The Duke and Duchess of Sussex Prince Harry, his wife Meghan and their son Archie are reported in South Africa to kick off their first royal tour as a family. The trip will see Harry heading off alone to Botswana, Angola and Malawi before being reunited with Meghan and their son.
He will travel to Angola on Friday in honour of his late mother Diana, Princess of Wales, who campaigned for landmines to be outlawed during a 1997 visit to the country.
Three days later, he travels to Malawi to pay tribute to a British soldier killed by an elephant during anti-poaching operations, in a bid to promote efforts to protect endangered animals. Lastly, Botswana for a working visit.
The Royal family arrived by a commercial flight which landed at Cape Town International Airport.
The Sussexes landed almost 40 minutes late after their British Airways flight was delayed leaving the UK.
Harry and Meghan disembarked privately and will make their first appearance in Cape Town this afternoon.
Archie, who was born in May, is the youngest royal to take part in an official overseas visit. Although he is not listed in the schedule, the couple hopes to publicly introduce him to South Africa during the visit.
The UK evening standard, quoting an unnamed Palace source, said the couple were “very much looking forward” to the trip, adding: “Africa holds a very special place in the duke’s heart and he’s looking forward to sharing South Africa with the duchess and their son.”
They added: “And obviously we have an extra special small passenger to make things a little more lively.”
The couple were due to arrive in the country laden with gifts for South Africa’s children hand me downs from the royal baby.
Prior to their arrival in the country, the source explained: “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 bring a number of his presents to hand on to South African children and families most in need.
“She’ll take a selection of clothes, books and pens to the mothers2mothers charity which helps families with HIV.”
The charity’s “mentor mothers” work in local communities and at understaffed health facilities to ensure women and their families get the support they need.
The organisation works in eight nations across Africa including Uganda, Malawi and South Africa.
The royals have a history of taking their children with them overseas for working visits on behalf of the British Government.
The Sussexes itinerary has been drawn up with the help of Foreign and Commonwealth Office officials, focusing on the couple’s areas of interest including conservation, young people and women’s empowerment.
The varied schedule will also see them meet veteran anti-apartheid campaigner Archbishop Desmond Tutu.
The British High Commissioner to South Africa Nigel Casey said: “Visits like this play an important part in celebrating, sustaining and renewing what is a dynamic, modern relationship between the UK and South Africa.”
“It’s also an opportunity to shine a spotlight on some issues close to the hearts of the duke and duchess and of real importance to the South Africans,” he said.
“It will be a chance to underline the strength and continuity of our royal family’s ties to South Africa. And in particular to recall the warm and special relationship between her majesty the Queen and the late President Mandela.”
Meghan, who is making her first visit to South Africa, and Harry both admire South Africa’s former president Nelson Mandela and have already met members of his family in the UK.
Towards the end of their visit they will be introduced to the statesman’s widow Graca Machel, who met the duke when he visited South Africa in 2015, and have an audience with President Cyril Ramaphosa and his wife Tshepo Motsepe.
A post about the tour on the royal couple’s official Instagram account said: “The duke is especially proud to continue the legacy left by his mother with her work in Angola as he joins Halo Trust again in an effort to rid the world of landmines.”
A Buckingham Palace spokeswoman said: “The Duke of Sussex’s love for Africa is well known; he first visited the continent at the age of 13 and more than two decades later, the people, culture, wildlife and resilient communities continue to inspire and motivate him every day.”
Before the trip, the duke issued a statement saying: ”Our team has helped create a meaningful programme that we’re so excited to share with you.
“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.”