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ROYAL TOUR: Prince Harry and Meghan Markle reveal sweet details about Archie's first time in Africa – see the best photos

It's their first tour as a family of three

megha live updates day 1 revised
Danielle Stacey
Online Royal CorrespondentLondon
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The Duke and Duchess of Sussex have kicked off their ten-day tour of southern Africa, starting in Cape Town. 

Prince Harry, 35, and Meghan, 38, along with their four-month-old son Archie, travelled on an overnight British Airways flight, which left the UK an hour after its scheduled time. 

The family were spotted disembarking from their flight, with Meghan wearing a cream wrap cardigan, white jeans and flats by Everlane, holding Archie in her arms. The royal tot looked adorable in a wooly hat and blanket - similar to a look his dad sported on a flight to Aberdeen in 1985. Harry looked smart in a grey blazer, white shirt and dark trousers. 

As the Sussexes arrived, Nigel Casey, British High Commissioner to South Africa tweeted: "My thanks to higher authorities for laying on perfect weather to greet TRH the Duke and Duchess of Sussex in Cape Town this morning."

READ: Meghan Markle and Prince Harry plan generous gesture for South African tour

nigel casey© Photo: Twitter

At a briefing ahead of their tour, a royal spokeswoman said: "Their Royal Highnesses are very much looking forward to their arrival in Africa tomorrow on their first official tour as a family. As you well know, Africa holds a very special place in the Duke’s heart and he is looking forward to sharing South Africa with the duchess and their son. It is a really busy programme, four countries in ten days, and we have an extra special small passenger to make things more lively."

meghan markle africa first day dress© Photo: PA

The couple's first stop on day one was the Nyanga township, where they viewed a workshop that teaches children about their rights and provides self-defence classes. 

Harry and Meghan were greeted by huge cheers from the community who had gathered to meet them and the couple couldn't resist discreetly showing off their moves to the music. 

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meghan markle first engagement greeting© Photo: Getty Images

The Duchess wore a £69 black and white printed wrap dress by sustainable Malawian label Mayamiko, with her matching Castaner wedges for her first engagement, as she greeted children. 

meghan markle hugs crowd© Photo: PA

Meghan enveloped a child from the crowd with a big hug, as they met members from the community.

meghan markle dress back© Photo: PA

Meghan displayed her first show of diplomatic diplomacy, by opting for a Malawi-based fashion label. 

prince harry holding hands sweet boy© Photo: PA

Harry beamed as he crouched down to speak to one little boy, inbetween showing off his dance moves. 

meghan and harry watch performers© Photo: PA

The Duke and Duchess looked enthralled by the performers as they both tapped their feet and danced subtly to the music.

And of course, the couple looked as loved-up as ever, as they held hands. 

sweet moment harry and meghan© Photo: PA

New mum Meghan showed off her maternal side, as she stroked one little boy's head. While the couple were spotted landing with son Archie earlier in the day, he did not accompany them to their first engagement. 

meghan markle close up© Photo: PA

The couple travelled to the area, a few miles out of the city centre, to see first-hand the work of the Justice Desk, a human rights organisation, which is supporting the development of the settlement's children.

The organisation is supported by the Queen's Commonwealth Trust, which has Harry as its president and Meghan as vice-president. 

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Both Harry and Meghan wore beaded 'Justice' bracelets, while visiting the initiative. 

meghan justice bracelet© Photo: Getty Images

A close-up of the Justice bracelets worn by Harry and Meghan, made by The Justice Desk. 

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Meghan and Harry were welcomed by Jessica Dewhurst, Justice Desk founder, and Theodora Luthuli, Justice Desk community leader.

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At the end of the engagement, the Duke and Duchess both delivered remarks, thanking the community for showing them around and for the work that they do.

Harry said: "Touching on what your President said last week – no man is born to cause harm to women, this is learned behaviour, and a cycle that needs to be broken.

"So now, it’s about redefining masculinity, it’s about creating your own footprints for your children to follow in, so that you can make a positive change for the future.

"To me, the real testament of your strength isn’t physical, it’s what’s up here and what’s in here. Your strength is in your spirit, which for me means honouring and protecting my wife, and being a positive role model for my son."

meghan speech africa© Photo: Getty Images

The Duchess stood on a tree stump to deliver a powerful speech, telling the audience in Nyanga: "May I just say that while I am here with my husband as a member of The Royal Family, I want you to know that for me I am here with you as a mother, as a wife, as a woman, as a woman of colour and as your sister.

"I am here with you and I am here FOR you and I thank you so much for showing my husband and I the spirit of Ubuntu and I look forward to our time over the next few days together."

MORE: In full: Meghan Markle's impassioned speech received huge cheers - read here

meghan markle speech© Photo: Getty Images

Meghan also quoted Maya Angelou: “Each time a woman stands up for herself, without knowing it possibly, without claiming it, she stands up for all women.” 

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The Duke and Duchess were presented with gifts for Archie from The Justice Desk -  a framed inscription of a traditional Xhosa name they have given to Archie, Ntsika, which means pillar of strength, and a hoody. 

harry meghan dancing© Photo: Getty Images

There was also time for one last dance before the couple headed to their next engagement. 

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Meghan couldn't stop giggling as she joined the dancers and showed off some moves of her own. 

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Meghan looked like she was having the time of her life, as she twirled and clapped her hands. 

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After a late lunch, Harry and Meghan's second stop on day one was to the District Six Museum, located in the inner-city residential area in Cape Town, which was subject to the forced relocation of 60,000 inhabitants of various races during Apartheid in the 1970s. 

The Duchess changed her dress to the Veronica Beard blue ensemble she wore last year during their visit to Tonga, with her Castaner wedges. 

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Well-wishers lined the streets to catch a glimpse of the couple as they made their way into the museum. 

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During the walkabout, our Royal Editor Emily Nash reported the couple met Ebrahim, 81, a former District Six resident, who was in the crowds when the Queen visited in 1947 with her parents and Princess Margaret. She asked them: “Where’s Archie?” and was told “he’s sleeping!” 

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Meghan and Harry revealed during their engagement that Archie was impressed with the local landmark Table Mountain.

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Meghan received a lovely bouquet of flowers from wellwishers. 

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Meghan took time to talk to the crowds who had waited to catch a glimpse of the royal couple on their engagement to District Six. 

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The Duke and Duchess then visited the District Six Homecoming Centre, an annexe of the museum, which was built to provide former residents with a meeting place to share memories and cook together. 

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Harry and Meghan joined a community cooking activity to showcase the varied cuisines that demonstrate the cultural diversity of the area. 

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Harry and Meghan's visit was certainly a hit. Noor -  a founder of the District Six museum - which tells the story of the neighbourhood's rich cultural heritage, said: “We've had so many prime ministers and presidents here, people like the Obamas, but that was the best visit ever. They were very, very friendly and they mixed with people and that made this visit so special."

He added: “They were very down to earth – I loved both of them. I told them it was an honour having them here. I even talked to Harry about the rugby and told him I hope England wins the World Cup – he was surprised I am supporting them. It was a real pleasure to have them here."

meghan markle prince harry district 6© Photo: Getty Images

Meghan and Harry's visit proved to be a massive hit. 

meghan harry district six© Photo: Getty Images

At District Six, Meghan and Harry listened as Noor Ebrahim, 74, and Joe Schaffers, 80, showed them on a giant floor map where they had been living when the government declared Distict Six a whites-only area in 1966. “When she realised the enormity of the forced relocations, she was very moved,” Joe said later. “They had never looked at the psychological aspects of it. So many people have never been able to recover from that. She was really moved by all this and how people are still struggling with unemployment in this country. She felt it and said it was going to take a long time to change things."

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