Will Prince Harry’s PR pal lead his mission to Namibia?

Prince Harry is well known for his enduring commitment to Africa and, in particular, Lesotho, where he founded his Sentebale charity in honour of his mother Princess Diana.

Now Harry wants to turn the spotlight on Namibia, another Commonwealth country, and one which is also special to his wife Meghan.

Sources tell me that Harry had hoped to squeeze in a secret visit to Namibia ahead of the couple’s ten-day tour of Africa, which starts tomorrow, but with a strict itinerary set by Foreign Office officials, he was told it was not possible.

However, Harry has been working closely with the Namibians on the Queen’s Commonwealth Canopy project, an initiative set up in 2015 to preserve forests across all 53 Commonwealth nations.

Prince Harry is well known for his enduring commitment to Africa and, in particular, Lesotho, where he founded his Sentebale charity in honour of his mother Princess Diana. (Above, Harry in Lesotho in 2006)

Now Harry wants to turn the spotlight on Namibia, another Commonwealth country, and one which is also special to his wife Meghan. (The couple, above, in Rome on Friday)

Now Harry wants to turn the spotlight on Namibia, another Commonwealth country, and one which is also special to his wife Meghan. (The couple, above, in Rome on Friday)

Sources tell me that Harry had hoped to squeeze in a secret visit to Namibia ahead of the couple’s ten-day tour of Africa, which starts tomorrow, but with a strict itinerary set by Foreign Office officials, he was told it was not possible. (Pictured, Harry in Namibia in 2008)

Sources tell me that Harry had hoped to squeeze in a secret visit to Namibia ahead of the couple’s ten-day tour of Africa, which starts tomorrow, but with a strict itinerary set by Foreign Office officials, he was told it was not possible. (Pictured, Harry in Namibia in 2008)

Namibia’s arm of the network, the Forest Conservation Revegetation Project, seeks to conserve the country’s land, cultures and wildlife, and could well draw in Harry for an official visit with Meghan next year.

The couple reportedly stayed at a £500-a-night lodge in Namibia as part of their honeymoon.

A friend of the couple told me last week that Prince Harry’s PR pal Charles Vivian is said to be planning a visit to the country and could get involved in any future project.

Lord Vivian already spends several months a year in southern Africa due to his role at Tavistock PR.

He is firm friends with the Prince and some say he was invited to baby Archie’s christening in July, although he dismissed the rumour when we spoke last week. He added: ‘I have been in touch with Harry in recent months, but not about Africa. Yes, I am one of his friends.’

Harry would be wise to work with him… with his PR expertise, he may have some words of advice about the gaffes the Duke and Duchess have been prone to lately.

A friend of the couple told me last week that Prince Harry’s PR pal Charles Vivian is said to be planning a visit to the country and could get involved in any future project

A friend of the couple told me last week that Prince Harry’s PR pal Charles Vivian is said to be planning a visit to the country and could get involved in any future project

Diana, Princess of Wales, talks to an amputee at an orthopaedic workshop near Luanda, Angola during a visit in 1997, in an effort to create awareness about landmines

Diana, Princess of Wales, talks to an amputee at an orthopaedic workshop near Luanda, Angola during a visit in 1997, in an effort to create awareness about landmines

He’s the leftiest of luvvies, but Wolf Hall star Mark Rylance has formed a firm friendship with the Prince of Wales, calling him a better pal than some of his old buddies. 

‘Prince Charles is much more considerate and interested in me than most of my real friends,’ Sir Mark quipped at Lord Burghley 500 Foundation launch. 

‘He always asks me the right questions.’ Proof that Charles’s charm can convert anyone to the Royal cause…

I thought I was just wasting time by fiddling about on my phone, but no. According to jazz star Jamie Cullum, I’m creating a ‘temple of interest’

I thought I was just wasting time by fiddling about on my phone, but no. According to jazz star Jamie Cullum, I’m creating a ‘temple of interest’

Stars spouting nonsense 

I thought I was just wasting time by fiddling about on my phone, but no. 

According to jazz star Jamie Cullum, I’m creating a ‘temple of interest’. 

Jamie says instead of silly apps, his phone is full of ‘podcasts, books, audiobooks and websites that I feel enrich me. 

‘I’m trying to take these things that make us feel disconnected and use them to satisfy my curiosity.’ 

No chance of a crafty game of Angry Birds, then? 

Visitors to the Duke of Northumberland’s pile Alnwick Castle – which doubled as Hogwarts in the Harry Potter films – have been warned to beware of ghostly nuns who love watching men undress. 

There are now warning signs in the bedrooms at the adjacent Cookie Jar hotel – once a convent – after complaints from guests who have seen the ghosts of nuns watching their husbands take off their trousers. 

The signs read: ‘To avoid divine intervention, may we ask that you cover up your privates. The former sisters have a habit of looking down on you.’

It sounds as if guests could do with Harry’s invisibility cloak at bedtime…

Read more at DailyMail.co.uk