Prince Harry stepped out for a secret engagement you might have missed

By Meaghan Wray

Prince Harry certainly has a lot on his hands since welcoming his first baby, Archie Harrison. But even so, the dedicated royal finds time to put his heart and soul into the causes he loves, and he did just that on Wednesday (June 26) with a secret engagement.

The Duke of Sussex took time out of his day to attend a National Geographic event focused on wildlife preservation in Africa. He spoke of raising awareness for the Okavango River Basin. It is the largest freshwater wetland ecosystem in southern Africa and provides water for a million people and much of the areas wildlife, including lions, cheetahs and the world’s largest elephant population.

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Last week, HRH The Duke of Sussex was proud to co-host a fundraising event for National Geographic’s @intotheokavango - a documentary film that highlights the vulnerability of the critical ecosystem that is The Okavango Delta and its source rivers in Angola. The Okavango Delta is the primary water source for a million people and is home to the world's largest remaining elephant population. His Royal Highness has a long-standing love of Africa and a connection with Botswana and Angola for over 20 years. The Duke is grateful to see National Geographic partnering with the Angolan government, @thehalotrust, @africanparksnetwork and many others in protecting this extraordinary habitat by supporting the sustainable management of the river basin's resources and focusing on a conservation economy. HRH - “Millions of people, food security and regional power generation are dependant on these free-flowing rivers. Threats such as uncontrolled fires, the bushmeat trade, unsustainable harvesting of the forest and rapid biodiversity loss are already destroying this incredible and delicate landscape. Known by the locals as ‘Source of life’, this ecosystem is wilderness at its best, playing an absolutely crucial role for the planet, people and wildlife. This is our one and only chance to save this magnificent last Eden.” (Photos: Cory Richards and John Hilton)

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Much of the wetland’s future is in Namibia and Angola, which could be part of the reason Prince Harry and Meghan are reportedly visiting the latter country. It’s been widely reported that the new parents are jetting off to Malawi, Angola and South Africa in the fall to help expand Sentebale – one of the prince’s charitable initiatives – and help raise awareness for environmental conservation. On Wednesday, the British High Commissioner for South Africa confirmed the couple would be visiting the country, although details for the tour have yet to be revealed by Kensington Palace.

Harry, 34, has long held a place in his heart for the African continent, which is likely a passion passed down from his late mom, Princess Diana, who spent a lot of time there. On one of his favourite getaways with Meghan, he whisked her off to Botswana, one of his favourite places, where they reportedly camped underneath the stars.

Meghan joined Harry in Botswana in 2017. Photo: © Instagram/@sussexroyal

Harry has worked previously with Africa Parks, helping relocate 500 elephants in Malawi. When he took Meghan along with him in 2017, they worked with Elephants Without Borders, a charity which helps prevent elephant poaching. The couple shared one never-before-seen photo on their Instagram to celebrate Earth Day.

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