Prince Harry received a warm welcome upon arriving in Angola as he renewed his support for landmine clearance efforts in the country still scarred by a 27-year civil war. The Duke of Sussex, traveling solo and without Meghan Markle, is continuing the legacy of his late mother, Princess Diana, by walking through a former minefield in collaboration with the Halo Trust, for which he serves as patron.
The visit closely mirrors Diana’s iconic 1997 walk through a minefield in Huambo, a moment that became emblematic of her humanitarian legacy. Harry last visited Angola in 2019, retracing his mother’s steps shortly after becoming patron of the Halo Trust. On this return, he is again highlighting the organisation’s work and Angola’s aim to become mine-free by 2025. The initiative, launched with a £46 million pledge from the Angolan government, includes plans to create wildlife corridors and reclaim farmland.
According to MailOnline, Meghan Markle did not accompany her husband due to security concerns. A source explained: “The duke won’t let his wife go to England over security concerns, so there was no chance he’d allow her to go to Angola to walk across landmines.”
After landing at Luanda Airport, Harry met with President João Lourenço and other officials to discuss the progress of demining efforts. His visit includes travel on small aircraft to reach remote minefields, where he is expected to walk through cleared areas in a gesture reminiscent of Diana’s powerful photographs from 1997.
“Halo is really his thing,” one insider told MailOnline. “It means so much to him to be patron and he just wants to keep his work with them to himself.” The Duke’s team hopes the visit will generate renewed interest and donations, both from the Angolan government and international supporters.
This trip also reflects Prince Harry’s desire to shift focus away from royal family tensions. The duke is expected to give a speech highlighting Halo’s use of AI and drone technology to accelerate mine clearance, although British media have been barred from attending.
His work with Halo continues despite growing global attention on his strained relationship with the British Royal Family. Just days before this visit, Harry’s two top aides, including Meredith Maines, held a discreet meeting in London with Tobyn Andreae, King Charles’s communications secretary. Also in attendance was Liam Maguire, the Sussexes’ UK-based PR lead.
The quiet summit at the Royal Over-Seas League—just steps from Clarence House—has been described as an early step toward reconciliation. Royal sources say the talks were part of a broader “charm offensive” to reshape public perception of the Sussexes.
Royal commentator Richard Fitzwilliams told MailOnline: “This meeting obviously is a sign things are moving forward… The King would never have made these moves without William’s support and understanding.”
He added that while Prince William remains deeply hurt by Harry’s actions, King Charles may be more open to a thaw in relations, especially if it helps unify the monarchy during a delicate time.
Prince Harry’s presence in Angola is likely to draw worldwide attention once again, as it did in 2019 when he detonated a landmine, camped by the Cuito River, and visited the Princess Diana Orthopaedic Centre. His enduring connection to the region and its people remains a central focus of his humanitarian work.