The Duchess of Sussex took the spotlight on the third day of their royal visit to South Africa, along with her four-month-old son Archie, who made his first official public appearance at a meeting with Archbishop Desmond Tutu in the morning.
It was notable, not just because the retired Archbishop only makes rare public appearances now, but because it was Archie Harrison Mountbatten-Windsor’s first official engagement at nearly five-months-old.
Embed from Getty ImagesDuring their visit, the Archbishop told Harry and Meghan about the work of The Desmond & Leah Tutu Legacy Foundation, which “contributes to the development of youth and leadership, facilitates discussions about social justice and common human purpose, and makes the lessons Archbishop Tutu learned and taught accessible to new generations,” according to the Foundation’s official website.
“Thank you for your concern and interest in the welfare of our people,” the Archbishop was reported as having said to Harry and Meghan according to a Foundation press release.
“It’s very heartwarming, let me tell you, very heartwarming to realise that you really, genuinely are caring people.”
Harry was reported to have replied, “We all try to make things better.”
Harry and Meghan received several gifts from the Archbishop, including a gift basket of South African goodies that celebrate “women, children and non-racialism,” according to the press release.
The Sussexes were also presented with two framed photographs of the late Diana, Princess of Wales, taken in Cape Town in 1997 while she was meeting with Nelson Mandela. The second photo is meant for the Duke of Cambridge.
The Archbishop’s daughter, Thandeka Tutu Gxash, was also in the meeting and gushed to the Sussexes about little Archie, saying that “He’s going to be a ladies’ man.”
Meghan said that Archie was an old soul, and Harry commented that he was already used to the cameras around him.
After their visit, Harry and Meghan posted two thank yous to Archbishop Desmond Tutu on their official Instagram, saying in one that “The Archbishop, a globally respected figure in anti-apartheid movement, is one of the world’s great champions of equality, and has spent his life tirelessly battling injustice,” and in the other, a photo of Archie and the Archbishop, “Thank you Archbishop Tutu for your incredibly warm hospitality, Archie loved meeting you!”
Following their meeting with Tutu, Harry departed for Botswana to begin the second leg of his tour, while Meghan stayed in South Africa and returned to the High Commissioner’s residence with Archie.
Later Wednesday afternoon, Meghan conducted her first solo engagements of the tour. Firstly, she hosted a forum for female entrepreneurs, and then she visited mothers2mothers, a charity that helps HIV positive women find work.
At the Woodstock Exchange, Meghan met with female entrepreneurs and tech investors to “highlight the benefits of networking between aspiring female entrepreneurs and successful female role models,” per the Buckingham Palace press release.
Talking to the women at the forum, Meghan said that it’s been an exciting change transitioning to a working mother. “We’re only at five months right now…being a working mom and to be travelling as well with a baby, it’s a lot, but my goodness, it’s all so exciting.”
Embed from Getty ImagesOne of the attendees, Lara Rosmarin, said to the Daily Mail after the forum that “I think the Duchess really understood the pressures on working women which was so appreciated.
“She is a working mother herself and mixing that in with all the travelling and projects she has, it’s inspiring for other women and young people to see that she is making such a success out of her life and helping others with her charity endeavours.”
In an Instagram post, Meghan’s engagement at the Woodstock Exchange was summed up as “Ladies Who Launch” – a play on the ladies who lunch phrase – and described the engagement as inspirational for Meghan because she was joined by female entrepreneurs “who shared their passion for ideas, technology and making a positive social impact.
“Each of the women shared amazing stories of how they started in business, the journey they’ve been on – successes and struggles – but also their ambitions for the future.
“By taking small actions we can make a big difference. Thank you to the inspiring women The Duchess met today, who are setting this example every day through their dedication and determination.”
Afterwards, Meghan paid a visit to mothers2mothers, a charity that helps train and employ women living with HIV to work as community health workers.
Meghan met with three m2m “Mentor Mothers” who told her how the charity works and has “reached over 11 million women and children under two with life-changing health services and education across the African continent,” per the mothers2mothers press release. She also met with mothers and their babies to talk about their experiences.
“The work that’s being done here is really special,” Meghan said. “I see how having that shared experience creates a much stronger result.”
Embed from Getty ImagesMeghan also brought with her some of the baby clothes that Archie had outgrown, as well as those of her friends’ children, including an Invictus Games onesie.
“It’s so important to be able to share with other families,” Meghan said. “You’re all in this together and with each other and so we just wanted to share something from our home to each of yours.”
On Thursday, Harry will undertake engagements in Botswana and Angola, focusing on the environment, Sentebale, and the Queen’s Commonwealth Canopy, and the HALO Trust.
In South Africa, Meghan will attend a Women in Public Servic breakfast.
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