Harry Hits Back 'No-One Is Perfect'

The Prince’s Pointed Plea for Understanding.

- Judy Kean

It’s a return to work following maternity leave for Meghan, Duchess of Sussex; an opportunity for Prince Harry to spend time in a country he loves; and a chance for the world to see baby Archie for the first time in months.

But the official visit by the Sussexes to South Africa will also be an attempt to put the family in a good light following negative publicity that has dogged them in recent months.

Announcing on their Instagram account that they will travel to Africa on September 23, Harry sounded excited about the upcoming tour to “a region that, over the past two decades, has been a second home to me. Our team has helped to create a meaningful programme that we’re so excited to share with you.

“On a personal note, I can’t wait to introduce my wife and son to South Africa.”

In another post, Harry (34) and Meghan (38) included a quote from Nelson Mandela: “It is easy to break down and destroy. The heroes are those who make peace and build.”

Those words are being seen by some as a dig at the criticism they’ve received for doing things such as travelling by private jet four times in 11 days to go on holiday in Ibiza and to Sir Elton John’s home in the south of France. The trips were seen as hypocritical given how outspoken they are about environmental causes.

Harry later addressed the issue of their private plane travel at the launch of Travalyst in Amsterdam, a new global initiative that aims to educate people about sustainable travel and to help local communities benefit from visitors to their area.

“I came here by commercial [flight],” Harry said. “I spend 99% of my time travelling the world by commercial [flights].