The Duke of Sussex, who visited South Africa, Botswana, Angola and Malawi, stressed the importance of his relationship with the continent.
Prince Harry and his wife, Meghan, wrapped up their 10-day high-profile tour of Africa on Wednesday, Oct. 2, giving a personal tribute to Africa and Africa. " strength " and "Incredible optimism" of its population.
In South Africa, Botswana, Angola and Malawi, the Duke of Sussex has embraced in ten days a slew of good works dear to his heart, from the fight against feminicides to the protection of nature, through the eradication of antipersonnel mines and the fight against AIDS. He concluded his tour in Johannesburg, at the bedside of South African youth employment, of which more than half (57%) are unemployed.
In spite of this assessment, the prince, sixth in the order of succession to the throne of England, was decidedly optimistic. "But here I've seen strength, resilience, hope and empathy"he greeted after visiting with his wife a training center in the township Tembisa, a suburb of South Africa's largest city.
In a more personal tone, Harry emphasized the importance of his relationship with Africa, which he traced back to the death of his mother, Diana, in 1997 when he was 12 years old. "Since I came, still young boy, the first time on this continent to try to overcome something that I can not describe, Africa has welcomed me in a way that I will never forget"he said. "Every time I come here, I know I will not be alone"insisted the duke, promising himself to pass on to his son, Archie, 4 months old (and who made his first official release on this African tour), what he "Learned here".
"Generous, humble and optimistic"
Last week, during the Angolan stage of his visit, the prince honored his mother's fight against the mines, while walking in a street where the Princess of Wales had visited shortly before her accidental death in Paris. Twenty-two years ago.
"Why do so many people who go to Africa feel that they have Africa in their skin and soul? "he asked himself. "Last night I came back from my third trip to the fourth poorest country in the world, Malawi. Well, despite the extreme adversity and the many difficulties, people are generous, strong, humble and incredibly optimistic. "
His wife, the American Métis actress Meghan Markle, also thanked her guests for a long time. "As different as our lives may seem, Africans, you have welcomed us as members of your community, our shared community, did she say. You have given us so much inspiration and so much hope. "
The couple concluded their visit with meetings with the widow of anti-apartheid hero Nelson Mandela, Graça Machel, and South African President Cyril Ramaphosa. Harry and Meghan had to return in the evening to the United Kingdom, where the prince has just filed a complaint against a tabloid press title, the Mail on Sunday, that he accuses of harassing his wife, like his mother more than twenty years ago. He did not say a word about it on African soil.
