Meghan Markle and Prince Harry Kick Off Africa Tour With a Dance

The Duchess of Sussex also delivered powerful remarks on being a "woman of color."

By Samantha Schnurr Sep 23, 2019 2:22 PMTags
Watch: Meghan Markle & Prince Harry Kick Off Their Africa Tour

Let the royal tour begin!

For the first time as a family of three, Prince Harry and Meghan Markle have officially embarked on their scheduled 10-day tour of Africa with their newborn son, Archie Harrison, in tow. The Duke and Duchess of Sussex arrived at Cape Town International Airport on Monday morning via a delayed commercial British Airways flight. As is the case with bustling royal tours, it wasn't long before the couple was off to their first engagement of the day while their infant son remained in the care of a nanny.

The husband and wife headed to Nyanga township, where they were greeted by throngs of locals and schoolchildren. In addition to sweetly meeting with youngsters, the two were also photographed dancing with performers in traditional costume. Judging by the big smile on the new mom's face, the trip was off to a very happy start. 

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Donning a sold-out Malawi-made black and white wrap dress by Mayamiko, black wedged wrap espadrilles and a beaded bracelet that red "JUSTICE," the duchess addressed the crowd amid recent violence against women.  

Chris Jackson/Getty Images

"We have just spent some time seeing all the incredible work that the Justice Desk does and of course all of you amazing women and the men who are here helping you, Mbokodo, you are incredible and what you're doing is so powerful, because you're all powerful. The work that's being done here is to keep women and children safer, which is needed now more than ever. This is an issue which has been at the forefront of people's minds here in South Africa, and of course across the globe, particularly over this past month," she told the crowd, which included young members of a local empowerment program and project of the Justice Desk.

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"Please know that my husband and I have been closely following what you've been experiencing here, as best as we can from afar. But now that we are with you, we are eager to learn and see first-hand the work that you're doing, the vital work that you're doing, and that everything that is being done on the ground is making the great change that you not only need but that you deserve."

She also pointed out "the rights of women and girls is something that's very close to my heart, and a cause I have spent the majority of my life advocating for, because I know that when women are empowered, the entire community flourishes."

Chris Jackson/Getty Images

Markle praised the women and shared empowering words, telling them, "Now I know it's not easy and I know it must feel insurmountable at times, but your commitment to what is right gives all of us hope, especially your brothers and sisters here in your community who need you to continue to shine your light brightly. Your commitment is inspiring, it is energizing and it is extraordinary. You must keep going, you must know that what you're doing not only matters, it is vital because you are vital."

As she concluded her remarks, the royal also ended on a personal note. "May I just say that while I am here with my husband as a member of the royal family, I want you to know that for me I am here with you as a mother, as a wife, as a woman, as a woman of color and as your sister. I am here with you and I am here for you and I thank you so much for showing my husband and I the spirit of Ubuntu and I look forward to our time over the next few days together."