Prince Harry arrived in Angola on Tuesday for a solo engagement with the Halo Trust, retracing the historic minefield walk taken by Princess Diana 28 years ago, as Meghan Markle remained in California citing safety concerns. The visit underscores the Duke of Sussex's long-standing commitment to landmine clearance and his effort to reignite global support for the British charity's demining mission.
Touching down in Luanda before flying to remote operational zones, Harry plans to walk across active minefields cleared by Halo Trust, the same terrain traversed by his mother in 1997. The late Princess Diana's visit generated international awareness and iconic images of her in a flak jacket and helmet, just months before her death.
"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," a source told The Daily Mail, noting the Duchess of Sussex's absence. Meghan has consistently skipped Halo-related events, including a United Nations session in New York last year.
While security was cited as a primary reason, insiders also said the prince prefers to keep his work with Halo separate from his marriage. "Halo is really his thing, it means so much to him to be patron, and he just wants to keep his work with them to himself," a source said.
Harry became patron of the Halo Trust in 2019. That same year, Angola pledged £46 million to support mine clearance and conservation work in response to his visit. A source noted, "Usually these trips help to drive a bit more money from the government."
The country has committed to clearing all remaining landmines by 2025, a goal the Duke hopes to accelerate. Halo has cleared over 123,000 landmines in Angola since 1994, transforming dangerous terrain into parks, farmland, and villages. Harry is expected to spotlight Halo's use of AI and drone technology to improve operational efficiency.
British media were barred from Tuesday's event, and the duke is expected to deliver a speech during the visit.
His return to Angola follows a recent private meeting in London between Sussex and royal representatives, fueling speculation about a potential thaw in relations between Harry and King Charles. The meeting, held at the Royal Over-Seas League, included Harry's communications chief Meredith Maines and UK PR head Liam Maguire, alongside King Charles's communications secretary Tobyn Andreae.
Royal commentator Richard Fitzwilliams told MailOnline that the meeting would not have proceeded without Prince William's approval. "The King would never have made these moves without William's support and understanding," he said.
