Prince Harry travels to Angola, Africa where Princess Diana famously walked through landmine field

As secret meetings continue with King Charles, Prince Harry has taken a personal trip that has stunned royal watchers. See the photos.

Prince Harry has taken up the mantle of his mum Princess Diana and travelled to Africa to advocate for a future free of landmines.

Months before she was killed in 1997, Princess Di brought global attention to the plight of landmine victims when she bravely walked through an active field in Angola, central Africa.

The iconic images from Diana’s work contributed greatly to the subsequent Ottawa Treaty – an international agreement of which Australia is a signatory that prohibits the use of antipersonnel mines.

Prince Harry has returned to continue his mother’s work in banning landmines. Picture: AFP

Diana, Princess of Wales, uses a remote switch to trigger the detonation of some explosive ordinance dug up by mine sweepers in Huambo, central Angola in 1997. Picture: AP

The Duke of Sussex released a statement about his work with the anti-landmine charity HALO Trust to advocate for the remaining 1000 active fields in Angola alone to be cleared.

“As a father to young children, it breaks my heart to see innocent children still living and playing next to minefields,” Harry said.

“All of us have a duty to protect children and future generations from the harms of war, both present and past.”

Harry took part in a landmine safety education session in the remote village of Mawano where he helped repeat safety instructions in Portuguese to teach local children how to recognise and avoid landmines.

The Angolans were happy to see the prince return. Picture: AFP

The prince has committed to advocating for the charity over many years. Picture: AFP

Britain's Prince Harry is greeted as he visits the work of landmine clearance charity of the Halo Trust. Picture: AP

The prince was also pleased to see what formerly an active minefield during a previous visit he made in 2013 was now a space for the children to play.

Harry’s visit came as the Angolan government announced a new three-year commitment to support landmine clearance.

The royal met with Angola’s President João Lourenço where he thanked him for supporting the cause beloved by Diana.

“This commitment is about more than removing deadly devices,” Harry said.

“It’s about unlocking potential in a country that has so much – enabling children to walk to school safely, allowing farmers to grow crops, attracting sustainable development and bringing back wildlife tourism.”

Harry took part in a mine awareness safety class in Cuito Cuanavale, Cuando province, southern Angola. Picture: AFP

Diana’s images with young Angolan amputees who had their limbs severed by landmines are among her most iconic. Picture: AP

Harry also visited the landmine fields with HALO in 2019.

On his most recent trip Harry attended receptions hosted by the British Embassy and Angolan ministers and visited a war memorial in Cuito Cuanavale where he emphasised the need for global donation to continue the important work.

“I urge all donors to stand with Angola in fighting the job. This is not just about landmines, It’s about healing the last wounds of war and giving future generations the peace they deserve,” the prince said.

Originally published as Prince Harry travels to Angola, Africa where Princess Diana famously walked through landmine field