Harry hails ‘milestone’ opening of Mamohato Children’s Centre in Lesotho

She was 52 at the time, in contrast to Harry’s mother Diana who was just 21, and even after her retirement was invited to key milestones such as William’s 21st celebrations at Windsor Castle, his passing out at Sandhurst and his wedding.

Harry first visited the region ten years ago when he visited the Mants’ase Children’s Home for orphans near Mohale’s Hoek, outside of Maseru.

The new facility will help Sentebale – the charity founded by the two princes – provide the “best care and support available”.

Unlike most the children who shyly watched the prince from the shadows, Mutsu, then aged four, grabbed his hand and stayed by his side for hours.

“They were far younger than me, and of course, their situation was a great deal more challenging than my own”, Harry said, as he spoke about the orphans to guests gathered at the centre’s opening ceremony on Thursday.

So sweet! Prince Harry has landed in South Africa to begin his week-long tour of the Lesotho and South Africa, and has reunited with an old friend.

In the letter Mutsu writes that he has been doing well since the last time they met and he recalls fondly the first time he met the Prince. The pic (above) shows them planting a peach tree together.

“I feel very happily when I dream I remember about you because you have being with me from my childhood and you have bought me the blue gumboots”, it says.

The 15-year-old African schoolboy said about meeting the prince “I felt very happy, very excited”. Discussing the matter with the British High Commissioner to Lesotho, Judith Macgregor, Harry asked: “I was thinking what kind of hat one could get away with”.

Harry then went on to the Mamohato Children’s Centre, where he was tasked with officially opening the ground-breaking new center for children with HIV and AIDS, parts of which are named after his mother, Princess Diana, and his favorite nanny, Olga Powell. Commenting on the connection he forged with the children he said: “Although our experiences were very different we shared an overwhelming sense of loss”.

Seeiso’s wife Princess Mabereng-Seeiso, said her husband genuinely valued Harry’s friendship.

She said: “They were taking pictures with the kids, they really enjoyed the session and had fun with us”.

Yesterday, 10 years later, they opened a pounds 2?million centre catering for disabled and disadvantaged children, principally those living with HIV.

Sentebale means “forget me not” in the local dialect and was chosen in memory of Harry and Seeiso’s mothers.

Prince Harry will be in Lesotho today to officially open the centre with his charity, Sentebale (‘Forget Me Not’), which he created with fellow Prince, Prince Seeiso, in memory of their late mothers.

The tour will focus on themes including understanding South Africa’s recent history, the issues and opportunities for young people, and the importance of wildlife conservation.