Inside Prince Harry's Art-Filled Night at N.Y.C. Gallery Launch Party: ‘His Heart Is Really in It’ (Exclusive)

Mar. 15, 2025

Ki Smith and Prince Harry at the Ki Smith Gallery at the “Friend” exhibit launch benefitting Sentebale in New York City on Dec. 4, 2024.Photo:Kevin Mazur/Getty

Kevin Mazur/Getty

Prince Harryspent a memorable evening at a New York City art gallery in support of his charity,Sentebale.

The exhibit opens to the public on Dec. 14 and runs until Jan. 19, and 100% of the gallery’s proceeds from the sale of the art will be donated to Sentebale. The showcase is free to attend, and visitors have the option to make on-site donations to the organization.

“I and we, and everybody at Sentebale, are hugely grateful for you pulling this together. You have been a joy, you and your team have been an absolute joy to work with, so we are massively grateful for that,” Prince Harry said about Ki Smith, the curator behind the exhibit, to kick off a panel discussion at the event, which PEOPLE attended.

(From left) Prince Harry, Rakuko Naito, Nolan Feng, Edward Mccabe, and Ki Smith pose in front of Rakuko Naito’s artwork at the “Friend” exhibit launch benefitting Sentebale at the Ki Smith Gallery in New York City on Dec. 4, 2024.Kevin Mazur/Getty

“I already know that your grandmother is winning, when it comes to pieces sold, which considering, it isn’t even open until next week, well done, this is fantastic news,” he said about Rakuko Naito, Smith’s grandmother and an artist whose work is on view for “Friend.”

“I am slightly new to the art world, so I’m not going to pretend as though I know something that I don’t, but what I do know is the ability for art to be able to convene and bring people together, and that is needed more than ever in today’s world,” Prince Harry continued. “Everything we do at Sentebale is reflected through this art, and through you, and your values, and what I believe, the way you see the world. So again, an enormous thank you from all of us here for being you.”

Prince Harry with Dana Craig and Alex Goldstein at the “Friend” exhibit launch benefitting Sentebale at the Ki Smith Gallery in New York City on Dec. 4, 2024.Kevin Mazur/Getty

The Duke of Sussex was in good spirits at the event, forgoing a tie with his suit as he worked the room, mingling with both artists and guests. Attendees enjoyed Royal Salute cocktails and sampled charcuterie from Farm to People while taking in the stunning Op Art and Minimalist works on display, ahead of the panel discussion.

After introducing Smith, Harry listened intently from the front row, absorbing the 20-minute discussion on the intersection of art and social impact.

Exclusively speaking to PEOPLE at the launch party, Smith tells PEOPLE that Prince Harry’s “heart is really in it.”

“I think that people always make folks like him larger than life, and he’s one of the sweetest, humblest, most genuine people I’ve ever met. His heart is really in it,” the gallerist says about what it was like to spend time with the Duke of Sussex during the Sentebale-focused trip to Lesotho in October.

“That to me was immediately something I was like, ‘Wow, this is someone that really cares. This is not someone that’s doing it to go say they did it.’ His heart is in it. Prince Seeiso’s heart was in it, and they’re really fun guys, and it was an intimate circle and stuff like this. So it’s a lot of joking around and just seeing the impact that they have there, which is incredible. So I think that that was to me, really inspiring.”

The “Friend” exhibit benefitting Sentebale at the Ki Smith Gallery in New York City on Dec. 4, 2024.Kevin Mazur/Getty

Recounting a favorite memory from their time in Lesotho, Smith says, “One of the fun parts is that first night when everyone’s around the campfire, we’re in the middle of it and all the electricity goes off. And it was this really incredible moment because I always think the moments that are unrehearsed…We’re all people, we all made it work. We’re all here, we’re all living under the same life circumstances. I think that’s really cool. It was really humbling. And I think that that was a really great way to transition into an incredible trip.”

The exclusive preview convened luminaries from the worlds of art, philanthropy and culture, includingRonan Farrow, Leslie Ma, Associate Curator of Asian Art at the Metropolitan Museum of Art and more. Dr. Sophie Chandauka MBE, Sentebale’s Board Chair, moderated a lively panel discussion featuring Smith, Naito and art collector Charlotte Matityahu, in a conversation exploring art as a force for good and how that connects to Sentebale’s mission of empowering young people to thrive.

“It’s amazing to work with Prince Harry because he is so authentically connected to the organization. He has a lot of energy, he has lots of ideas. He’s excited about the innovative ways of doing things. And you can’t ask for more,” Chandauka exclusively tells PEOPLE about what it’s like to work with Prince Harry at Sentebale and on the “Friend” showcase.

(From left) Hanoch Sheps, Ki Smith and Prince Harry at the “Friend” exhibit launch benefitting Sentebale at the Ki Smith Gallery in New York City on Dec. 4, 2024.Kevin Mazur/Getty

The charity’s name means “forget-me-not” in the Sesotho language, honoring a pledge to remember the region’s most vulnerable youth. Forget-me-nots were also the late Princess Diana’s favorite flower. Prince Harry previously told PEOPLE of hiscommitment to continuingher philanthropic legacy, “I honor my mother in everything I do. I am my mother’s son.”

In a statement shared with PEOPLE about “Friend” at the Ki Smith Gallery, Prince Harry and Prince Seeiso said, “This collaboration with Ki Smith and his gallery is incredibly meaningful to the organization. Having Ki join us in Lesotho this past October to see Sentebale’s work firsthand, and to experience the creativity, resilience and determination of the young people we serve, was truly special."

“‘Friend’ is making art accessible to everyone — an act that resonates deeply with Sentebale’s ethos of leaving no one behind. This exhibition captures the spirit of inclusivity and community that lies at the heart of both Sentebale and Ki Smith Gallery,” the princes continued. “Sharing art as a powerful force for connection and change is inspiring.”

(From left) Dr. Sophie Chandauka MBE, Ki Smith, Charlotte Matityahu, and Rakuko Naito speak on a panel at the “Friend” exhibit launch benefitting Sentebale at the Ki Smith Gallery in New York City on Dec. 4, 2024.Kevin Mazur/Getty

Prince Seeiso and Prince Harry in Maseru, Lesotho on Oct. 1, 2024.Brian Otieno/Getty

Brian Otieno/Getty

By donating proceeds from “Friend” to Sentebale, Smith endeavors to elevate the intersection of art and impact, effortlessly connecting philanthropy and high art for good.

“Collaboration, building community, and empowering a rising generation have always been core tenants of Ki Smith Gallery and Friend is a result of the Sentebale’s parallel ethos,” the statement said in part.

Ki Smith and Prince Seeiso in Lesotho.BRIAN OTIENO FOR GETTY

BRIAN OTIENO FOR GETTY

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“Friend” at the Ki Smith Gallery in New York City opens on Saturday, Dec. 14 and runs until Sunday, Jan. 19. Guests can RSVP to attend atkismithgallery.com.

Prince Harry’s night out at the gallery follows his appearance at the2024 DealBook SummitfromThe New York Timesearlier on Wednesday and ahead of his wifeMeghan Markle’s red carpet moment at the2024 Paley Honors Fall Galain Beverly Hills. The event celebrated the career of their friend,Tyler Perry, who is a godfather to the couple’s daughter,Princess Lilibet, 3.

Prince Harry and Meghan, 43, also share sonPrince Archie, 5, and Perry opened his home to them when they relocated from the U.K. to her home state of California in 2020.

source: people.com