Prince Harry Makes First Public Outing Since Daughter Lili's Birth

Prince Harry was spotted for the first time in public since he and his wife Meghan Markle welcomed their daughter, Lilibet Diana.

The Duke of Sussex made his first public appearance since his second child's birth in June when he took part in a charity polo match in Aspen, Colorado, Thursday, Page Six reported. In photos obtained by the outlet, Prince Harry sported a turquoise top and white jodhpurs while competing in the game, which raised funds for his charity, Sentebale.

Prince Harry was joined by his good friend, international polo player and Sentebale ambassador Nacho Figueras, at the Aspen Valley Polo Club for the game. One photo from the outing showed him giving Figueras a congratulatory hug.

Markle was not present at Thursday's match, which featured extensive COVID-19 safety protocols, according to People.

Prior to the polo match, Prince Harry announced that $1.5 million of the proceeds from his upcoming memoir will be going toward the charity, which he co-founded with Prince Seeiso of Lesotho in 2006.

According to its website, Sentebale "supports the mental health and wellbeing of children and young people affected by HIV in Lesotho and Botswana." The organization offers programs and provides tools and knowledge to help them live long, happy and healthy lives.

"This is one of several donations I plan to make to charitable organizations and I’m grateful to be able to give back in this way for the children and communities who gravely need it," Prince Harry was quoted by Page Six as saying in a statement.

"The Sentebale Polo Cup is critical to securing the funds needed to advance this important mission, and I’m thrilled to be able to support Sentebale, both in person and financially through a separate charitable donation to meet this immediate need," he continued, adding that their focus is to address the "most immediate needs of vulnerable children in Southern Africa."

In response, the charity said in a statement that it is "grateful" for Prince Harry's contribution, which "will allow the organization to continue operating at full scale and continue providing critical services to at-risk youth in Southern Africa."

The duke's appearance at the charity polo match comes more than two months after he and Markle announced through a statement on their foundation Archewell's website that they will be taking parental leave following the birth of baby Lili.

Prince Harry and his wife planned to take several months off to spend time with their daughter, as well as their son Archie, in keeping with the 20-week paid parental leave policy of their foundation, People reported in June.