Prince Harry has revealed that he considered Africa as his “lifeline” and the place where he found a “soulmate” in his wife Meghan Markle.
Speaking at a special address to the United Nations, the duke shared his love for the continent and the bond he feels with both his wife and his late mother Princess Diana when he visits Africa.
He also praised the work and legacy of Nelson Mandela.
Prince Harry stated that he feels closest to his mother when he visits Africa, and it is where he knew he was destined to be with Meghan.
The prince first visited Africa when he was just 13 years old and shared that he has always found hope on the continent.
He said that he has also found peace and healing time and time again since then.
Prince Harry appeared to have referred to one of his and Meghan’s first dates when they traveled to Botswana together in summer 2016.
The couple camped out under the stars for five days, which he described as fantastic and crucial to ensure that they had a chance to know each other.
Prince Harry and Meghan returned to Botswana in 2017, and the prince later proposed to his wife with a ring that included a diamond from the country, as well as diamonds from his mother’s personal collection.
The couple also traveled to southern Africa in 2019 for a royal tour, visiting Malawi, Angola, South Africa, and Botswana, and introduced their then-four-month-old son Archie to late Archbishop Desmond Tutu, who gifted Prince Harry a photo of his mother and Mandela.
The late Princess Diana was celebrated for her charitable work and famously advocated against landmines in Bosnia and Angola.
Since her death, Prince Harry has followed in his mother’s footsteps and even recreated her famous walk through a landmine during his and Meghan’s tour in 2019.
During his speech, Prince Harry also revealed he has a photo of his mother and Mandela on his wall and in his heart every day.
Prince Harry’s speech was delivered on Nelson Mandela Day, which is celebrated on 18th July every year and marks the birth of the South African anti-apartheid revolutionary.
Mandela was imprisoned for 27 years before becoming the country’s first black president in 1994.
In his speech, Prince Harry described Mandela as one of the world’s “great leaders” and praised him for his work towards peace, democracy, and human rights.
Prince Harry’s speech also touched upon the impact of COVID-19 and the need for global cooperation to ensure that no one is left behind.
He stated that the pandemic has highlighted how interconnected the world is and that we must work together to recover.
The prince finished his address by calling on people to follow in Mandela’s footsteps and be the change they wish to see in the world.
Prince Harry’s love for Africa and his connection to his mother and wife have been well-documented over the years.
He previously described Africa as the place where he feels “more like himself than anywhere else in the world”.
The prince and Meghan also chose to have their engagement photos taken in the grounds of Kensington Palace with a backdrop of white roses, which were Princess Diana’s favorite flowers.
