Prince Harry, Meghan Markle, and baby Archie arrived in Cape Town Monday, September 23, for their royal tour of Southern Africa. Over the course of the next 10 days, Prince Harry will make jaunts to Botswana, Angola, and Malawi, while his wife and son stay in South Africa.
They have a full schedule ahead for this tour—and obviously, we’ll be keeping track of all the best moments. See them here.
After arriving on a commercial flight from London, the Sussexes (minus Archie) arrived for their first official event in the Nyanga township, where they were greeted with music, dancing, and adorable children. While there, the royals met with representatives from The Justice Desk, a human rights organization that focuses on empowering youth in vulnerable communities—two causes championed by Meghan and Harry.
The duchess chose a patterned wrap dress from Mayamiko, a sustainable brand that sources textiles from Malawi. And the couple definitely looked to be enjoying the tiniest members of their welcoming committee.
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There was a lot of love all around.
Team Sussex even busted out some dance moves.
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After a quick hair and dress change for Markle, the couple headed to the District Six Museum, which documents what happened in the neighborhood during apartheid. Then they visited the District Six Homecoming Centre and took part in a cooking activity, which is right up Meghan’s alley, and stopped to talk to the crowds outside.
The royal couple hit the beach for their first engagement of the day with Waves for Change, an organization that focuses on mental health for at-risk youth through activities like surfing, as well as the Lunchbox Fund, which provides lunch for kids at school who need it.
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Markle (dressed casual in a Madewell denim jacket and a white shirt from her Smart Set collection) and Harry even stopped for a quick interview with the journalists traveling with them on the tour about the importance of removing the stigma around mental health.
“It’s just getting people to talk about it and talk to each other, right?” the duchess said. “And you see that no matter where you are in the world—if you’re a small community or a township, if you’re in a big city—it’s that everyone is dealing with a different version of the same thing. Globally, I think there’s a bit of a consciousness crisis, and so the fact we’re able to be here together to see on the ground so much good work that’s being done, just because people are willing to talk to each other about it and someone’s willing to listen, is huge. And that can apply to being here, certainly can apply to being in London, L.A.—doesn’t matter where you are, we’re all sort of trying to power through and find some optimism.”
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The wind didn’t stop the activities, which included a “positive thinking” exercise—and more dancing.
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During the activity, the duke and duchess talked about becoming parents to Archie. Markle said that “parenting” was a new strength she and Harry were developing, then adding that Harry is the “best dad.” He replied, “She’s the best mum.”
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After the two separated—with Harry going to a solo engagement and Markle returning to baby Archie—they got back together to visit a local mosque, where the duchess followed tradition by wearing a headscarf.
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They also greeted massive crowds who had gathered to say hello to the royal couple.
During an evening reception, the Sussexes (with the duchess in a maxidress first seen on their Australian tour) met nonprofit workers from the Obama Foundation’s chapter in South Africa, as well as young conservationists Jade Bothma and Hunter Mitchell. Hunter brought a stuffed elephant for Archie, and Jade got what Markle called a “Cinderella moment” when Prince Harry helped her with her shoe. Could you imagine?!
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The third day of the tour brought what many of us had been waiting for—an official Archie sighting. Meghan and Harry brought their son along to meet Archbishop Desmond Tutu, the humanitarian famed for his anti-apartheid work. It was all very adorable and touching given the archbishop’s relationship with Archie’s late grandmother, Princess Diana. See even more photos of videos of the little guy’s first royal engagement here.
Meghan then changed into her favorite Everlane jumpsuit and met with female entrepreneurs from Ladies Who Launch for a solo engagement. “We’re only five months in right now,” she told the group about motherhood. “Being a working mom and traveling as well with a baby, it’s a lot, but it’s all so exciting. There are days when it’s a lot to juggle, but then you meet someone, have an impact on them, and it’s so rewarding.”
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She then met with Mothers2Mothers, a group that works to “train and employ women living with HIV to bring health and hope to other women, their families, and communities.” The duchess brought along some of Archie’s old clothes and donations from her friends with kids.
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She got down on the floor to play too. We stan a relatable royal. “I just think if Archie were here with all those toys on the floor and I made him sit in the chair, it would be so unfair,” she said.
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Markle also had a very sweet moment with a young fan outside. “I always wanted to meet Meghan. It’s been my dream,” the little girl told Vanity Fair’s Katie Nicholl.
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We love that this tour is filled with so many hugs!
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While his wife and son stayed in South Africa, Prince Harry traveled to Botswana—a country that holds a special place in his heart. He has spent much time there over the years, including soon after the death of Princess Diana and during his early courtship with Markle.
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He also helped plant trees at the Chobe Tree Reserve.
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Prince Harry continued his solo leg of the tour with a very special engagement in Angola. He walked through a partially cleared minefield on the very same path that Princess Diana did in 1997. His mother wanted to draw attention to the issue of land mines, and her presence at the site did just that. A caption on the Sussex Royal Instagram reads, "The Duke is humbled to be visiting a place and a community that was so special to his mother, and to recognise her tireless mission as an advocate for all those she felt needed her voice the most, even if the issue was not universally popular.”
Here is Diana in 1997.
And Harry today, wearing similar body armor and protective gear.
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Meanwhile, Markle made a secret trip to pay tribute to Uyinene Mrwetyana, a young woman who was brutally murdered on a visit to the post office last month. The death of the 19-year-old has sparked a series of protests throughout South Africa, in which protesters have called for action against gender-based violence.
Markle visited the post office where Mrwetyana was killed and left a yellow ribbon to honor her memory, the royals' Instagram account revealed. The duchess's ribbon included a handwritten message in Xhosa (a local language): "Simi kunye kulesisimo," which means "We stand together in this moment." Some reports say that the ribbon came from a gift Markle was given on an earlier day of the tour.
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Before her visit, Markle reportedly spoke with Mrwetyana's mother to express her condolences. The duchess said she wanted "to pay her respects and to show solidarity with those who have taken a stand against gender-based violence and femicide," royal reporter Emily Andrews explained on Twitter. Throughout the royal tour, Markle and Prince Harry have expressed their alarm at rising gender-based violence in South Africa.
Prince Harry made a number of solo engagements in Angola, including a meeting with its president and first lady, before traveling to Malawi.
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We learned that the Duchess of Sussex held some private meetings and events while Harry was away, including one with a number of influential female activists in South Africa. "In sitting down with these forward thinkers, it was abundantly clear—it is not enough to simply hope for a better future; the only way forward is ‘hope in action.’ I’m eager to spend the next few days in South Africa continuing to learn, listen, and absorb the resilience and optimism I’ve felt here,” she wrote on Instagram. (For royal-fashion fans: Markle is wearing a pleated skirt from J.Crew and a Misha Nonoo Boyfriend tank.)
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Harry kept busy in Malawi, meeting with more young people and paying tribute to a man who lost his life fighting poaching in the country.
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Later in the day, the duchess Skyped in to a classroom (while Archie was napping) where her husband was meeting with members of the CAMA alumnae branch of CAMFED's (Campaign for Female Education) education movement.
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"While in Johannesburg today, The Duchess of Sussex visited Victoria Yards, which celebrates the power of community, bringing local artisans and 'makers' together to rebuild, support and learn from each other on a holistic level," Team Sussex said on Instagram. "It was an exceptional afternoon where The Duchess had the chance to connect with the children and founders of the phenomenal programme for kids' development Timbuktu in The Valley. She was also struck by the local denim designer who founded eponymous brand Tshepo who shared this info about the logo for his line: 'The crown on my jeans represents the three ladies who raised me. Enjoy wearing this crown.'"
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She even got some new jeans for herself and baby Archie.
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As the tour winds down, Harry will soon rejoin his wife and son in Johannesburg. Meanwhile, the duchess kept busy visiting students at the University of Johannesburg in one of her signature trench dresses—this one from Banana Republic. She announced four new scholarships to help students in commonwealth countries. “Sometimes access to education can seem so big you wonder where to even begin," she said. "So you begin with one student, or one school; you simply begin. And that’s when we see change."
She then changed into a green shirtdress for meetings at Action Aid to discuss gender-based violence, a theme of the royals' work during this tour. Also, there were more hugs, singing, and homemade drawings for the duchess.
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During an interview Markle revealed that she's been missing her husband while he's on the solo leg of their tour in Botswana, Angola, and Malawi. "It’s my first time being in [South Africa]…and Harry has continued on in a couple [of] other countries," she said. "We are reuniting today, which I can’t wait for. I miss him so much!" She also said that the tour events have been scheduled around baby Archie's "feed times."
“So it’s a full plate, but we’re making it work. It’s worth it.”
Prince Harry rejoined his family in Johannesburg for the final day of the tour—and his wife looks so happy.
First up, meeting with young entrepreneurs in the Tembisa township. "It’s moments like today, and meeting all of you, that inspires us," Harry said in a speech. "Whether supporting young entrepreneurs, empowering women and girls, or challenging the issue of gender-based violence; whether it’s been planting trees, clearing landmines, or protecting the most beautiful creatures and places on the planet, these experiences have affirmed our love of Africa, and the issues that are so important to us."
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The duchess also spoke about the female business owners and how proud she is of their efforts and the power of the economic freedom they've created.
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The Sussexes also met with humanitarian Graca Machel, Nelson Mandela's widow.
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This post will be updated as the royal tour continues.
