Prince Harry is to make another trip overseas days after his next UK visit with no mention yet about whether Meghan Markle will join him.
The Duke of Sussex will visit Lesotho early next month in his first trip in more than six years to the African nation where he established his first major charity project.
Harry, 40, will join business leaders, philanthropists and locals to promote the work of his youth charity Sentebale.
Lesotho’s Prince Seeiso, who co-founded Sentebale with Harry nearly 20 years ago, said it would fill the community with “joy” to welcome back “Mohale” – Harry’s Sesotho royal name, which means “warrior”.
The idea for Sentebale came about in 2004 when Harry spent two months in the African kingdom of Lesotho during his gap year. The experience made a lasting impression on the young royal, who was then aged 19.
He came face-to-face with AIDS orphans, met other traumatised young people and visited herd boys who eke out a tough existence looking after cattle in remote mountain areas.
Harry was invited to the country, which is land-locked inside South Africa, by Seeiso, a friend of his mentor, ex-Army officer Mark Dyer.
Founded in 2006, Sentebale began working in Lesotho before expanding into Botswana. It aims to strengthen the well-being of those living with or affected by HIV; improve access to healthcare; boost youth advocacy and develop livelihoods.
The Duke regularly visited the mountainous nation to promote his organisation’s work but last travelled to the capital Maseru in 2018, the year he married Meghan.
Harry and Seeiso are expected to visit Lesotho to showcase Sentebale’s work to new supporters alongside existing donors through American Friends of Sentebale.
In Johannesburg, the group will take part in a reception with South Africa-based stakeholders and strategic partner Lebec, a women-led finance and philanthropy firm. There are also plans for a panel discussion about the difference philanthropists can make.
Prince Harry said in a statement: “As we head towards our 20th anniversary, our ambition has grown, giving us the confidence to bring our skills and experience in designing solutions with young people, and to leveraging our convening power to engage with leading regional players and global funders so we can add Sentebale’s voice to addressing the challenges faced by the next generation in southern Africa.”
Sentebale chairwoman Dr Sophie Chandauka said: “The Duke’s return to southern Africa… marks a milestone as we collaborate with world-class organisations 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.”
Harry is set to return to the UK to attend the WellChild annual awards on Monday (September 30).
