You may know of Harry’s military service in Afghanistan, or that he rides well (his team won) – but did you know he co-founded a charity for children including AIDS orphans in Lesotho, Africa? His polo event tours the world raising funds and awareness for the orphanage – Sentebale – combining the Prince’s love for children and polo.
Greenwich, CT –– Not often do I have the chance to meet with royals who care deeply about orphans. Unable to get out of meetings in Manhattan, I did the next best thing: I requested one of the Global Advisers and patrons of the J. Luce Foundation, Sara Herbert-Galloway, to represent us. Sara lives in Greenwich, is also a supporter of our sister charity, Orphans International Worldwide, and had met him on a previous trip. She was delighted to again meet the man who walks in the shadow of Princess Diana, HRH Prince Harry of Wales.
The Prince has been working his way up the East Coast, from meeting Michelle Obama in the White House, Chris Christie in New Jersey, promoting British trade on a double-decker bus with British Prime Minister David Cameron in Manhattan – and wrapped up his tour of the U.S. with The Sentebale Royal Salute Polo Cup at the pristine Greenwich Polo Club on May 15th, 2013.
The ultra-exclusive luncheon, hosted by billionaire industrialist and avid horseman Peter Brandt and his wife Stephanie Seymour, was attended by 400 VIP guests and press.
Guests were pre-screened a month in advance for security clearance prior to being put on the “list.”
Sara was especially honored to be among the invited guests as she is particularly proud of her ‘Herbert’ family’s Welsh ancestry that traces back to the 1400’s.
The festivities surrounding the young Royal’s visit were welcomed by the people of Greenwich, an enclave thirty miles north of New York City.
Despite the formidable wealth of the area, its residents have suffered their share of loss during the past few months.
The tragic shootings at Sandy Hook Elementary School in nearby Newtown as well as the devastation of Hurricane Sandy were almost too much for any community to bear. The Prince’s visit brought excitement and hope.
Sentebale, meaning “forget-me-not,” was founded in Lesotho in 2006 by both Prince Harry in memory of his mother Princess Diana, and by Prince Seeiso of Lesotho in memory of his mother, Queen Mamohato.
Their common efforts aim to raise awareness of the plight of this small country in mountainous South Africa with a population of almost two million, of which 500,000 are children who have been left vulnerable, including many living with and/or orphaned by HIV/AIDS.
To raise funds for these children, an annual polo event was established named “The Sentebale Royal Salute Polo Cup.” Simultaneous with the Greenwich event and Prince Harry’s visit, the local Patriot National Bank launched its own fundraising initiative to raise funds for Sentebale “across the world” and for the Mid-Fairfield Child Guidance Center – “around the corner.” How wonderful that HRH’s visit resulted in helping children both near and far.
St. Regis Team: Dawn Jones, Steve Lefkowitz, Peter Orthwein, Nacho Figueras. Photo credit: Herbert Collection.
My friend Frank Recchia of Connecticut’s News 12 told me, “Our news director Tom Appleby reminded the entire reporting staff that Prince Harry’s visit was one of the hottest stories ever to hit our viewing area.
Tom told us people were going gaga over this brush with royalty, and we needed to focus more so than ever on the human reaction to this important news event. It was an extremely exciting story to cover.”
Michael Carrazza, Patriot‘s Chairman and CEO of Solaia Capital, was invited to play on Prince Harry’s team in the polo match. He told me, “It was an honor to play alongside the Prince and compete for the Sentebale Royal Salute Polo Cup particularly knowing the thrust of the event was aimed at helping children in dire need – both far and near.
Patriot’s ‘Lend a Hand’ fund raising efforts are helping children in Lesotho through Sentebale and locally here in Connecticut through the Mid-Fairfield Child Guidance Center.”
Michael is no stranger to taking on challenges that benefit the community. In 2010, Michael led the turnaround recapitalization of Patriot National Bank and rescued the failing bank.
All told, Michael’s plan saved over 130 jobs in the community and taxpayers an estimated $185 million. “Patriot is now in a position to give back to the community and help children around the world, it is our corporate and individual responsibility,” he added.
Sara reports that Prince Harry exudes the same compassion and empathy to help those in need that was the driving force in his beautiful mother. She tells me his warm, friendly, charismatic demeanor was contagious.
He openly shared his love for children. His royal highness is following in Diana’s footsteps as a humanitarian. The beloved Princess had an intense interest in helping people inflicted with serious illnesses and health-related matters including AIDS.
Sara believes that Princess Diana and Mother Teresa were the greatest humanitarian’s of our time.
“Unfortunately,” she tells me, “I will never meet either of them. Meeting Harry was the next best thing to meeting Princess Diana whose work will live on through him.”
Prince Harry addressed the guests at the polo match, stressing that the situation in Lesotho remains critical.
“The HIV pandemic continues to leave thousands of children without parents and family structures to guide them through life. Without this support, basic needs such as food, shelter and care remain unmet, leaving children vulnerable and often without very much hope in their lives.”
He invited people to visit Lesotho saying, “By giving today, you are directly influencing the next generation of kids in Lesotho that can easily change Lesotho forever.”
The eloquently spoken Prince humbly thanked everyone saying, “During the past week, I’ve witnessed the extraordinary generosity of the people of this great nation.”
Sara had met Prince Harry during his visit to the Greenwich Country Club in 2010. She learned about Sentebale and his remarkable work during that time. “It was enlightening to learn how much the charity has grown,” she told me.
Sara spoke at length with Cathy Ferrier, C.E.O. of Sentebale.
Cathy said, “The event in Greenwich was incredibly successful. We have so many people interested in supporting us. We are extremely grateful to Nacho and Harry for their support and all they have done. We are grateful to the people of Greenwich and the area who attended and worked to make this event a success.”
Our Global Adviser also spoke with a young lady at the event named Dominique Sinagra who stayed a year at the Orphanage Mants’ase Children’s Home in Lesotho that is partially supported by Sentebale.
Dominique said, “I believe the connection between Prince Harry and the children is very real and means a lot to both him and them.
When the children see a picture of the Prince they point to it and say ‘friend.'”
Among the guests seated for the tented luncheon were model Karolina Kurkova, Jessica Stam, Jason Wu, Olivia Palermo, Gayle King, Jay Fieldman, Valentino Garavani, Amanda Hearst, Bob Woodruff, Jeff Slonem, and Johan Lindeberg.
Peter Brandt welcomed everyone. Jokes were made that the English brought the British weather with them to pleasure the guests since it was raining.
Argentine polo player and Ralph Lauren model Nacho Figueras was introduced as the newly appointed Sentebale Ambassador as well as St. Regis Connoisseur.
As if someone turned on a switch, the sun came out and the rain stopped the minute the polo match began.
Prince Harry’s Sentebale team won 4 -3. Sponsors included St. Regis Hotels, Town & Country, Royal Salute Whiskey, Range Rover, Garrard, and The Greenwich Polo Club.
During HRH Prince Harry’s visit to the U.S., he visited Seaside Heights, a hurricane ravaged Jersey Shore community.
While Prince Harry was serving in Afghanistan, he met someone who’s home was destroyed by the hurricane. The Prince wanted to see the devastation and show his support to his friend.
Prince Harry also showed support to wounded troops. He opened the Warrior Games for wounded service members at the U.S. Olympic Training Center in Colorado Springs.
Britain sent a team of 35 wounded soldiers to take part in the games.
There are more orphaned children in the world than any one human can deal with, but with global leadership of thought leaders like H.R.H. Prince Harry of Wales – and Sara Herbert-Galloway, Michael Carrazza, you and me – humanity can make an impact.
Princess Diana taught us that.
Prince Harry: From Polo in Connecticut to Orphans in Africa
(Originally published in The Huffington Post, May 23, 2013; republished Nov. 1, 2025)
Summary
In Greenwich, Connecticut, Prince Harry combined his passion for polo with his profound humanitarian work. He competed in a polo match to benefit Sentebale, the charity he co-founded for vulnerable children and AIDS orphans in Lesotho, Africa. The event, attended by global elites, highlighted his commitment to continuing the legacy of his mother, Princess Diana. His visit brought hope and significant support, aiding children both in distant Africa and locally in Connecticut, demonstrating the power of global compassion and leadership.
#PrinceHarry #Sentebale #RoyalCharity #PoloForACause #Lesotho #HIVAIDS
#Orphans #PrincessDiana #Humanitarian #GreenwichCT #RoyalVisit
TAGS: Prince Harry, Sentebale, Polo, Charity, Lesotho, AIDS orphans, Humanitarian work, Princess Diana,
Greenwich Connecticut, Royal Family, Philanthropy, Africa, HIV/AIDS, Orphans International Worldwide
Facebook
A royal visit with a profound purpose. Prince Harry’s polo match in Greenwich, Connecticut, was more than a game; it was a major fundraiser for Sentebale, his charity supporting vulnerable children and AIDS orphans in Lesotho. This piece reflects on his commitment to continuing Princess Diana’s humanitarian legacy and how the event helped children both in Africa and locally.
#PrinceHarry #Sentebale #RoyalCharity #PoloForACause #Lesotho
Instagram
Beyond the polo field and royal title lies a deep commitment to humanitarian work. Prince Harry’s visit to Greenwich, Connecticut, was for the Sentebale Royal Salute Polo Cup, benefiting the charity he co-founded for vulnerable children and AIDS orphans in Lesotho. A story of compassion, legacy, and global impact.
#PrinceHarry #Sentebale #Humanitarian #Lesotho #Polo
X / Twitter
From a polo field in Connecticut to supporting orphans in Africa. Prince Harry’s charity, Sentebale, highlights his work for vulnerable children in Lesotho. See how the event made a global impact. #PrinceHarry #Sentebale #RoyalCharity #Lesotho
LinkedIn
The intersection of influence and social impact: Prince Harry’s Sentebale Polo Cup in Greenwich, CT, demonstrates how leadership can drive philanthropic success. The event raised crucial funds and awareness for vulnerable children and AIDS orphans in Lesotho, showcasing a model of effective, globally-minded charity. A compelling case study in modern philanthropy.
#Philanthropy #SocialImpact #PrinceHarry #Sentebale #CorporateSocialResponsibility
BlueSky
A closer look at Prince Harry’s philanthropic mission. His polo match in Connecticut supported Sentebale, the organization he founded to help vulnerable children and AIDS orphans in Lesotho. This story details the event and the lasting impact of his humanitarian work, carried out in the spirit of his mother, Princess Diana.
#PrinceHarry #Sentebale #Lesotho #Humanitarian