What is the truth in claims Harry & Meghan are ‘moving to Africa’?

If you paid any attention to the newspaper front pages over the Easter weekend, you’ll have noticed the Queen’s 93rd birthday on Sunday was not the only story in town.A Sunday Times front page which landed on social media late on Saturday evening screamed: ‘Revealed: palace’s Africa plan for Harry and Meghan’.So, is the most talked-about royal couple, the Duke and Duchess of Sussex, about to quit the UK?The answer is: not yet and not for too long but they are discussing a role which would see them relocate to a Commonwealth country in Africa for a few months when their baby is a little older.

Beyond that, little else is clear. I get the impression this plan is in an embryonic stage, but it has been discussed with Harry’s father, the Prince of Wales. That figures because Prince Charles provides most of the money for the new Sussex Household (the Duchy of Cornwall pays for the Heir to the Throne and his offspring).
The Queen is also aware of the conversations. So here is where I think we are on this. Harry and Meghan are looking for a new role for themselves sometime after their baby is born (he or she is due any day).

They are both leaders of the organisation which connects and supports young leaders in the 53 countries of the Commonwealth, the Queen’s Commonwealth Trust (Harry is President, Meghan Vice-President). The Sussex plan is looking at which Commonwealth country Harry and Meghan might go to in order capitalise on their global celebrity, their interest in young people and their desire to bring attention and change to the causes closest to their hearts. That country is most likely to be in Africa. You might call it a royal/ambassadorial/charity/good causes-led role. It’s been referred to in royal circles both as a ‘secondment’ and as an ‘extended stay’ – so not the two to three years as has been suggested, more like 2 to 3 months. But the plan is some considerable way off from being finalised – in fact, it has barely got off the ground.

So, no firm decisions have been made and it’s entirely possible the plan will change. Either way, it’s a new direction for these two senior members of the Royal Family.
Some of the early work is being done by Sir David Manning, the former British Ambassador to the USA, who has been a foreign affairs advisor to both Princes William and Harry in recent years.

Jamie Lowther-Pinkerton, the former Private Secretary to William, Kate and Harry, has also been involved in the early discussions. Prince William is aware of his brother’s plan, but he has little involvement in Harry’s work since the Sussexes created their own Household and moved out of Kensington Palace.

The Duke and Duchess of Sussex are now living at their new residence at Frogmore Cottage in Windsor.

All of the chatter and gossip that this plan is response to a claimed ‘rift’ between William and Harry, is not true.

The brothers might not be best of friends at the moment, and their arrival separately at the Easter Service in Windsor yesterday allowed the rift speculation to increase, but the Africa plan is not connected to it.

Source: https://www.itv.com/

Who Is Meghan?

The Duchess of Sussex, born Meghan Markle, married Prince Harry at St George’s Chapel, Windsor in May 2018. The couple’s official residence is Kensington Palace. As well as undertaking royal duties in support of The Queen, both in the UK and overseas, The Duchess devotes her time to supporting a number of charities and organisations. From a young age, The Duchess had a keen awareness of social issues and actively participated in charitable work. Aged 11 she successfully campaigned for a company to alter their television advert that had used sexist language to sell washing-up liquid. Her Royal Highness also volunteered at a soup kitchen in Skid Row, Los Angeles from the age of 13-17. She continued to volunteer at the soup kitchen when she would return home to Los Angeles until the age of 22….Continue Reading…

Charities & Patronages

The Royal Foundation
Since: May 2018 – June 2019
The Royal Foundation of The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge and Prince Harry is the Patrons’ primary charitable vehicle, and hopes to become a leading philanthropic investor, effectively using its time and resources to create lasting change in targeted areas and geographies, based on need and on the interests of The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge and Prince Harry. The Foundation will seek to invest in, or partner with, organisations with proven impact, using its profile and leverage to create a multiplier effect in resources, outcomes and knowledge.
Links: Official Site | Meghan’s Efforts
National Theatre
Since: January 2019
The National Theatre’s mission is to make world-class theatre that is entertaining, challenging and inspiring. And to make it for everyone. They aim to reach the widest possible audience, to be inclusive and diverse, and as national as possible. With a broad range of productions in London and across the UK. The National puts some of the nation’s leading artists on the world stage, with productions playing on Broadway and touring across the globe.
Links: Official Site | Meghan’s Efforts
The Association of Commonwealth Universities
Since: January 2019
The Association of Commonwealth Universities is the world’s first international university network, and is the only accredited organisation representing higher education across the Commonwealth. The ACU manages international scholarship schemes (including the UK government’s three major scholarship programmes and The Queen Elizabeth Commonwealth Scholarships), convene universities to address key policy challenges such as gender and equity, climate resilience, and peace and reconciliation, and promote the role of universities in delivering the UN Sustainable Development Goals.
Links: Official Site | Meghan’s Efforts
Smart Works
Since: January 2019
Smart Works is a UK charity that provides high quality interview clothes and interview training to unemployed women in need. Women are referred to Smart Works from organisations such as job centres, work programmes, prisons, care homes, homeless shelters and mental health charities.
Links: Official Site | Meghan’s Efforts
Mayhew
Since: January 2019
Funded entirely by public donations Mayhew aims to promote animal welfare by delivering a broad range of community-based veterinary, care and education services in the UK and overseas. By recognizing that animal welfare issues and social welfare issues are linked Mayhew works to protect the bond vulnerable people, the elderly, the homeless and those suffering from mental health issues have with their animals. And by taking their educational initiatives out to the community they have a better chance of helping prevent cases of neglect, abandonment and cruelty.
Links: Official Site | Meghan’s Efforts
The Queen’s Commonwealth Trust
Since: March 2019
The Queen’s Commonwealth Trust exists to champion, fund and connect young leaders around the world who are driving positive social change, serving their communities and providing hope, work and self-employment opportunities for others. As Vice-President of the Trust Meghan will highlight the Trust’s partnerships with young people across the Commonwealth, and in particular its work supporting women and girls.
Links: Official Site | Meghan’s Efforts

Projects

‘Together: Our Community Kitchen’ Cookbook
After working with the women of Hubb Community Kitchen The Duchess of Sussex suggested the idea of a charity cookbook that celebrates the power of cooking to bring people together. Supported by The Royal Foundation and published by Penguin Random House companies, ‘Together: Our Community Kitchen’ showcases over 50 recipes from women whose community was affected by the Grenfell Tower fire. Since the Together cookbook has been published, it has sold 130,000 copies worldwide. The resulting funds means the kitchen has been completely refurbished and is now open seven days a week

Smart Works Charity Capsule Collection
After working quietly with Smart Works for over a year The Duchess became aware of the difficulty of matching up the perfect work attire due to a range of mismatched colors and sizing. It was revealed in July 2019 that Marks & Spencer, John Lewis & Partners, Jigsaw, and designer Misha Nonoo would team up together to design a capsule collection of work wear clothing for the underprivileged women trying to secure employment. They will follow the “one-for-one model” model where an item from the collection purchased is an item donated to the Smart Works Charity.

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