The Duke of Sussex spent the day in Botswana as he began the second leg of his royal visit to Africa, while the Duchess stayed in South Africa for a private engagement.
Harry’s day began at the Chobe Forest Tree Reserve, where he helped plant trees with schoolchildren to “raise awareness of the fragility of these vital ecosystems,” per the Buckingham Palace press release.
Harry helped schoolchildren plant a baobab, and was joined by the director of Elephants Without Borders.
Embed from Getty ImagesWhile there, he spoke to reporters and said he felt a profound connection to Botswana, as the country had helped him cope following his mother’s death in 1997.
“Fifteen years I’ve been coming here, it’s a sense of escapism, a real sense of purpose. I have some of my closest friends here and I came here in 1997 or 1998 straight after my mum died, so it was a nice place to get away from it all.
“But now I feel deeply connected to this place and to Africa.”
He also spoke about the climate crisis, saying that “We’re all in the middle of it.
“I don’t think there’s anyone who is not involved in conservation somehow, or shouldn’t be involved in conservation somehow. This last week led by Greta [Thunberg] – the world’s children are striking. It’s an emergency, it’s a race against time which we are losing.”
Harry then paid a visit to a project supported by Sentebale, the charity he helped found, that focuses on “improving the mental health of young people affected by HIV.”
Of his visit, Sentebale’s Chief Executive, Richard Miller, said that “Sentebale is proud of the impact we have already made in the fight against HIV in the three years since we have been established in Botswana. We have set up clubs in some of the most remote areas and have been advocating nationally. We need more support to build on this base and today’s visit of The Duke of Sussex is a real boost to our efforts and gives us confidence and energy to go forward.”
Embed from Getty ImagesHarry met with some of the youth advocates who work with Sentebale and the Let Youth Lead advocates and discussed topics including the last roundtable discussion they’d help with him in 2017, and ways they’re combatting the stigma of HIV, and the ways Sentebale is supporting children living with HIV through its programming.
Harry then learned more about the Radio Positive show that Sentebale runs, and privately met with nine youngsters who benefit from Sentebale’s services, and health care workers who help support the camp.
For his final engagement in Botswana, Harry visited the Chobe National Park to dedicate a part of the forest there to the Queen’s Commonwealth Canopy, in an area close to the borders of Namibia, Zambia, and Zimbabwe, to unify the borders and “to facilitate the passage of wildlife.”
The Queen’s Commonwealth Canopy is a conservation effort to unite the 53 nations of the Commonwealth and to honour The Queen’s legacy by having all member nations dedicate a portion of forest to the Canopy.
Harry then departed for Angola to begin the third leg of his tour, and spent Thursday night camped out at the HALO Trust de-mining camp.
Meghan stayed behind in South Africa for a private engagement at the High Commissioner’s residence. The “Women in Public Service” breakfast brought together “women [who] have played an important role in South Africa’s socio-economic and political development” including parliament, government, education and healthcare sectors.
