‘Mohale, the warrior’ Harry joins bonfire chat as he visit his ‘home’ Lesotho

The duke and ‘brother’ Prince Seeiso met to discuss the progress and inspirations for their Sentebale charity.

Harry during a visit to a herd boys’ school in Semonkong, Lesotho with Prince Seeiso in 2010 (Arthur Edwards/The Sun/PA) (PA Archive)

The Duke of Sussex has called for “people at the top” to start listening in order to make a difference as he joined a chat around a bonfire on a trip to Lesotho.

Harry reunited with his close friend and Sentebale charity co-founder Prince Seeiso, who described the duke as “my younger brother Mohale, the warrior”.

The King’s son made the solo journey to the tiny mountain kingdom in southern Africa after his brief visit to the UK for the WellChild awards on Monday.

Harry’s Sussex.com website recounted the trip under the headline “Lesotho Welcomes Harry Home” and said it “rekindled cherished connections from his childhood”.

Princess Senate Seeiso, the niece of Prince Seeiso, shared footage in her Instagram stories of Harry speaking passionately as he perched on a chair by a fire during the night-time gathering.

Harry, in a puffer jacket and dark trousers, described how “stigma is being broken down in this country and also in Botswana”.

He smiled as Seeiso called him Mohale – the Sesotho name meaning “warrior” by which he is affectionately known in Lesotho.

Harry, speaking by the campfire, said: “We’re hitting the targets, not just Sentebale but in general all of the departments are, and it’s making a massive difference, and it is this surge of energy and optimism and the voice of young people, ranging from six to 25.

“And the biggest difference, of which really needs more work, the biggest difference is when people from the top start listening.”

Addressing a group of young people and others connected to the charity, the duke said: “We are building a force of young advocates and when they are empowered to use their voices, the strength of their impact will be immense.

“You might not always realise how significant your influence is, but if it changes even one person’s life, it’s worth it.”

The duke’s Sussex.com site said: “Today marked a significant moment as Prince Harry, The Duke of Sussex – or Mohale, as he’s affectionately known by the Basotho people – commenced his trip to Lesotho, warmly welcomed by The King and Queen in a private meeting.

“This occasion not only rekindled cherished connections from his childhood but also celebrated a remarkable milestone: the 200th anniversary of the nation.

“The Duke holds a special place in his heart for this nation.”

Harry also held a meeting with Lesotho’s prime minister Sam Matekane on Wednesday.

Harry spent two months in the kingdom of Lesotho during his gap year when he was 19 in 2004, which inspired him to establish the Sentebale charity two years later, which now also works in Botswana.

He came face-to-face with Aids orphans, met other traumatised young people and visited herd boys living a harsh existence looking after cattle in remote mountain areas.

It is his first visit to the country for six years, with his last taking place in 2018, the year he married the Duchess of Sussex.

Harry is also due to travel to Johannesburg in South Africa, and take part in a reception with South Africa-based stakeholders and strategic partner Lebec, a women-led finance and philanthropy firm.