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Prince Harry gives an interview to mark the launch of Sentebale - Part 2

28th April 2006

Interview by Laura Elston for the Press Association

There was one little boy in particular that Prince Harry was looking for when he returned to the Mants'ase Children's Home in Lesotho.

The third in line to the throne became firm friends with four-year-old Mutsu two years ago during his first visit to the orphanage.

“Where is he?” the Prince asked as soon as he arrived after travelling back to Lesotho to launch charity for Aids orphans, Sentebale.

As they were reunited, Harry knelt down and gave bashful Mutsu a huge hug, holding his hand gently, before scooping him up in his arms and lifting him in the air.

"How are you? Do you remember me?" Harry whispered. "He's got new shoes. Where are your wellies?" he asked referring to the blue pair the Prince gave him as a present before.

Harry affectionately cuddled the youngster, stroking his head and holding his hand, as he was shown the changes made at the orphanage since he last visited a year ago, just after he started in the Army at Sandhurst.

It was all a little overwhelming for Mutsu. Harry remarked, looking concerned: "I've never seen him so quiet."

Anne Bothma, who helps at the home, told the Prince: "He's been waiting for you."

Throughout the day, the Prince set about trying to make Mutsu, who was dressed in a red hooded top and khaki trousers, smile.

He tickled him, lifted him off the ground by his outstretched arms, tipped him upside down, swung him over his shoulders playfully, blew raspberries and gnashed his teeth at him.

They poked out their tongues at each other as Mutsu happily sat on Harry's lap.

The Prince said: "You never really know whether they actually remember you or whether they actually care. I do care.

"To see him again is really nice. Sometimes he smiles - if you hang him upside down."

"I think he remembers me. His English is still as good or as bad as it used to be."

Looking at Mutsu, who has started primary school, he added: "He's said 'I'm fine', that's about it. You don't really talk much, do you?"

Most of the children at the orphanage joined Harry for a photo in front of a newly-painted brightly-coloured mural on the side of the main building. Mutsu had pride of place on Harry's lap.

The pair pulled faces at each other, while Harry cuddled a little girl called Lintle, who grabbed the Prince's mouth with her fingers.

Harry talked about how things had changed at the home. “It’s different. It’s really encouraging to see how things have improved.

“There’s obviously still masses of problems and things we need to sort out. Food is still the main issue.”

Harry’s new charity will support projects like the orphanage, which cares for youngsters who have lost their parents to Aids.

Money raised following his first visit to Lesotho, which was distributed by the Red Cross Lesotho Fund, was used to help build and furnish a new dormitory.

Harry was told how electricity had now been installed and was shown the metal-framed bunk beds, which mean that the children now have their own beds for the first time.

The Prince saw the traditional warm and colourful Basotho blankets, an important status symbol in local culture, given to each child as a present to use on their beds.

Resting his elbow on one of the much-needed new bunks, a serious Harry listened intently to the update while still clutching Mutsu’s hand.

“I remember when we came last time, they said what can you give us?” the Prince recalled.

He asked Mutsu to show him his toys and coaxed him into pointing out his bed. “This one?”

Harry said to which Mutsu gave a small nod.

Shown a toddlers’ room with cots and smaller beds, Harry remarked: “This is perfect. You can put babies in here if you need to. There’s masses of room.”

He asked about new orphans being brought in, expressing concern that the number at the home had risen from 25 to 45.

The Prince, dressed in a dark top and faded blue jeans, described the impact the orphanage and coming to Lesotho had on him.

“Here especially, it really hits you hard and makes you wake up and think, Jesus, I'm really very, very lucky.”

“It sort of changes your temper with other people who don’t appreciate it,” Harry said, admitting to being “slightly grumpy” with friends who failed to be thankful for what they have.

The Prince, who handed out tennis balls and sweets to the children, added that if there was one time to use his name to help, it was there in Lesotho.

As Harry arrived in a truck with Prince Seeiso, the brother of King Letsie III, all the children ran up the dirt track to greet him before being called back by their house mothers.

The Prince and Mutsu returned to the flower bed where they planted a peach sapling together in 2004 to see how the shrub had grown.

“Smile,” Harry said, prompting Mutsu to give a big grin.

Harry later brought Mutsu up close to the television camera filming them, encouraging the compliant youngster to blow a raspberry.

The Prince added: “Say ‘Bye Bye’,” as Mutsu, his head on Harry's shoulder, smiled and waved farewell.