Harry and Meghan plan ‘to take Baby Sussex on royal tour of Africa’ in the autumn

With Baby Sussex due to be born any day now, it appears Prince Harry and Meghan Markle are already planning an overseas adventure for the new royal.

The Duke and Duchess of Sussex are set to take their new baby on a tour of Africa in the autumn,  making him or her one of the youngest royals to go on an official tour.  

‘They hope to take the baby with them but will make a decision nearer the time. Potentially, Meghan and the baby could so some, if not all, of the trip’, a royal source told the Times.

It would see the new baby following in the footsteps of their father, who made his first appearance on a royal tour in Venice in 1985 alongside his mother, the late Princess Diana, Prince Charles and Prince William.  

 

The Duke and Duchess of Sussex are set to take their new baby on a two-week tour of Africa in the autumn, making him or her one of the youngest royals to ever go on an official tour, a royal source has claimed (pictured, Meghan and Harry in Morocco in February) 

Harry (second left) was just six and a half months in April 1985 when he travelled to Venice with his mother Princess Diana (left), father Prince Charles (right) and brother Prince William, then two (second right)

Harry (second left) was just six and a half months in April 1985 when he travelled to Venice with his mother Princess Diana (left), father Prince Charles (right) and brother Prince William, then two (second right)

It comes amid reports the royal couple postponed their trip to the US and Canada in autumn amid anxiety the baby is too young to travel.  

‘As it stands, the Duchess of Sussex won’t be going away on an official overseas tour this year,’ a source told Vanity Fair. 

‘That’s the word out of the Palace, although things might change. Right now we have been told that there won’t be any overseas travel before the end of the year because Baby Sussex will be too young.’ 

However, a visit to Africa may be more likely than a return to Meghan’s native US after reports the Sussexes  may move to the continent ‘for a three-year assignment combining Commonwealth and charity work’ when the baby comes. 

A visit to Africa may be more likely than a return to Meghan's native US after reports the Sussexes may move to the continent 'for a three-year assignment combining Commonwealth and charity work' when the baby comes. Pictured: Meghan in Rwanda in 2017

A visit to Africa may be more likely than a return to Meghan’s native US after reports the Sussexes may move to the continent ‘for a three-year assignment combining Commonwealth and charity work’ when the baby comes. Pictured: Meghan in Rwanda in 2017

Reports of Harry, 34,  and Meghan’s, 37,  ‘Out of Africa’ project first surfaced in The Sunday Times, which quoted a source as saying that courtiers had drawn up plans to send them abroad ‘for two to three years.’  

It’s believed the trip would be a sabbatical instead of a long-term fixture and would combine their jobs as Commonwealth ambassadors with charity work and a role promoting Britain.

It was also suggested the proposal would offer them a break from the reported rift between Harry and his brother William, while ‘harnessing’ the Sussexes’ global appeal.   

Harry and Meghan both have close ties to Africa, visiting the continent separately and together on multiple occasions. Pictured: Harry in Zambia last year

Harry and Meghan both have close ties to Africa, visiting the continent separately and together on multiple occasions. Pictured: Harry in Zambia last year 

Prince Charles and Princess Diana broke with protocol by taking a nine-month-old Prince William to New Zealand in 1983

William and Kate took Prince George to New Zealand and Australia in 2014

Baby Sussex will be among the youngest royals to embark on international travel. Traditionally, young children have not been taken abroad on official tours but Prince Charles and Princess Diana (pictured left) broke with protocol by taking a nine-month-old Prince William (left) to New Zealand in 1983. William and Kate took Prince George (right) to New Zealand and Australia in 2014

Sources claimed the Sussexes’ advisers are working on Harry and Meghan’s ‘bespoke’ African role with the help of Sir David Manning, a former ambassador to the US, and Lord Geidt, the Queen’s former private secretary who chairs the Queen’s Commonwealth Trust.

Botswana – which Harry has previously described as his ‘second home’ – is one of the countries that has been suggested, as well as Malawi and South Africa. 

Not only is Harry’s charity Sentebale based in Botswana and Lesotho, but he and Meghan visited the country just a few weeks after it was announced they were dating in 2016.    

The Sussexes' advisers are working on Harry and Meghan's 'bespoke' African role with the help of Sir David Manning, a former ambassador to the US, and Lord Geidt, the Queen's former private secretary who chairs the Queen's Commonwealth Trust (pictured in Morocco in February)

The Sussexes’ advisers are working on Harry and Meghan’s ‘bespoke’ African role with the help of Sir David Manning, a former ambassador to the US, and Lord Geidt, the Queen’s former private secretary who chairs the Queen’s Commonwealth Trust (pictured in Morocco in February)

Harry took Meghan to his favourite luxury camp, Meno a Kwena in Botswana, to celebrate Meghan’s 36th birthday and mark their first year together. 

They recently gave the public a unique glimpse into their 2017 trip, sharing stunning never-before-seen photos on their new Instagram account. 

One of the moving shots shows the royal couple tending to a large bull elephant in the bush, equipping him with a satellite collar.

Meghan and Harry are said to have a close connection to Africa, and have travelled together and separately to the continent, picture: Meghan in Rwanda in 2017

Meghan and Harry are said to have a close connection to Africa, and have travelled together and separately to the continent, picture: Meghan in Rwanda in 2017

It is believed they fell in love on a safari in Botswana, and Meghan and Harry even returned there for the former actress' 36th birthday two years ago (pictured)

It is believed they fell in love on a safari in Botswana, and Meghan and Harry even returned there for the former actress’ 36th birthday two years ago (pictured)

Their Royal Highnesses were assisting Dr. Mike Chase of Elephants Without Borders, who is working to protect elephant populations by tracking their movements.  

Harry was rumoured to have proposed in Botswana, and Meghan’s engagement ring includes a center diamond from the country, which is cushioned by two smaller diamonds from Princess Diana’s collection.   

On Meghan’s first ever wildlife safari, the couple watched the sunset behind a spectacular vista of acacia thorn trees and green-backed herons fishing in the river.

Although this is unlikely to be decided until next year, The Sunday Times report the role is likely to be in Africa because of the couple's ties there. Pictured: Harry in Lesotho on his gap year in 2004

Although this is unlikely to be decided until next year, The Sunday Times report the role is likely to be in Africa because of the couple’s ties there. Pictured: Harry in Lesotho on his gap year in 2004

Prince Harry also spent a gap year in Lesotho back in 2004. He once described it as his ‘second home’.

A spokesman for the royal family didn’t deny the reports and said: ‘Any future plans for The Duke and Duchess are speculative at this stage. No decisions have been taken about future roles.

‘The Duke will continue to fulfil his role as Commonwealth Youth Ambassador.’

Prince Charles and Princess Diana broke with protocol by taking their sons of royal tours before their first birthdays. Prince Harry was taken to Venice in 1985 at just six months old while Prince William flew across the world to New Zealand for a royal tour at nine months (pictured)

Prince Charles and Princess Diana broke with protocol by taking their sons of royal tours before their first birthdays. Prince Harry was taken to Venice in 1985 at just six months old while Prince William flew across the world to New Zealand for a royal tour at nine months (pictured)

The Queen was often absent from the first few years of Prince Charles and Princess Anne's lives, leaving them to be looked after by her mother while she went on a tour of the Commonwealth. It wasn't until 1953, when Charles was five and Anne was three that they were taken abroad (pictured in Gibraltar in 1954)

The Queen was often absent from the first few years of Prince Charles and Princess Anne’s lives, leaving them to be looked after by her mother while she went on a tour of the Commonwealth. It wasn’t until 1953, when Charles was five and Anne was three that they were taken abroad (pictured in Gibraltar in 1954)

If Harry does take his new son or daughter on tour, he will be following in the footsteps of his parents and brother.

Prince Charles and Princess Diana broke with protocol by taking their sons of royal tours before their first birthdays.

Prince Harry was taken to Venice in 1985 at just six months old while Prince William flew across the world to New Zealand for a royal tour at nine months. 

Baby Sussex’s first cousin, Prince George was also taken to New Zealand in 2014, at just eight months old. 

However, the Queen was often absent from the first few years of Prince Charles and Princess Anne’s lives, leaving them to be looked after by her mother while she went on a tour of the Commonwealth. It wasn’t until 1953, when Charles was five and Anne was three that they were taken abroad.

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