I am not walking away from my Lesotho commitment, says Harry
THE Duke of Sussex last night reaffirmed his commitment to his charity work as he spoke at a private dinner for supporters of one of his most cherished causes.
He told supporters of Sentebale, the Lesotho charity that supports young people with HIV, which he co-founded in 2006, that he was not “walking away” and that his decision to step away from royal duties did not alter his commitment to the cause.
Separately, it emerged Buckingham Palace contacted the Duke of Sussex’s charities and organisations to allay fears that he would abandon them.
The Duke is patron of 16 organisations, including the Rugby Football Union (RFU), Rhino Conservation Botswana and the Invictus Games Foundation, but questions have been raised as to how he can support them if he is no longer a working member of the Royal family, or even in the country. Yesterday,
the RFU confirmed to The Daily Telegraph that the Duke would continue to be their patron, as well as patron of their Injured Players Foundation and All Schools Programme.
They could not confirm whether he would be in attendance at any of England’s Six Nations games next month.
There is particular interest regarding the clash against Wales on March 7 because Harry’s brother, the Duke of Cambridge, is patron of the Welsh Rugby
Union. In previous years the pair have sat next to each other, often in opposing team colours, but with relations strained, it is unlikely they will both be at Twickenham, according to a source close to the Welsh Rugby Union.
Ralph Rimmer, the chief executive of the Rugby Football League, said: “We received a message from the Palace explaining that the Duke will continue to work with his patronages.”
Wellchild, a UK children’s charity helping to get seriously ill children and young people, were also pleased to keep their patron.
“We are privileged to have the Duke of Sussex as Wellchild patron, helping us to raise awareness of the needs of children and young people living with serious health needs across the UK.”
The Duchess is patron of the Royal National Theatre, and visited its Dorfman theatre site the day before the announcement, causing discontent among some of its members. One said: “She has clearly decided that she doesn’t want to be here. She has found the last couple of years difficult.”