'Kingdom in the Sky': 10 things you should know about Lesotho

With Prince Harry there on a week-long tour, the Kingdom of Lesotho is definitely in the spotlight this week. Before the royal moves on to South Africa, we've rounded up some interesting facts about the African country that's so meaningful to Prince Harry.


  1. Lesotho is one of only three countries in the world landlocked by a single country, South Africa. It's nestled between the Drakensberg and Maloti mountain ranges and has a population of two million. It's similiar in size to Belgium.
  2. It is the only country in the world to lie entirely above 1,000 metres above the sea level. Its mountainous landscape is where it earns itself the title of "Kingdom in the Sky."
  3. Prince Harry first visited in 2004. Together with the country's Prince Seeiso, he founded the Sentebale charity in memory of both their mothers. On Nov. 26, Harry opened Mamohato Children's Centre, which will host camps for children struggling to overcome their HIV/AIDS diagnosis. The centre has sweeping views over the imposing Thaba Bosiu plateau – sacred as the birthplace of Lesotho as a nation.
  4. The country's traditional Basotho hat, called the mokorotlo, is inspired by its conical Mount Qiloane.
  5. It is a member of the Commonwealth of Nations and last year the Lesotho delegation danced in traditional costume and hats in the opening ceremony of the Commonwealth Games in Glasgow, Scotland.
  6. Lesotho's motto, "Khotso, pula, nala," means "peace, rain, prosperity." It is represented in the national flag by the colours white, blue and green respectively.
  7. Lesotho is twinned with Wales. In March 1985, Wales and Lesotho established the world's first nation-to-nation twinning, in order to promote friendship and understanding between the people of both nations.
  8. Nearly 100 per cent of its hydroelectric energy is provided by the Lesotho Highlands Water Project.
  9. The major natural resources of Lesotho are water and diamonds. Lesotho exports mohair, wool, clothing and footwear. It's the largest sub-Saharan African exporter of garments to the United States. One of Levi's jeans manufacturing facilities is located here.
  10. Most of the country's landscape is highlands, so to reach the far-flung villages, the most common mode of transport is by horse.

HELLO!'s royal correspondent Emily Nash is with the prince every step of the way, and will share all of the details and regular updates in a travel diary.
