Having already taken tours of Australia, New Zealand, Tonga and Morocco since their royal wedding, the Duke and Duchess of Sussex are to now take an official trip to Africa.
On Monday 23rdSeptember, Prince Harry, Meghan Markle and Archie embarked on their first-ever overseas tour together and are expected to arrive in Cape Town in the afternoon, before staying at the High Commissioner’s residence.
Here's everything you need to know about the trip:
Meghan and Harry's trip to South Africa has come to and end
The Duke and Duchess of Sussex and Archie have landed back in the UK following their 10-day trip of South Africa.
The family-of-three arrived back at London Heathrow on Thursday morning after departing from Johannesburg the night before.
Buckingham Palace have not yet announced the couple's next public engagements in the UK but we can't wait to see them again!
Meghan attends roundtable discussion at the University of Johannesburg
Proud feminist Meghan Markle was heard speaking about the importance of gender equality in higher education with the Association of Commonwealth Universities (ACU).
On Tuesday 1st October, the 38-year-old told students and academics: ‘When a women is empowered it changes absolutely everything in the community.’
During the meeting, the mother-of-one– who took over from the Queen as patron of the ACU in January – announced three new ‘gender grants’ from the university and those of Stellenbosch and Western Cape.
‘The goal here is to be able to have gender equality, to be able to support women as they are working in research and higher education roles,’ she added.
‘True to what you said, when a women is empowered it changes absolutely everything in the community and starting an educational atmosphere is really a key point of that.’
The royal - who wore a now sold out khaki -coloured double-breasted trench dress from Banana Republic which she teamed with beige Stuart Weitzman pumps and a bracelet by Alemdara - said it was thanks to financial help and a scholarship that she was able to go to university and credited ‘families chipping in’.
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‘If you don't have the support that is necessary that you feel that you can keep taking the next step then you're stunted in growth,’ she noted.
Ahead of her visit, the duchess was welcomed by Susana Glavan, director of the British Council in South Africa, and Professor Tshilidzi Marwala, vice chancellor of the university.
Meghan Markle's Secret Meeting To Discuss Women's Rights
The Duchess of Sussex took to Instagram once more to share her second secret meeting in South Africa whilst her husband continued his royal tour.
The former Suits star took to social media to detail that she met with a group of women, whose expertise ranged from anti-apartheid issues to education, to try and garner greater understanding around women's rights.
She wrote a lengthy caption that detailed the event, including name checking famous South African activist Sophia Williams-De Bruyn:
On Thursday we convened a meeting of minds - a group of women ranging from a legendary anti-apartheid activist, female parliamentarians, professors, educators and policy makers to discuss the rights of women in South Africa. In the lead up to this tour it weighed heavily on my heart to see the countless violations against women, and I wanted to spend my time on the ground learning about the situation at hand.
One of the guests, Sophia Williams-De Bruyn was just 18 years old when in 1956 she led 20,000 women to march on the Union Buildings in Pretoria in protest of apartheid pass laws. She is the last living leader of the march, and today, a symbol of those who fight for fundamental human rights - For her it is simple - she fights for what is right.
Issues of gender inequality affect women throughout the world, independent of race, colour, creed, or socioeconomic background. In the last week I’ve met with women from all walks of life - religious leaders such as the first female rabbi in Capetown, grassroots leaders in Nyanga at Mbokodo, community activists, parliamentarians, and so many more.
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.
Meghan Markle's Secret Visit To Honour Murder Victim
Whilst Prince Harry spent time in Angola following in the footsteps of his mother, the Duchess of Sussex stayed in their original destination of South Africa with their four-month-old son Archie.
Without inviting press, however, Markle appears to still be making under-the-radar visits, including the Clareinch Post Office, where student of University of Cape Town Uyinene 'Nene' Mrwetyana was violently murdered in August.
The mother-of-one tied a ribbon of remembrance for Mrwetyana, whose tragic death reignited much-needed discussion about femicide and sexual assault in the country.
An Instagram post shared on the Sussex's page, showing the former Suits star making her secret visit, detailed that she has spent two days meeting with various people to deepen her understanding of the gender based violence in the country. The caption read:
“Simi kunye kulesisimo” – ‘We stand together in this moment’
The Duchess of Sussex has tied a ribbon at the site where 19-year-old Cape Town student Uyinene Mrwetyana was murdered last month, to pay her respects and to show solidarity with those who have taken a stand against gender based violence and femicide. Over the last month in Capetown, protests erupted through the streets in outrage over GBV in South Africa.
The Duke and Duchess had been following what had happened from afar and were both eager to learn more when they arrived in South Africa. The Duchess spoke to the mother of Uyinene this week to relay their condolences.
Visiting the site of this tragic death and being able to recognise Uyinene, and all women and girls effected by GBV (specifically in South Africa, but also throughout the world) was personally important to The Duchess.
Uyinene’s death has mobilised people across South Africa in the fight against gender based violence, and is seen as a critical point in the future of women’s rights in South Africa. The Duchess has taken private visits and meetings over the last two days to deepen her understanding of the current situation and continue to advocate for the rights of women and girls.
Visit to Bo Kaap
The couple started their day with a visit to Monwabisi beach where they met the organisation Waves For Change, which helps children and young people experiencing mental health issues.
Meghan, who wore a casual denim jacket and white shirt combination for the outing, and Harry sat down with the young people on the beach chatting, clapping and all had to speak about one strength they had.
It was during this moment that one of the coaches suggested to Meghan her strength was dancing after the Duchess had danced with a group of women the day before in Cape Town, which she laughed off, according to Hello!
She reportedly added her new strength is parenting and that she and Harry are 'learning and developing' every day since Archie's June birth.
'She said he's the best dad and he said she's the best birth,' a member of the organisation told the magazine.
The couple later gave an impromptu interview to members of the media where they spoke about the importance of supporting those experiencing mental health difficulties wherever they are in the world.
Later in the day, the couple visited a mosque and visited a local house in the Bo Kaap district before heading to a reception for young people and community leaders at the residence of the British High Commissioner, where Markle recycled a dress she last wore during her royal tour of Australia, New Zealand, Fiji and Tonga.
Visit to Nyanga township
The royal couple landed in Cape Town on the morning of Monday 23rd September and took out their first official engagement in the Cape Town township of Nyanga.
The pair were spotted walking hand-in-hand as they visited a Justice Desk initiative in Nyanga, which teaches children about their rights and provides self-defence classes and female empowerment training to young girls in the community.
For the occasion, Prince Harry wore a pair of dark trousers and a white shirt while Meghan wore a black and white printed wrap dress by MayaMiko and a pair of espadrilles.
According to MayaMiko's website, the dress is sourced and made in Malawi, PETA approved and is currently sold out online.
During their visit, the royals were greeted by a group of dancers and boogied along to the music.
The couple then separately made speeches about violence against women in South Africa, which has recently been described as a national emergency by President Cyril Ramaphosa.
'While I am here with my husband as a member of the Royal Family, I am here with you as a woman, as a wife, as a woman of colour and as your sister,' said Meghan during her heartfelt speech.
Harry added: ‘Touching on what your President said last week – no man is born to cause harm to women, this is learned behaviour, and a cycle that needs to be broken.
‘So now, it’s about redefining masculinity, it’s about creating your own footprints for your children to follow in, so that you can make a positive change for the future. To me, the real testament of your strength isn’t physical, it’s what’s up here and what’s in here.
‘Your strength is in your spirit, which for me means honouring and protecting my wife, and being a positive role model for my son.’
Later on Monday afternoon, the pair will visit a women's shelter and a workshop teaching children about their rights and giving them self-defence and safety training.
HELLO! reports that the Duchess plans to give several baby gifts to the charity mothers2mothers, which she will visit during her time in Cape Town.
A Palace source reportedly told the publication: ‘The Duke and Duchess were inundated with gifts for baby Archie from organisations and the general public. They were incredibly grateful but one little baby can only wear so many clothes and he’s growing fast!
‘So the Duchess decided to being a number of his presents to re-gift them to South African children and families most in need. She’ll take a selection of clothes, books and pens to the mothers2mothers charity which help families with HIV.’
On Sunday evening, a representative from the organisation posted a message on Instagram sharing their delight that Meghan would be paying them a visit.
‘The visit will form part of The Duke and Duchess of Sussex's Royal Tour of Africa, and we are so thrilled to be included in their trip,’ an excerpt of the caption reads.
Where Will Meghan Markle And Prince Harry Visit In Africa?
After much speculation as to where Meghan Markle and Prince Harry would visit later this year, Buckingham Palace recently confirmed that the royal couple would make an official visit to South Africa at the request of the Foreign and Commonwealth Office.
According to the Palace, Meghan and Harry are to both visit South Africa, then the Duke will separately visit Angola and Malawi (again, at the request of the government) and 'undertake a working visit to Botswana', alone.
In a post shared on Instagram in June, Meghan and Harry addressed those living in the continent, stating that they were 'looking forward to meeting so many of you on the ground and continuing to raise awareness of the high impact work local communities are doing across the Commonwealth and beyond'.
When Is Meghan And Harry's Royal Tour To Africa?
Taking to their Instagram stories earlier this summer, the couple posted a countdown that revealed that their official royal tour will commence on 23rd September.
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The Instagram Story also alluded that baby Archie Harrison will also join his parents on their tour, noting that the trip will be 'their first official tour as a family'.
Following the announcement, royal correspondent Rebecca English suggested on social media that the couple's son will make the trip but stay in South Africa with Meghan.
It is therefore unclear as to whether the Duke and Duchess' first child will go with them on their Royal Tour, since he will be only four months old. Due to both security and travel issues, it will be widely discussed between the couple and palace aides before a decision is made, ITV reports.
It is worth noting that Prince George was only eight months old when his parents Will and Kate, the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge, took him on a Royal Tour of New Zealand and Australia.
Why Would Meghan And Harry Go On A Royal Tour of Africa?
The couple, particularly Harry, has strong ties and a long history working with charitable organisations in the continent of Africa.
His mother, the late Princess Wales, famously walked through one of Angola's active minefields in 1997 – something that Harry mirrored during a trip to Mozambique in 2010.
Harry also co-founded the Sentebale charity with Lesotho’s Prince Seeiso in 2006 to support the mental health and wellbeing of young people affected by HIV and AIDS in Lesotho, Botswana and Malawi.
In a recent social media post, the Sussexes stated: 'The charity is one way in which both Princes’ are able to keep their mothers’ legacy alive. Sentebale means “Forget me not” in Sesotho.'
Botswana, specifically, holds a special place in the couple's hearts, as the pair took an important trip there during their courtship and for their honeymoon.
The Duke is the Commonwealth Youth Ambassador, as well as president of The Queen's Commonwealth, whilst the Duchess is the Vice president of the Trust.
When Did Rumours Of The Royal Tour Begin?
On 26th June, the British High Commissioner to South Africa said that the royal couple will be making a visit to the country in the autumn during a speech.
In a video clip shared to Twitter, High Commissioner Nigel Casey said: 'They [the royal couple] are coming back to visit us in South Africa this autumn.
'That's great news for us but I predict it's also good news for the South African economy as I predict a hat and frock buying frenzy to rival even SONA which could well restore economic growth all on its own,' Casey joked.
Daisy Murray is the Digital Fashion Editor at ELLE UK, spotlighting emerging designers, sustainable shopping, and celebrity style. Since joining in 2016 as an editorial intern, Daisy has run the gamut of fashion journalism - interviewing Molly Goddard backstage at London Fashion Week, investigating the power of androgynous dressing and celebrating the joys of vintage shopping.
Olivia Blair is Entertainment Editor (Luxury) at Hearst UK, working across ELLE, Esquire and Harper's Bazaar. Olivia covers all things entertainment and has interviewed the likes of Margot Robbie, Emma Stone, Michaela Coel and Ryan Gosling over the years.
