MEGHAN & HARRY’S ROYAL TOUR
It’s been a whirlwind trip for the Duke and Duchess of Sussex — and for their scenestealing little one, baby Archie
Making the queen proud! The Sussexes’ first official work trip to Africa — with baby Archie too — has been a life-changing experience.
Princess Diana would be proud. On Sept. 25, during a visit to the Mothers2Mothers charity in Cape Town, South Africa, Meghan Markle got up from her seat and plunked down on the floor, where play mats and toys were spread out before her. “I can’t be the only one down here!” she said with a laugh as she encouraged the moms in attendance to join her with their little ones. “It was spontaneous,” says an insider of the gesture. “She wanted to show that, despite being a duchess, she doesn’t need special treatment — she wanted everyone to feel relaxed around her.” Well, mission accomplished: “The parents at the event were blown away by Meghan’s kindness,” says the source. “They didn’t expect her to be so engaging and down-to-earth.”
This was one of many successful stops for Meghan, Prince Harry and their 5-month-old son, Archie — who’d made his royal-engagement debut earlier that morning — on their African tour. The 10-day trip was jam-packed with engagements, and gave the Duke and Duchess of Sussex a chance to highlight the causes closest to their hearts, and to honor Harry’s late mother, who worked tirelessly to bring awareness to issues affecting Africa. While Meghan, 38, and Archie — as well as their nanny — remained in South Africa for the duration, Harry, 35, jetted off to Botswana, Angola and Malawi for some solo
work (during his visit to a college to promote education for girls in Malawi on Sept. 29, Meghan Skyped in while Archie napped!). “Meghan and Harry’s trip to Africa was better than they could’ve ever imagined,” says the insider. “They’re totally overwhelmed by the warm welcome they received.”
HIS ROYAL CUTENESS
One major highlight was bringing Archie to meet anti-apartheid
activist and Nobel Peace Prize winner Archbishop Desmond Tutu. The smiling tot, dressed adorably in striped H&M overalls (they sold out immediately), was a natural during his first official appearance. “He stole the show,” says the insider. “Some babies would feel overwhelmed being surrounded by unfamiliar faces, but Archie was loving all the attention!”
As Meghan happily held her
first-born in her lap during the
meeting, Harry boasted that his son was already trying to stand on his own. “He’s a very strong baby,” says the royal source. “He can even sit up for a few seconds.”
Having Archie there was extra special for Harry — his mother, Diana, had worked hard to pass down her strong sense of philanthropy to Harry and his brother, Prince William, before her tragic death in 1997. Now he and Meghan are hoping to do the same with Archie. Harry also says he found solace in Africa after losing his mother. “It’s been an extremely emotional journey for Harry,” says the insider of the new dad, who walked through a minefield in Angola on Sept. 27, like his mother did more than 20 years before. “Having the opportunity to continue his mom’s work there is extremely meaningful,” says the source. “It’s his way of paying tribute to Diana.”
MEGHAN 2.O
The trip has given the duchess a chance to showcase her humanitarian side. Since entering the royal
fray, the former Suits actress has been under fire in the press for re
portedly feuding with sister-in-law Kate Middleton and, most recently, for her and Harry’s use of private jets. “We’re seeing a more compassionate, maternal Meghan,” says the source.
While Harry traveled, she attended events focusing on female empowerment. On Sept. 26, she secretly paid respects to a teenage girl who’d been raped and brutally murdered at a post office; and on Oct. 1, she helped raise awareness of sexual violence in Johannesburg. At one event, the duchess spoke directly to the women in the audience, telling them: “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 of color and as your sister.” Her efforts have been well-received. “This is the real Meghan,” says the source. “It’s not an act. And while she’ll never replace Diana, she’s determined to follow in her footsteps.”
It’s been a magical adventure for the royal family — in fact, even the queen is thrilled, the insider says. “She’s seeing a more mature, responsible side of Harry, and she’s really impressed with how Meghan’s upped her game.”
It’s a trip they won’t soon forget. “It’s brought Harry and Meghan even closer,” says the insider. “They’re calling it a life-changing experience.”