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The Duke and Duchess of Sussex’s Royal tour to Africa is in full swing after the couple first visited Nyanga in Cape Town on Monday. The royal pair met with The Justice Desk, an organisation that teaches women and children about their rights and safety. In an opening statement to the crowd that gleefully welcomed the couple, the Duchess said, “May I just say that 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 colour, and as your sister. I am here with you and I am here for you and I thank you so much for showing my husband and I the spirit of ubuntu“.
It’s been thrilling to see the Duchess meet with South Africans for the very first time. While visiting Nyanga, the Duchess donned a midi monochrome dress paired with black espadrilles – a stylish combination that couldn’t be more perfect for a sun-filled spring day in Cape Town. Her elegant choice of clothing simply stunned bystanders. Later that day, the pair toured the District Six Museum, too.
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On Heritage Day, the Duke and Duchess stopped off at Monwabisi Beach to learn about ‘Surf Therapy’ and the non-profit organisation, Waves for Change, before visiting the colourful Bo Kaap suburb, while dancing to jovial music in the street. They were invited inside one of the Bo Kaap resident’s homes to sample a delicious home-cooked meal at their dinner table and left the vibrant neighbourhood smiling from ear to ear. SA citizens in attendance were elated to catch a glimpse of the pair and flooded the street with growing cheer. The Duchess wore an easy-fitting, floor-length shirt dress in a muted rust colour. Her attire, as well as the Duke’s, blended in perfectly with the Bo Kaap’s colourful surrounds.
Wednesday, the Duke and Duchess happily introduced their beautiful four-month-old son Archie to Archbishop Desmond Tutu and and his daughter Thandeka Tutu-Gxashe. During their meeting, the couple were given insight into the impactful work of the Desmond and Leah Tutu Legacy Foundation. Photographs and videos shared on social media platforms like Instagram also captured the Archbishop playfully giving young Archie a high-five. The formidable figure and his wife appeared to have enjoyed the little one’s company immensely. For this momentous occasion, the Duchess wore a printed wrap dress at midi length – a must-have wardrobe item this season that flattered her tremendously.
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In the afternoon, the Duchess joined inspiring female entrepreneurs and investors in Woodstock for a group sitting where exciting start-up stories and personal journeys were shared. The Duchess made it clear from the onset that she wanted the tour to include these kinds of groups and spaces where women’s rights are championed, and so her expression throughout the sitting only reflected sheer delight. For this look, the Duchess paired statement earrings with a terrific, cool-toned jumpsuit.
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Ending off the Cape Town leg of their tour, the Duchess also spent some time with the Mothers2Mothers organisation, which strives to train and employ women with HIV as frontline health workers. The Duchess met three such women who shared their personal stories and passionate drive to create a generation free from HIV. The Duchess also donated two large bags of outgrown clothes, some of which were Archie’s, to the foundation to share something that came directly from home. In giving this gift she noted, “It’s so important we’re able to share what’s worked for our family and know that we’re all in this together with each other”.
The Duke and Duchess have temporarily parted ways while the Duke travels to Botswana, Angola, and Malawi. While the Duke is away, the Duchess will attend a round-table meeting with the Association of Commonwealth Universities in Joburg. She’ll meet with students to discuss the many challenges young South African women face when pursuing tertiary education. Afterwards, she will meet with a local charity that combats and raises awareness of sexual violence in schools. The pair are expected to reunite next Wednesday, also in Joburg, where they’ll meet President Cyril Ramaphosa and his wife, as well as Graça Machel, widow of the late former President Nelson Mandela.
By Features Writer Marike Watson and Fashion Editor Tiamara Naidoo
