- Prince Harry and Meghan Markle met a group of children on Monwabisi Beach near Cape Town this morning
- They heard about the charity Waves for Change, which use the ocean as a therapeutic escape for youngsters
- Royals also heard about the Lunchbox Fund, which benefits from public donations made after Archie’s birth
- Later, the couple will meet faith leaders at South Africa’s first and oldest mosque before going on a walkabout
The Duke and Duchess of Sussex have kicked off the second day of their whirlwind tour of Africa on the beach where they met young surfers who use the ocean as a therapeutic escape from their violent communities.
Harry and Meghan travelled to Monwabisi Beach, on the outskirts of Cape Town, to learn about the work of Waves For Change, which helps vulnerable children from township and challenging communities through the power of surfing.
They also heard about the Lunchbox Fund, one of four charities to benefit from public donations made following the birth of their son Archie, who has joined his parents in South Africa for his first official royal tour.
The American former actress wore a white shirt, with her Le Specs Bandwagon sunglasses tucked in the front, a cropped £112 denim jacket with sleeves rolled up, and black skinny jeans.
The Duchess swerved royal protocol as she sat down and giggled with youngsters on the beach,before hugging them as she left.
The Duke and Duchess stopped for photos after taking part in a ‘power hands’ ceremony on the beach
The Duchess of Sussex hugged a surf mentor during the visit to Waves for Change
Harry and Meghan got the chance to part in a mental health exercise called the Power Hand, which promotes positive thinking
Prince Harry put a loving arm around his wife as they left the charity headquarters near Cape Town
The Duchess swerved royal protocol as she sat down and giggled with youngsters on the beach
The former actress and her husband happily posed for pictures, beaming alongside children from the surf school
The Duke and Duchess of Sussex meet surf mentors as they visit Waves for Change, an NGO, at Monwabisi Beach
The couple chatted with Dr Thomas Maes, Director of the Commonwealth Litter Programme (CLiP) and Loyiso Dunga, a marine Biologist from the Sea Change Project, who will speak about the impact of micro plastics in the ocean and provide a demonstration in their micro laboratory
The Duchess of Sussex exuded cool in simple black Capri jeans paired with a denim jacket, white shirt, canvas shopper bag and tan loafers
After being met by founding director Tim Conibear, the pair visited one of W4C’s ‘Safe Spaces’, where young people can go to talk in confidence
The couple had travelled to the picturesque beach setting to learn how surf mentors are helping youngsters in need.
Asked what was the most pressing global issue when it came to dealing with the stigma around mental health, Meghan replied: ‘It’s just getting people to talk about it and talk to each other, right?
‘And you see that no matter where you are in the world, if you’re a small community or a Township, if you’re in a big city – it’s that everyone is dealing with a different version of the same thing.
‘Globally I think there’s a bit of a consciousness crisis, and so the fact we’re able to be here together to see on the ground so much good work that’s being done, just because people are willing to talk to each other about it and someone’s willing to listen is huge.
‘And that can apply to being here, certainly can apply to being in London, LA – doesn’t matter where you are, we’re all sort of trying to power through and find some optimism.’
Harry and Meghan also held an impromptu question and answer session with the press close to the beach and were quizzed about what it was like being in Africa.
Speaking about Monday when the couple visited Nyanga Township in Cape Town, the duke replied: ‘Yesterday was great and to start in Nyanga was amazing.’
He went on to comment on the growing issue in South Africa of violence against women: ‘I think everyone across the world now has probably heard about what’s been happening more recently – that kind of stuff happens all the time, every year, but it really peaked in the last month or so, we’ve done our best to keep track of what’s been going on.’
Harry added: ‘This Africa tour was always going to be fantastic, been looking forward to Cape Town – her first visit, I love this place.
‘And again meeting the people, the energy, the fun, again the positivity, the optimism and the hope in the face of such incredible adversity.
‘There are young people and older people, men and women trying to change what effectively has become the norm.’
Meghan’s hair was up in a bun, but the windy weather meant she had to re-adjust a few loose strands behind her ears as she arrived.
Her Madewell denim jacket in Pinter Wash with metallic buttons costs around £112.
Her tan shoes were her Brother Vellies Huaraches Flats in Whiskey, which are priced at £156, and are already mostly out of stock.
Brother Vellies, which is based in New York, was created by designer Aurora James to represent James’s favourite traditional African footwear and create jobs within the continent.
Each product is handmade by local artisans in countries including South Africa, Kenya and Morocco using techniques and styles passed down from generation to generation.
Meghan carried a £74 Madewell medium Transport Tote bag in khaki-coloured British Surplus, at times wearing the tan leather strap across her body.
Harry was in a dark unbuttoned shirt tucked into beige trousers, with matching trainers.
Asked what was the most pressing global issue when it came to dealing with the stigma around mental health, Meghan replied: ‘It’s just getting people to talk about it and talk to each other, right?’
Meghan said: ‘You see that no matter where you are in the world, if you’re a small community or a Township, if you’re in a big city – it’s that everyone is dealing with a different version of the same thing’
The Duchess added: ‘Globally I think there’s a bit of a consciousness crisis, and so the fact we’re able to be here together to see on the ground so much good work that’s being done, just because people are willing to talk to each other about it and someone’s willing to listen is huge’
Meghan eschewed her wedding ring in favour of a simple gold band and another ring
Meghan said: ‘Someone’s willing to listen is huge. And that can apply to being here, certainly can apply to being in London, LA – doesn’t matter where you are we’re all sort of trying to power through and find some optimism.’
The couple had travelled to the picturesque beach setting to learn how surf mentors are helping youngsters in need
At the start of her ten-day tour with husband Harry and baby Archie, Meghan told an audience in South Africa she was there not just as a royal but ‘as a mother, as a wife, as a woman, as a woman of colour and as your sister’
Yesterday they visited the township of Nyanga – South Africa’s ‘murder capital’ – shortly after arriving in Cape Town with their four-month-old son on a British Airways flight for their first official tour as a family
Harry and Meghan sat and took part in a meditation class with the beach in the background
Royal wave: Prince Harry and his wife posed with boys and girls on the beach as their visit drew to a close
Beach boys (and girls!): The energetic visit saw the couple sing, dance and take part in various activities
The American former actress chatted with youngsters as they showed her what they get up to
The Waves For Change organisation was founded after a group of surfing enthusiasts discovered how beneficial the sport was in engaging young people and helping their mental health.
Daily exposure to violence and stress in South Africa means that many residents, particularly young people, suffer from acute emotional and psychological difficulties.
But early evidence suggests that those who taking part in surfing session experience improved feelings of belonging, trust and confidence.
After being met by founding director Tim Conibear, who talked to them about their work, the Duke and Duchess visited one of W4C’s ‘Safe Spaces’, where young people can go to talk in confidence.
They also met 25 surf mentors preparing for a mental health activity on the beach as well as joining them in a circle for a welcome.
They even joined the surf mentors in a circle for a Kilo – a welcoming chant, call and response game.
Harry and Meghan also got the chance to part in a mental health exercise called the Power Hand, which promotes positive thinking.
The Duke and Duchess joined in in the Power Hand activity and spoke to the surf mentors about its benefits.
The couple also took the chance to chat with Dr Thomas Maes, Director of the Commonwealth Litter Programme (CLiP) and Loyiso Dunga, a marine Biologist from the Sea Change Project, who spoke about the impact of micro plastics in the ocean and provide a demonstration in their micro laboratory.
The discussion will highlight the importance of role models, such as the surf mentors, in spreading the message in their communities on how plastic waste impacts on the ocean.
The Sea Change Project is a community of ocean scientists working to protect the oceans through film, journalism and activism, led by Craig Foster, an award-winning filmmaker, whose work has appeared on Sir David Attenborough’s Planet Earth.
Before they left Harry and Meghan spent time in the kitchen with staff from The Lunchbox Fund, which helps vulnerable children in the country get the education they desperately need by providing a daily, nutritious school meal.
Many of the children would often go hungry and the meal encourages them too attend school, as well as concentrate and learn.
The charity provides nearly 30,000 nutritious meals every day to Waves for Change programmes and schools in South Africa’s townships and rural areas.
The royal couple fully immersed themselves in group activities against the backdrop of the beach in South Africa
Duchess of cool: Meghan sat and laughed with the youngsters from the surf school
The couple were given a talk about the Waves For Change organisation, which was founded after a group of surfing enthusiasts discovered how beneficial the sport was in engaging young people and helping their mental health
Harry and Meghan sat down to take part in a power hands and meditation circle
Waves for Change is an NGO which supports local surf mentors to provide mental health services to vulnerable young people living in under resourced communities
The royals were relaxed and happy as they took part in group activities with the excited youngsters
The organisation combines surfing with evidence-based mind and body therapy to provide a child-friendly mental health service to vulnerable young people
The Duchess of Sussex threw herself into the activity alongside members of the NGO Waves for Change
They will hear about the Lunchbox Fund, one of four charities to benefit from public donations made following the birth of their son Archie, who has joined his parents in South Africa for his first official royal tour
Surfs up: Proud youngsters displayed the charity emblem on their wetsuits as they showed the pair around
The Duke and Duchess strolled around Monwabisi Beach in the sunshine this morning
They happily chatted to members of the charity and waved to well-wishers who had come along to catch a glimpse
Daily exposure to violence and stress in South Africa means that many residents, particularly young people, suffer from acute emotional and psychological difficulties. But early evidence suggests that those who taking part in surfing session experience improved feelings of belonging, trust and confidence
Harry and Meghan listened intently as young people talked about how they are helped by the charity
After spending their first day in the city of Cape Town, it was time this morning for the Duke and Duchess of Sussex to head the beach
Harry and Meghan in a mental health exercise called the Power Hand, which promotes positive thinking. The duke and duchess joined in with the Power Hand activity and spoke to the surf mentors about its benefits
Harry and Meghan travelled to Monwabisi Beach, on the outskirts of the city, to learn about the work of Waves For Change, which helps vulnerable children from township and challenging communities through the power of surfing
The couple laughed and joked as they made their way into the Waves of Change headquarters
The stunning former actress kept her look typically natural, with a flush of bronzer and her hair swept into a low bun
Harry and Meghan will also get the chance to part in a mental health exercise called the Power Hand, which promotes positive thinking
The Duchess of Sussex beamed as she met with representatives from the charity in Cape Town today
The Duke and Duchess of Sussex visit the Waves for Change compound kitchen, where charity The Lunchbox Fund, provides nearly 30,000 nutritious meals every day to programmes in townships and rural areas at Monwabisi Beach
Ash Heese, 27, projects manager at Waves For Change explained that the project had been running for nine years, starting from a small van on the beach.
It now works with 1,200 children from across Cape Town and the Eastern Cape.
She said: ‘We had no idea that the couple had even heard of us until they featured us on their Instagram account. We woke up on a Monday morning to find our social media goi f crazy.
‘We really hope that this visit will raid awareness of the work we are doing.
‘These young people on average experience eight acts that affect their mental health every day, ranging from extreme poverty to violence and intimidation. Most of us experience four in a lifetime.
‘Mental health is not something that is well addressed in South Africa. There is a severe shortage of trained staff.
‘The mentors here are amazing. They don’t have to have formal qualifications but are very special people with empathy and understanding. It is what these children need so very badly. ‘
Later today, Harry will travel by boat with a crew from the City of Cape Town Marine Unit to Seal Island to learn about their work combating the poaching of abalone.
Abalone is a type of sea snail that is at critically low levels, as a plate of the marine delicacy is worth more than its weight in gold – £420 a plate – to Chinese diners.
Speaking to a well-wisher as Meghan stood nearby, Harry said about his son: ‘He was staring out the window as we flew in… looking at Table Mountain’
Say cheese: The delighted group posed for photographs with the beautiful beach in the background
Harry and Meghan also held an impromptu question and answer session with the press close to the beach and were quizzed about what it was like being in Africa
Speaking about Monday when the couple visited Nyanga Township in Cape Town, the duke said: ‘Yesterday was great and to start in Nyanga was amazing.’
Harry also spoke out about the growing issue in South Africa of violence against women today
Meghan’s hair was up in a bun, but the windy weather meant she had to re-adjust a few loose strands behind her ears as she arrived
The American former actress wore a white shirt, with her Le Specs Bandwagon sunglasses tucked in the front, a cropped denim jacket with sleeves rolled up, and black skinny jeans
Meghan’s Madewell denim jacket in Pinter Wash with metallic buttons costs around £112. Her tan shoes were her Brother Vellies Huaraches Flats in Whiskey, which are priced at £156, and are already mostly out of stock
The duke told reporters: ‘This Africa tour was always going to be fantastic, been looking forward to Cape Town – her first visit, I love this place’
Harry said: ‘And again meeting the people, the energy, the fun, again the positivity, the optimism and the hope in the face of such incredible adversity. There are young people and older people, men and women trying to change what effectively has become the norm.’
During the first day of his family’s tour of South Africa, Harry said his baby son could not take his eyes off the mountain that dominates the backdrop to the city, as their plane landed
Meghan carried a £74 Madewell medium Transport Tote bag in khaki-coloured British Surplus, at times wearing the tan leather strap across her body
Archie has not been included in Harry and Meghan’s official schedule for South Africa, although the couple hopes to publicly introduce him to Africa at some point
Harry was in a dark unbuttoned shirt tucked into beige trousers, with matching trainers
Discussing his son Harry, was overheard telling another well-wisher: ‘He’s not grouchy, just exhausted.’
After spending their first day in Cape Town, this morning the Duke and Duchess of Sussex headed to Monwabisi Beach to learn about the work of Waves for Change
The couple dressed casually as they arrived in a Land Rover ahead of the day’s events
Royal fans brought out the bunting and flags as they got set to greet the Duke and Duchess of Sussex on Monwabisi Beach
Well-wishers braved the wind as they set up their chairs on the beach in Cape Town this morning
In his role as Captain General Royal Marines, Harry will meet two Marines who have been training the Cape Town unit as part of a Ministry of Defence initiative that began last summer.
To mark Heritage Day, a public holiday in South Africa celebrated on September 24 when the nation recognises its culture, diversity and traditions, the duke and duchess will visit the country’s first and oldest mosque.
At the Auwal Mosque in Bo-Kaap, Cape Town, the couple will meet faith leaders before going on a walkabout in the district.
They will end the day meeting young people and community and civil society leaders at the official residence of the British High Commissioner in Cape Town.
source:dailymail