Harry highlights plight of children

The young royal travelled to Lesotho to meet mistreated youngsters who represent the "tip of the iceberg" in a country struggling to address the problem of sexual and physical attacks on children.

Harry visited the new headquarters of a home for abused children which will become a national referral centre for their assessment and treatment.

While touring the facility, the 23-year-old Prince disclosed his fears for one sexually abused child he has pledged to help throughout her life, who has been returned to her grandmother after being cared for by the unit.

The Prince's charity, Sentebale, established in Lesotho two years ago to help children in need, has contributed a third of the new building's £100,000 construction costs, with the remainder coming from a local bank.

Standing inside the centre built in the village of Ha Takalimane in northern Lesotho, Harry said with pride: "As you can see, it's a fantastic building, especially compared to what they were last in.

"We're all very happy and it's got a fantastic board as well to make sure this place runs well.

"The vulnerable kids of Lesotho who need the help, need the shelter, will always be welcome here."

The centre was started by Lydia Muso, 54, a former paediatric hospital worker who cared for youngsters with social problems, who was driven by a need to help orphans and physically and sexually abused children, and began taking them into her own home in 2001.

When her house was destroyed by a fire she struggled to construct a proper replacement and Sentebale stepped in to help with funding and found a project manager.