The Duke and Duchess of Sussex have landed in South Africa with an ‘extra special passenger’ on board, as baby Archie joins them for their first official tour as a family.
Harry and Meghan arrived 40 minutes late on their overnight British Airways flight from London this morning.
The couple yesterday said they ‘can’t wait’ to introduce their four-month-old son to Africa before they landed in Cape Town this morning.
They said the 10-day tour is likely to be ‘more lively’ then usual with baby Archie joining them for the first time.
The Sussexes are set to undertake their first official tour as a family of three, starting and ending their trip with engagements in impoverished townships in Cape Town and Johannesburg.
In between Harry will visit Botswana, Angola and Malawi, leaving his wife and young son in Cape Town for five days as the small propeller plane he will be travelling isn’t child friendly. The family will be reunited in Johannesburg for the last leg on their trip.
Harry (left) and Megan (centre) are pictured arriving in Cape Town this morning with baby their son Archie
Prince Harry is said to be excited at the prospect of introducing son Archie to Africa during their ten-day visit
Speaking in advance of the tour last night, a Buckingham Palace spokeswoman said: ‘Their Royal Highnesses are very much looking forward to their arrival in Africa tomorrow on their first official tour as a family.
‘As you well know Africa holds a very special place in the Duke’s heart and he is looking forward to sharing South Africa with the duchess and their son.
‘It is a really busy programme, four countries in ten days, and we have an extra special small passenger to make things more lively. ‘
It is still not yet known, however, whether the public or media will get to see little Archie, seventh in line to the throne, in person.
‘We are still not in a position to confirm anything,’ a spokeswoman said.
The couple are flying in on a commercial flight from the UK but have decided not to arrange any kind of official arrival.
Instead they intend to slip through a VIP exit and head to to their home for the week — believed to be the High Commissioner’s residence in the city – to settle him down with his nanny before heading off on their first engagement.
Due to an increase in crime and recent demonstrations against appalling levels of violence against women, the heightened security situation in South Africa currently means that many of the couple’s engagements cannot be announced in advance.
But as well as venturing into a township later today, it can be confirmed that they will visit District Six, once home to large swathes of the Cape Malay population who were forcibly removed under the apartheid regime.
It is understood that Meghan and Harry will be attending a cookery event where it is anticipated that the Duchess will swap the charity cookbook she brought out with the women of The Hubb Community Kitchen to benefit those affected by the Grenfell Tower tragedy for some local recipes.
And later in the week Meghan will attend an event with a local group which helps mothers living with HIV where she is expected to bring some of Archie’s hand-me downs to pass on to those in need, as well as colouring books and pens.
A source said: ‘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 hand on to South African children and families most in need.
‘She’ll take a selection of clothes, books and pens to themothers2mothers charity which help families with HIV.’
As revealed by the Mail on Saturday, a significant number of their engagements will focus on the issue of gender-based violence, which is dominating the South African national agenda.
The country’s President, Cyril Ramaphosa, has said publicly that it one of the most dangerous places in the world for women to live in, which a huge upsurge in violence directed at females.
Speaking in advance of the tour last night, a Buckingham Palace spokeswoman said: ‘Their Royal Highnesses are very much looking forward to their arrival in Africa tomorrow on their first official tour as a family.
‘As you well know Africa holds a very special place in the Duke’s heart and he is looking forward to sharing South Africa with the duchess and their son.
Harry, Meghan and Archie will land in Cape Town today for their first official trip as a family of three
‘It is a really busy programme, four countries in ten days, and we have an extra special small passenger to make things more lively. ‘
It is still not yet known, however, whether the public or media will get to see little Archie, seventh in line to the throne, in person.
‘We are still not in a position to confirm anything,’ a spokeswoman said.
The couple are flying in on a commercial flight from the UK but have decided not to arrange any kind of official arrival.
Instead they intend to slip through a VIP exit and head to to their home for the week — believed to be the High Commissioner’s residence in the city – to settle him down with his nanny before heading off on their first engagement.
Due to an increase in crime and recent demonstrations against appalling levels of violence against women, the heightened security situation in South Africa currently means that many of the couple’s engagements cannot be announced in advance.
But as well as venturing into a township later today, it can be confirmed that they will visit District Six, once home to large swathes of the Cape Malay population who were forcibly removed under the apartheid regime.
It is understood that Meghan and Harry will be attending a cookery event where it is anticipated that the Duchess will swap the charity cookbook she brought out with the women of The Hubb Community Kitchen to benefit those affected by the Grenfell Tower tragedy for some local recipes.
And later in the week Meghan will attend an event with a local group which helps mothers living with HIV where she is expected to bring some of Archie’s hand-me downs to pass on to those in need, as well as colouring books and pens.
A source said: ‘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 hand on to South African children and families most in need.
‘She’ll take a selection of clothes, books and pens to themothers2mothers charity which help families with HIV.’
As revealed by the Mail on Saturday, a significant number of their engagements will focus on the issue of gender-based violence, which is dominating the South African national agenda.
The country’s President, Cyril Ramaphosa, has said publicly that it one of the most dangerous places in the world for women to live in, which a huge upsurge in violence directed at females.