It seems like Prince Harry and Meghan Markle will soon be heading out on their first royal tour with baby Archie! The official word on the trip to southern Africa has always been that it would occur during the fall. Outlets had speculated that the trip would be in mid-October, but it will actually take place sooner. The Duke and Duchess of Sussex have released their travel plans via Buckingham Palace. It appears they'll be heading out before the end of September.
Buckingham Palace announced the details of the 10-day southern Africa tour today, with the couple's private secretary Samantha Cohen commenting on their behalf. We've known for some time that the Sussexes will visit Malawi, Angola, and Botswana. We're now learning more about what kind of work they'll be doing there and what their goals are.
There is one important detail that hasn't been elaborated on. While we know that Archie will be joining the couple on the trip, there has been no comment as to whether or not he'll attend any of the couple's planned events.
Earlier this year, some wild rumors spread saying that Prince Harry and Meghan Markle would move to Africa following the birth of their son. While that isn't happening, the couple will be visiting southern Africa on their first royal tour as a family.
Harry and Meghan's trip to Africa was first announced in late June. "The Duke and Duchess are really 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," the announcement said. "This will be their first official tour as a family!"
At the beginning of this month, Harry expressed his excitement for the trip through a post to the Sussex Royal Instagram account. "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," Harry wrote.
"Our team has helped create a meaningful programme that we’re so excited to share with you," he continued. "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."
Now we're learning more about the details of this trip. Buckingham Palace released new information outlining the Duke and Duchess of Sussex's itinerary for the 10-day trip, which will begin on September 23.
Harry, Meghan, and Archie will arrive in Cape Town, South Africa, on September 23. While Archie stays with his nanny, Harry and Meghan will head to a township to visit. There, the Duke and Duchess of Sussex will watch a number of workshops aimed at empowering and educating children and young women.
After that, the couple will visit the District Six Museum. Later, they'll participate in a community cooking activity with former residents of District Six before spending two more days in Cape Town.
On the second day, the couple will learn about the work of Waves for Change, where local surf mentors provide mental health services to young people. They'll also visit with the Lunchbox Fund, one of the organizations they asked for donations to in lieu of gifts when Archie was born.
On the third day, Harry and Meghan will meet with Archbishop Desmond Tutu and Mrs. Tutu at their legacy foundation. Afterward, Harry will travel to Botswana while Meghan meets with female entrepreneurs in technology at the Woodstock Exchange.
Harry will visit his charity, Sentebale, and visit de-mining organizations while in Angola. Meghan will remain in Cape Town and attend a Women in Public Service breakfast at the High Commission.
On the fifth day of the trip, Harry will also visit the former minefield in Huambo where the late Princess Diana was famously photographed. He'll also visit the Huambo Orthopaedic Centre, which is being renamed in her honor.
Harry will spend days six, seven, and eight of the trip in Malawi, visiting with President Peter Mutharika. He'll also visit Liwonde National Park Headquarters to learn about anti-poaching operations. Mauwa Health Centre, Pharmacy in a Box, and the Youth Reproductive Health Outreach program are also planned stops.
On the ninth day, Meghan will travel to Johannesburg for a roundtable discussion with the Association of Commonwealth Universities. Harry will then meet her in Johannesburg, where they'll spend the final day of the tour together.
As for Archie, a royal source explained, "They hope to include Archie at some point in the program. It’s just difficult to schedule because he’s five months old." For comparison, William and Kate took Prince George on his first royal tour at 9 months, where he appeared publicly only twice.
