They’ve only just completed renovations and moved in to their new home in Windsor, Frogmore Cottage, in preparation for the arrival of Baby Sussex. But already there is talk of Prince Harry and Meghan, Duchess of Sussex, moving to Africa with their new arrival to undertake ‘bespoke’ roles in the Commonwealth.
It’s reported that the royal couple could live there for up to three years.
David Manning — the former British ambassador to the U.S. and adviser to Harry and Prince William — has proposed a plan for the couple to take on an “international position that could build on their work for the Commonwealth,” reported the Sunday Times.
In a statement, Buckingham Palace did not deny the reports, saying, “Any future plans for The Duke and Duchess are speculative at this stage. No decisions have been taken about future roles.”
The couple both hold roles within the Queen’s Commonwealth Trust — Harry is President and Meghan is Vice-President.
“This is a 1000-year-old monarchy overseeing a Commonwealth of 54 territories. Lots of people depend on its existence and continued success,” a source told PEOPLE. “Eventually Harry and Meghan will be dispatched somewhere.”
Meanwhile, the Duke and Duchess appear to have confirmed that plans are in the offing, saying they are “excited” about the possibility of a six-month “secondment” to Africa.
Other royal sources have described it as a “likely scenario” in the next few years.
Talks of relocating to other Commonwealth countries Australia and Canada are understood to have been undertaken, but ultimately decided against. If they’re going anywhere, then, good bets are on Africa.
Africa is a continent that is close to the couple’s hearts.
After just two dates together in London in July 2016, Harry and Meghan took what the prince described in their official engagement interview as a “huge leap” by going camping together in Botswana.
They spent five days together in a tent. As reported by Town and Country, Prince Harry said: “We camped out with each other under the stars, sharing a tent and all that stuff. It was fantastic.”
They also honeymooned in the continent for three weeks in 2017.
Harry’s work as Commonwealth Youth Ambassador and with Rhino Conservation Botswana have heard him call the country a “second home” since a childhood visit with his mother, Princess Diana.
With connections both personal and professional, and the couple already earning a reputation for bucking royal tradition and doing things their way, the move sounds highly likely indeed.
