Prince Harry Touches Down in Africa After Brief Stop in U.K. for Charity Event

Mar. 15, 2025

Princess Senate of Lesotho and Prince Harry in Lesotho on Oct. 1, 2024.Photo:Princess Senate Seeiso/Instagram

Princess Senate Seeiso/Instagram

Prince Harryhas landed in Lesotho, a country he first fell in love with 20 years ago.

On Oct. 1, Princess Senate Seeiso of Lesothoposted a photo of herself and Harryon her Instagram Story, writing that she “Had the pleasure of hosting the Duke of Sussex today for lunch.”

Princess Senate of Lesotho and Prince Harry in Lesotho on Oct. 1, 2024.Princess Senate Seeiso/Instagram

Harry, 40, was just in the U.K. the day before on Sept. 30,attending the WellChild Awardsin London — one of the few patronages he kept since stepping back from royal duty alongside his wife,Meghan Markle.While in the U.K., he did not see his father,King Charles, or his brother,Prince William.

His brief visit to the U.K. followeda whirlwind trip to New York Citylast week, where he supported many causes close to his heart, including a visit to the United Nations on behalf of Lesotho, a country he’s had close ties to for two decades.

Prince Harry, Duke of Sussex smiles as he attends the WellChild Awards 2024 at the Royal Lancaster Hotel on Sept. 30, 2024 in London, England.Chris Jackson/Getty

Chris Jackson/Getty

Prince Harry is in the African country alongside longtime friend and Sentebale co-founder Prince Seeiso, where a release stated that they’ll meet with local Sentebale leaders to showcase programs to philanthropists and corporate foundations.

Meghan Markle and Prince Harry in Johannesurg, South Africa on Oct. 2, 2019 at a reception at the British High Commissioner’s residence.Samir Hussein/WireImage

“Over 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, alongside our new American friends, marks a milestone as we collaborate with world-class organizations and local leadership to engage this critical youth cohort. Together, we aim to accelerate digital and economic inclusion, addressing the low levels of access and literacy, which are crucial for young people’s participation in the global economy and for achieving Sentebale’s goals in health, wealth creation and climate resilience.”

In Johannesburg, Harry will sit on a panel called “Potential is Waiting: The Johannesburg Edition,” followingthe Miami version of the same gatheringthis past April.

Alix Lebec, Founder and CEO of Lebec, Prince Harry, Duke of Sussex, Co-Founding Patron of Sentebale and Dr. Sophie Chandauka MBE, Chair of Sentebale, Founder and Chair of Nandi Life Sciences speak during the Sentebale “Potential is Waiting” panel discussion at the Ritz Carlton Hotel on April 11, 2024 in Miami Beach, Florida.Jason Koerner/Getty

Jason Koerner/Getty

Prince Harry dances with children at the opening of Sentebale’s Mamohato Children’s Centre during an official visit to Africa on Nov. 26, 2015 in Maseru, Lesotho.Samir Hussein/WireImage

Samir Hussein/WireImage

The Duke of Sussex joined Queen Masenate Mohato Seeiso of Lesotho at the United Nations in New York City on Sept. 24, where he spoke about the work he’s done in the country and his deep appreciation for it. Queen Masenate Mohato Seeiso is the sister-in-law of Prince Seeiso.

“The beautiful mountain kingdom feels like a home away from home,” Prince Harry said of Lesotho while at the UN.

Prince Harry, Duke of Sussex plays with children holding balloons during the official opening of The Dining Hall at Phelisanong Children’s Home on June 23, 2018 in Leribe, Lesotho.Chris Jackson/Getty

Sentebale translates to “forget-me-not” in Lesotho’s national language, which has a sentimental tie to Harry’s motherPrincess Diana— forget-me-nots were her favorite flower.

Continuing his wide-ranging remarks, which touched on HIV awareness and gender-based violence, Prince Harry said, “Good mental health, mental fitness, is not a luxury. It is a necessity. For every single one of us.”

“A safer world is possible, and together we can and will make it happen,” his remarks concluded.

While at the “Potential is Waiting” discussion at the South Beach restaurant Zaytinya in the Ritz Carlton Hotel, Harry also shared that both Prince Seeiso’s mother, Mamohato, and his mother Diana had a strong focus on both HIV/AIDS and improving life for young people.

“It’s really focused on ensuring that the younger generation are quite literally not forgotten,” Harry said of Sentebale.

“At the heart of Sentebale, what we’ve always believed is that every single young person should have a chance at a better future,” the Duke of Sussex said.

Prince Harry, Duke of Sussex, Co-Founding Patron of Sentebale and Nacho Figueras, Sentebale Ambassador play polo during the Sentebale ISPS Handa Polo Cup on Aug. 12, 2023 in Singapore.Matt Jelonek/Getty

Matt Jelonek/Getty

Annually, Harry hosts the Sentebale Polo Cup to raise money for the organization, in which he usually participates — tying his charity work to his love of the sport. Harry’s friend and fellow polo player Nacho Figueras previously told PEOPLE thatHarry’s passion for the work of Sentebalehas made an impression on him since the two met in 2007.

“From day one, I saw how committed he was to his charity,” Figueras said at the Sentebale Polo Cup in Aspen, Colorado in August 2022. “Fast forward 15 years — I’ve been to Lesotho with him a few times, and I’ve seen what great work the charity does and how important it is for a lot of kids, how committed he is, how much he really cares about it.”

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Since turning the milestone age of 40 on Sept. 15, Harry has been at work on three continents — and, as he returns to Africa, he is returning to a place he has referred to ashis “second home.”At the April panel discussion in Miami, he said, “Africa’s in my heart, andAfrica’s in my soul. I first went there when I was 12, 13 years old, and after so many years, I wanted to give back to it because it had given me so much. The vast open space, the cultures, the community, the people, the wildlife, just the freedom was a huge piece of why I loved Africa so much.”

source: people.com