Former U.S. President Donald Trump has ignited fresh tensions with Prince Harry after making dismissive remarks about Lesotho, a country deeply connected to the Duke of Sussex through his charity work.
During his address to Congress, Trump listed programs he had cut from U.S. financial aid, including $8
R148.74 million allocated to LGBTQI+ initiatives in Lesotho. He remarked, “which nobody has ever heard of,” prompting laughter from some Republican lawmakers.
Prince Harry’s Connection to Lesotho
Prince Harry has long been involved with Lesotho, co-founding the Sentebale charity alongside Prince Seeiso Bereng Seeiso. The organization supports children affected by HIV/AIDS and extreme poverty in the Southern African nation.
Given his strong ties to the country, Trump’s comments could further strain relations between the two. In recent years, Trump has openly criticized Harry and his wife, Meghan Markle, even suggesting in 2024 that Harry should face consequences if he had misrepresented past drug use on his U.S. visa application. While he later retracted this, he recently took another jab at Meghan, calling her “terrible.”
Lesotho Government Responds
Lesotho’s Foreign Minister, Lejone Mpotjoane, condemned Trump’s remarks, stating:
“It is surprising and disappointing that he claimed no one knows Lesotho, especially given that the U.S. has an embassy here. One day America may need Lesotho’s support.”
The controversy comes as Trump prepares for a state visit to the UK, having received a rare second invitation from King Charles III. British Prime Minister Keir Starmer personally delivered the invitation to Trump in Washington.
Harry’s Subtle Swipe at Leadership
Prince Harry, while not directly responding to Trump, appeared to address issues of leadership and power dynamics at the Upfront Summit in Los Angeles. He criticized “a sickness in leadership” that prioritizes power and control over service and empathy, remarks some interpret as indirect criticism of Trump and Elon Musk.
With tensions escalating, it remains to be seen whether Trump’s remarks will provoke a direct response from Prince Harry—or if the Duke will continue to let his work in Lesotho speak for itself.
