Prince Harry was in high spirits as he started his royal tour in Lesotho on Thursday. The 31-year-old joked about how to cope with the intense 32⁰C heat while paying a visit to the offices of Dr Pakalitha Bethuel Mosisillil, the Prime Minister of Lesotho, on Thursday morning.
Addressing members of the media who have joined him on the tour, Harry asked if any of them had got sunburnt yet. When it was pointed out that several fair-headed members of his own staff had, Harry quipped: "That's gingers for you!"
© Photo: Getty ImagesPrince Harry joked about the heat in Africa
The red-head also pondered over what kind of hat he could pull off without looking too silly. 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. Possibly a fedora?"
However the Prince opted to brave the heat without a hat as he stepped out for the opening of Sentebale's Mamohato Children's Centre on Thursday afternoon. The 96-bed centre will host camps for children struggling to overcome their HIV/ Aids diagnosis, and holds a special meaning for Harry, who has named rooms after two of the most important women in his life.
The royal has honoured his late mother Diana, Princess of Wales and Olga Powell, the beloved nanny who cared for him and Prince William for 15 years. A striking dining hall with sweeping views over the imposing Thaba Bosiu plateau – sacred as the birthplace of Lesotho as a nation – is named the Diana, Princess of Wales Hall.
© Photo: Getty ImagesPrince Harry met with the British High Commissioner to Lesotho, Judith Macgregor
Meanwhile Olga, who remained close to Princes William and Harry until her death aged 82, in September 2012, is remembered in a touching plaque outside a room at the new Mamohato Children's Centre in Lesotho. It reads: "The Welcome Centre: In loving memory of Olga Powell."
During Thursday afternoon's engagement, Harry will also be reunited with long-time friend Mutsu Potsane – whom he initially met during his first trip to Lesotho in 2004.
Mutsu was just four years old when he first met the Prince at the Mants'ase Children's Home for orphans near Mohale's Hoek, outside of Maseru in Lesotho. They immediately developed a close bond and have remained in touch ever since, sharing letters and meeting up during the majority of Harry's visits to Lesotho over the last decade.
Harry is on a week-long tour of Lesotho and South Africa, during which he will also play in the Sentebale Royal Salute Polo Cup on Saturday. HELLO!'s royal correspondent Emily Nash will be joining the Prince every step of the way, and will share all of the details and regular updates in a travel diary on HELLO! Online.
