Prince Harry to follow Diana’s footsteps
In a special tribute to his mother, Prince Harry will return to the minefield where Princess Diana was famously photographed in 1997.
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Prince Harry will pay a poignant tribute to his late mother Princess Diana, as he takes his family on an emotional landmark tour of Africa, his “second home”.
Meghan and little baby Archie will join the Duke of Sussex as he shares his great love for Africa with them and campaigns for causes close to his heart.
The 10-day tour, which begins on Monday, will take in South Africa, Malawi, Angola and Botswana as the eyes of the world descend on the young royal family.
Meghan and Archie will join Prince Harry in South Africa, as the four-month-old becomes the youngest ever royal to go on tour at (born May 6).
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Prince Harry will travel to Malawi, Botswana and Angola separately as he campaigns for the removal of landmines, helps children living with HIV through his charity Sentebale, and visits environmental conservation projects that are also lifting people out of poverty.
In a special moment on the tour, Prince Harry will return to Angola where Princess Diana was famously photographed touring a landmine site.
Royal watcher Dickie Arbiter said Prince Harry was passionate about the HALO Charity cause of landmine eradication, so it was more than simply honouring his mother’s memory.
“Harry is not just going in his mother’s shadow, he’s going in his own right,” Mr Arbiter said.
“He’s an ex-military man and he has been at the sharp end of action in Afghanistan so he’s seen what a weapon can do to people. He’s best placed to do this because he is (HALO Charity) patron.”
The images of Princess Diana walking through an active minefield, taken in 1997, became iconic and led to 122 states signing a treaty banning landmines.
The Angolan government has also poured $60 million in to eradicate mines in the area.
Prince Harry said he was excited when he announced the tour.
“In just a few weeks our family will be taking its first official tour to Africa, a region of the world that over the past two decades has been a second home to me,” he said.
“Our team has helped create a meaningful program that we’re so excited to share with you.
“On a personal note, I can’t wait to introduce my wife and son to South Africa! We’ll see all of you very soon.”
Buckingham Palace said in a statement: “The Duke of Sussex’s love for Africa is well known; he first visited the continent at the age of thirteen and more than two decades later, the people, culture, wildlife and resilient communities continue to inspire and motivate him every day.
“As Her Majesty’s Commonwealth Youth Ambassador, The Duke now has a platform to be able to support young people across Africa in reaching their full potential.”
There are no official engagements planned for baby Archie, but the world’s media will be hoping for another glimpse of the seventh in line to the throne.
The tour will also be an opportunity for Meghan to shine, after she impressed with a note free six-minute speech at a charity event in London.
“Meghan will do very well, she’s a very good communicator,” Mr Arbiter, a former spokesman for the Queen, said.
Buckingham Palace said Meghan hoped to learn from “inspirational women in the region.”
The couple will also visit a museum that traces the effects of the apartheid regime in South Africa, and meet Archbishop Desmond Tutu and Graca Machel, widow of the late former
President Mandela.
Originally published as Prince Harry to follow Diana’s footsteps