Prince Harry set for solo tour without Meghan Markle days after duke's UK return

The trip is in connection with Sentebale, the charity he co-founded in 2006. There has been no mention of his wife, Meghan Markle, accompanying him on this journey.

This latest trip for the duke will follow Harry's brief return to British soil for the WellChild Awards on September 30.

Prince Harry's Southern Africa trip is confirmed to take place in early October, suggesting a tight turnaround from his UK visit.

The purpose of the journey is closely tied to his work with Sentebale, a charity he established to support young people affected by HIV in Lesotho and Botswana.

In a statement, Harry said: "Through its work in Lesotho and Botswana, Sentebale has developed a profound understanding of local youth - their passions, their concerns, and their extraordinary creativity.

"These young adults are eager and capable of driving meaningful change, yet significant barriers still stand in their way.

"As we head towards our 20th anniversary, our ambition has grown, giving us the confidence to bring our skills and experience in designing solutions with young people, and to leveraging our convening power to engage with leading regional players and global funders so we can add Sentebales voice to addressing the challenges faced by the next generation in Southern Africa."

Harry's solo venture marks a departure from recent joint appearances with Meghan, sparking interest in the couple's individual pursuits.

The timing of the trip, so soon after his upcoming UK return, demonstrates Harry's ongoing commitment to causes close to his heart, despite the geographical distance from his current California home.

It also highlights the prince's continued connection to Southern Africa, a region that has played a significant role in his life and philanthropic efforts.

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Harry's solo journey to Southern Africa, without Meghan, may also fuel speculation about the couple's individual pursuits and commitments.

The trip serves as a reminder of Harry's longstanding relationship with Southern Africa, a place that has been pivotal in both his personal life and charitable efforts.

Sentebale means "forget-me-not" in Sesotho, reflecting Harry's desire to honour his mother, Princess Diana, and her work with HIV/AIDS patients.

The father-of-two spent part of his gap year in Lesotho in 2004, which inspired him to establish Sentebale.

The region is also where he and the Duchess of Sussex enjoyed early moments in their relationship.