people affected by poverty, inequality and HIV/Aids in both Lesotho and Botswana. Co-founded Sentebale. Prince Harry’s visit on October 1 is the first since Prince Harry and Meghan, 43, and their son Prince Archie, now 5, visited in 2019, when Harry and Meghan were still working members of the royal family. This will be my first visit to Southern Africa. (Prince Harry and Duchess Meghan are also the parents of Princess Lilibet, 3.)
According to the release, during this visit Prince Harry witnessed Sentebare’s program in action in Lesotho, and then in Johannesburg, South Africa, where he met with a leading Southern Africa-based business leader and foundation working in the youth sector. It is said that there are plans to hold working sessions with other organizations.
Duchess Meghan and Prince Harry attend a reception at the British High Commissioner’s Residence in Johannesurg, South Africa, on October 2, 2019. Samir Hussain/WireImage
“Through our work in Lesotho and Botswana, Sentebale has developed a deep understanding of local young people – their passions, interests and extraordinary creativity,” Prince Harry said in a statement. “These young people are passionate and capable of driving meaningful change, but significant barriers still stand in their way.As we approach our 20th anniversary, our ambitions are even greater and we are committed to He brings us the skills and experience to design solutions with other companies, and gives us the confidence to leverage our convening power to partner with leading regional companies and global funders to enable us to add Sentebale businesses. We are raising our voices to address the challenges facing Southern Africa’s next generation.”
According to Dr Sophie Chandauka (MBE), Chair of Sentebarre, Africa has the largest and fastest growing youth population, with nearly 40% of the world’s youth living on the continent by 2050, with the majority of It is said to be concentrated in southern Africa.
“More than 50% of these young people are at risk of remaining economically vulnerable without urgent investment in digital skills, education and job creation,” she said in a statement. “The Duke’s return to southern Africa with his new American friends marks a milestone as we work with world-class organizations and local leaders to work with this important group of young people. Together, we aim to accelerate digital and economic inclusion and address low levels of access and literacy, which are linked to young people’s participation in the global economy, health and wealth. Creation is critical to achieving Sentebale’s goal of climate resilience.”
In Johannesburg, Prince Harry will attend a panel discussion called “Possibilities Awaits: Johannesburg Edition”, following the Miami edition of the same gathering in April this year.
Alix Rebeck, Founder and CEO of Rebeck, Prince Harry, Duke of Sussex, Co-Founder Patron of Sentebale, Dr. Sophie Chandauka MBE, Chairman of Sentebale, Founder of Nadi Life Sciences Chairman and CEO speaks at Sentebale’s “Possibilities Awaits” panel Discussion at the Ritz-Carlton Hotel, Miami Beach, Florida, April 11, 2024.
Jason Corner/Getty
Prince Seeso said in a statement: “Prince Harry, or Prince Mohale, as we affectionately call him by his Sesotho royal name, which means ‘warrior’, is deeply honored by me, my team and our wider community. I am delighted to be able to welcome them.” “Now, more than ever, as we look to the challenges of our young generation here in Lesotho, we are embracing the collective energy of local and international individuals and organizations who see the potential in these young people. We recognize that a bright future is at stake, and ultimately all children are empowered through sustainable solutions that can be driven locally. I continue to work with the vision that it is possible to be healthy and resilient.”
Prince Harry dances with children at the opening of Mamohato Children’s Center in Sentebale during his official visit to Africa in Maseru, Lesotho on November 26, 2015.
Samir Hussain/WireImage
On September 24, the Duke of Sussex met with Queen Masenate Mohat Seeiso of Lesotho at the United Nations in New York City, where she spoke about her work in Lesotho and her deep gratitude for it. Queen Masenate Mohat Seeso is Prince Seeso’s sister-in-law.
During his visit to the United Nations, Prince Harry said of Lesotho: “This beautiful mountain kingdom feels like a second home.”
“I have been struck by the strength and courage of your people, especially your children, amidst the immense challenges they face,” he continued. “Because of that experience, the people I met and what I went through, two years later we founded Sentebale.”
Prince Harry, Duke of Sussex plays with children holding balloons during the official opening of the dining hall at Perisanon Children’s Home in Lelibe, Lesotho on June 23, 2018. Chris Jackson/Getty
Sentebale means “forget-me-not” in Lesotho’s national language and has a sentimental connection to Prince Harry’s mother, Princess Diana, for whom forget-me-not was her favorite flower.
Continuing his wide-ranging remarks touching on HIV awareness and gender-based violence, Prince Harry said: “Good mental health, good mental health is not a luxury. It’s a necessity. For each of us.”
“A safer world is possible, and together we can and will make it happen,” he concluded.
During the “Possibilities Awaits” discussion at the Ritz-Carlton South Beach restaurant, Zaytinya, Prince Harry also spoke about how Prince Seeso’s mother, Mamohato, and his mother, Princess Diana, are working on HIV/Aids and improving the lives of young people. They shared that they had a strong interest in both. people.
“The focus is on making sure that the younger generation will literally never forget,” Harry said of Sentebale.
“At the heart of Sentebale, we have always believed that all young people should have the chance for a better future,” said the Duke of Sussex.
Sentebale co-founding patron Prince Harry of Sussex and Sentebale Ambassador Nacho Figueras play polo at the Sentebale ISPS Handa Polo Cup in Singapore on August 12, 2023.
Matt Jelonek/Getty
Harry hosts the Sentebale Polo Cup every year to raise money for the organization and usually takes part, combining his love of charity with the sport. Harry’s friend and fellow polo player Nacho Figueras previously told PEOPLE that Harry’s passion for Sentebale’s work has impressed him since the two met in 2007.
“From day one you could see how dedicated he is to philanthropy,” Figueras said at the Sentebale Polo Cup in Aspen, Colorado in August 2022. I’ve seen what great work this charity does and how important it is to so many children, how dedicated he is and how much he values it. ”
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Since turning 40 on September 15, Prince Harry has worked on three continents, and when he returns to Africa, he plans to return to the place he called his ‘second home’. Become. He said this during a panel discussion in Miami in April. “Africa is in my heart, Africa is in my soul.The first time I went there I was 12 or 13 years old. The vast open spaces, the culture, the communities, the people, the wildlife, and just the freedom were a big part of why I loved Africa so much.”
