WHETHER they’re hugging children, dancing or being tactile with each other, Meghan Markle and Prince Harry have brought a refreshingly modern touch to their latest royal tour.
The Duke, 35, and Duchess of Sussex, 38, have thrown protocol to the wind during their 10-day trip to Africa – and The Queen is said to be delighted.
Royal expert Richard Fitzwilliams told the Express the trip has been “uniquely informal” by royal standards, but that doesn’t mean they’ve invited criticism.
He said: “The way Meghan and Harry have handled their tour in South Africa so far has been uniquely informal, from hugging and dancing to Meghan not wearing her engagement ring.”
He also praised Meghan’s speech at the deprived township of Nyanga, in Cape Town, for its “electrifying response”.
Richard added: “Their main appeal is clearly to the young and it is brilliantly unorthodox.”
The couple’s passion for issues like female empowerment and removing the stigma around mental health have also been a hit during the visit.
Their adorable four-month-old son Archie stole the show when his parents introduced him to Archbishop Desmond Tutu earlier this week.
While Harry, who is travelling to Botswana, Angola and Malawi alone, retraced his late mum Princess Diana’s footsteps when he walked through a landmine she visited in 1997.
He also hugged a 20-year-old woman with HIV, continuing the important work of the Princess of Wales, who famously shook hands with AIDS patients in 1987.
Meanwhile, Meghan donated Archie’s old baby clothes, including his Invictus onesie, to mums at a mothers2mothers event.
Richard said: “I am sure that the Queen, who cares so deeply about her beloved Commonwealth, will be delighted at their successes.”
Michelle Obama also praised Meghan for “breaking the mould” and being a “thoughtful leader” this week.
