On 12 November 2016, British High Commissioner Dame Judith Macgregor travelled to Maseru in Lesotho to celebrate and congratulate the Basotho people on their 50 years of independence. Her Majesty Queen Masenate Mohato Seeiso accompanied by Basotho officials, 45 World War Two veterans, the Diplomatic corps and other dignitaries participated in laying wreaths at Mokoanyane Square on Sunday the 13th.

The Remembrance Day event was followed by a lunch at the Royal palace where Basotho veterans where honoured for their participation in the Second World War. A life size Spitfire replica was also given to Lesotho by the Spitfire Heritage Trust. This was a gesture of thanks to the Basotho for the donation of 24 similar aircrafts gifted to Great Britain’s 72nd squadron as support during the war.

In a press conference held on the same day, the High Commissioner, together with representatives from Letseng Diamonds, and the Sentebale and Durham Link charity organisations, engaged with media on Lesotho-UK opportunities and partnerships between the UK and Lesotho in support of the development of the Basotho people.

Concluding the press conference Dame Judith Macgregor said: There has long been a strong link between the Kingdom of Lesotho and Great Britain that cuts across development and education, examples of ongoing programmes include Chevening Scholarships and the 2016 Queen’s Young Leader winner, Maletsabisa Molapo. The UK and the Kingdom of Lesotho continue to enjoy rich links between people, institutions and communities. The British government works to continue that friendship and to support Lesotho’s development towards a stable, secure and prosperous future.