By Jan Hennop
Maseru - Prince Harry, third in line to the British throne, will spend his third week during a private visit to Africa building fences and planting trees at a rural orphanage in the small mountain kingdom of Lesotho, a royal spokesperson said on Wednesday.
Paddy Harverson, Prince Charles's communications secretary, told reporters ahead of an official photocall - Harry's first and only while on a working holiday - that the prince had toured the small landlocked country since his arrival here last month, as part of his sabbatical year.
"Since arriving in Lesotho on February 13, Prince Harry and his friend George Hill have been travelling the country getting to know Lesotho and its people and working on projects to help local communities," Harverson said.
Prince Harry, 19, and Hill were currently working on a project at the Mants'ase Children's Home near Mohale's Hoek, less than 100km south of the capital Maseru.
"The first thing that they'll be doing and what they have been doing on Tuesday is building fences," Harverson said.
"This orphanage needs fencing in to keep the animals out. They have been putting up posts and they will be putting up wire later today," he told a press briefing packed with local and international reporters.
"There will be some tree planting at the orphanage because they are putting in some fruit trees, which will also provide much-needed shade," Harverson added, cautioning that no interviews would be granted.
Security has been tight since the 19-year-old heir to the throne's arrival in the impoverished country, with British officials declining to give details of the prince's exact location.
During a working visit to a cattle station in the Australian Outback last year, the prince reportedly threatened to abandon his trip after claiming the media were intruding on his private holiday.
Harverson added: "He is a fine young lad and he is out here as part of his gap year to work and experience life in Lesotho. He is not here on an official royal visit."
"Like any 'normal' 19-year-old he wanted to come and experience it for himself, contribute and learn a bit of the country."
"Of course, it's a private visit, we understand the interest in him back home and internationally. We are very happy to support that in return for the media leaving him alone for the rest of his trip." - Sapa-AFP