Prince Harry Plays Polo For the Charity He Founded in Memory of Princess Diana
When Prince Harry walked away from royal life, one of the organizations he took with him was Sentebale, a charity he set up in 2006 to help young people in African country Lesotho in memory of Princess Diana. And today, the Prince was out on the polo field raising money for the organization in the Sentebale ISPS Handa Polo Club.
The Prince played on the Sentebale team, alongside his longtime friend professional polo player Nacho Figueras (pictured with Harry above), against two other teams in a tournament at Aspen Valley Polo Club in Colorado. During last year’s annual event, Prince Harry announced that he was making a personal $1.5 million donation to the charity to support its crucial work. This year, the Prince described in a statement how it was a “critical time” for the organization “as inequalities have been exacerbated by the pandemic.”
“Sixteen years ago, Prince Seeiso and I founded Sentebale in honour of our mothers’ work in HIV, and named after my mum’s favorite flower, the 'forget-me-not' in Sesotho, representing our commitment to always remembering and advocating for those in need,” the Prince said. “We are all proud of the support we are able to give the young people of Lesotho and Botswana to feel empowered, healthy, resilient, and able to thrive. The funds raised this year will be invested in these communities at a critical time, as inequalities have been exacerbated by the pandemic.” This year’s fundraising event also takes place just days before the 25th anniversary of Princess Diana’s tragic death on August 31 1997.
Sentebale has expanded since its conception and now also works in Botswana. “We started by helping meet the basic needs of children and young people but, over time, began to address the root causes of poverty and inequality,” the organization says online about its work. “Sentebale continues to reach children and young people in Lesotho and Botswana living with or affected by HIV, especially the most vulnerable who are often challenged by issues of deprivation, exploitation, abuse or neglect. They may also be disadvantaged or marginalized due to mental health issues, sexual and gender-based violence, alcohol or substance abuse, sexual orientation, stigma or other challenges that affect their health and wellbeing.”
Prince Harry’s appearance comes just days after Meghan’s new Spotify podcast series debuted, as the couple continue to forge their financially independent lives based in California. They have also announced a tour to the U.K and Germany in September where they will be making appearances for One Young World in Manchester, the Invictus Games in Dusseldorf and WellChild in London.
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