Britain’s Prince Harry, his wife Meghan and baby Archie arrived in South Africa on Monday, launching their first official family visit in the coastal city of Cape Town.
The 10-day trip began with an education workshop in Nyanga, a township crippled by gang violence and crime that sits on the outskirts of the city’s stunning beaches and rolling vineyards.
The royal couple will then tour District Six museum, a memorial to the expulsion of some 60,000 non-white residents from the city centre during apartheid.
The Duke and Duchess — an American who describes herself as “half black and half white” — will delve into South Africa’s history and life under the apartheid regime, which classed and divided people according to their skin colour.
Those defined as “black” or “coloured” were considered second-class citizens and only allowed in “white-only” areas provided they had a pass.
For some in South Africa, the presence of a royal with mixed heritage could make this visit particularly special.
“(I am) very happy they’re coming,” said Victoria Simanga, whose daughter was attending the event in Nyanga.
– All eyes on baby –
Harry first visited Africa when he was 13 and has since travelled widely across the continent.
After spending a gap year in Lesotho, he jointly founded the charity Sentebale in 2006 to help support children affected by HIV.
Harry and Meghan holidayed in Botswana at the start of their romance in 2016, and returned as a couple the following year.
But the trip marks Archie’s first major public appearance since his birth in May.
At less than five months old, the baby will become one of the youngest royals to take part in an official visit.
The duke and duchess have largely kept their son out of the spotlight, and some royal fans felt cheated when his christening was held privately.
He last appeared in public on the sidelines of a royal charity polo match in July.
AFP
