Prince Harry promises to 'challenge injustice' in final day of tour overshadowed by legal row

The Duke and Duchess of Sussex bid farewell to Johannesburg - Chris Jackson Collection
The Duke and Duchess of Sussex bid farewell to Johannesburg - Chris Jackson Collection

The Duchess of Sussex told young people “you have the power to change” the world at the end of a royal tour overshadowed by a bitter attack by her husband on the media.

The Duke and Duchess were guests at a garden party and reception at Britain’s trade commissioner’s residence in Johannesburg.

Prior to the reception, the couple - without their son Archie - met with Graca Machel, the widow of Nelson Mandela. Mrs Machel told the couple, who will launch their Sussex Royal foundation next year: “It’s wonderful meeting you. I’m sure we’re going to be working together in the future. I can feel the vibe.”

The Duke and Duchess then attended the reception where the Duchess delivered a lengthy farewell speech. The Duke laughed and joked as they met entrepreneurs specially selected.

He was in a brighter mood than he appeared earlier in the day at a township event and hours after he had released an excoriating statement that effectively put the Sussex household on a war footing with the tabloid media.

The Duchess of Sussex speaks - Credit: AP
The Duchess of Sussex speaks Credit: AP

The couple announced on Tuesday night that the Duchess was suing the Mail on Sunday for breach of copyright and privacy over a letter she had sent to her father after her marriage last year.

But in the statement, the Duke, who wrote it, said there had been a “ long and disturbing pattern of behaviour by British tabloid media” and added: “I lost my mother and now I watch my wife falling victim to the same powerful forces.”

In her moving speech to the garden party guests, the Duchess said: “I remember being a young girl watching TV and seeing what was happening in the world, and frankly, often feeling despair.

"Because when you continue and constantly see and hear negativity, it can be overwhelming; you can feel powerless, and lost, you can feel different, confused, or like you don’t belong.

Harry and Meghan prepare their farewell speeches - Credit: Samir Hussein
Harry and Meghan prepare their farewell speeches Credit: Samir Hussein

“And I’m sure there is a young girl or boy watching this and thinking the maybe exact same thing. So, this is for you.

“In a world that can seem so aggressive, confrontational, and dangerous, you should know that you have the power to change it.”

She went on: “Because whether you’re here in South Africa, at home in the UK or the US, or around the world, you actually have the power within you to change things, and that begins with how you connect to others.”

In his final speech of the tour at the same event, the Duke said he believed the African continent was on the verge of a great economic breakthrough. He said: “Across the countries I visited - and I think I’ve chalked up five in nine days (and I’m feeling it) - I’ve heard the same story, and it’s one of increasing stability, growth, innovation and hope.”

 The Duke and Duchess of Sussex meet with South Africa's President Cyril Ramaphosa and his wife Tshepo Motsepe at Presidential Official Residence in Pretoria - Credit: Reuters
The Duke and Duchess of Sussex meet with South Africa's President Cyril Ramaphosa and his wife Tshepo Motsepe at Presidential Official Residence in Pretoria Credit: Reuters

He added: “When Africa prospers, the world prospers… This is truly a continent of opportunity.”

Earlier in the day, the Duke of Sussex pledged to “to challenge injustice and to speak out for those who may feel unheard” while on a visit to Tembisa, a sprawling township on the edge of Johannesburg.

The couple were shown around a youth unemployment project, a company growing organic lettuces, and a new business produced compostable sanitary products.

The duchess smiled and waved to a small crowd while the Duke at times appeared serious and tired. At one point, he feigned stiff joints as the Duchess helped him on to a small stage to deliver his final speech of a ten-day tour of southern Africa. Some suggested he appeared strained.

Only the evening before, the Duke and Duchess released a 500-word excoriating statement castigating the “specific press pack” that covers the Royal family. The Duke, who wrote the statement with his wife’s approval, said in it: “I lost my mother and now I watch my wife falling victim to the same powerful forces.”

The Duke and Duchess of Sussex visit Tembisa township - Credit: PA
The Duke and Duchess of Sussex visit Tembisa township Credit: PA

In the same statement the couple announced that the Duchess was suing the Mail on Sunday and its publisher for breach of privacy and copyright over a letter she had written to her father after she married.

The tour until last night had run very smoothly after a series of adverse headlines over private jet flights and the renovation of Frogmore Cottage for £2.4m million at taxpayers’ expense.

The Duke, who appeared tired after a tour that also took in Botswana, Angola and Malawi, praised in his speech the Youth Employment Scheme (YES) he had visited and spoke of the dire need to create jobs in a country where almost 57 per cent of young people are unemployed.

He announced £8million of UK Government funding for a “Skills for Prosperity” programme working with the South African government.

He praised Africa’s resilience in the face of extreme poverty and hardship.

Meghan with Graca Machel, widow of the late Nelson Mandela - Credit: Chris Jackson 
Meghan with Graca Machel, widow of the late Nelson Mandela Credit: Chris Jackson

He said: “Last night I returned from my third visit to the fourth poorest country in the world - Malawi. Despite extreme hardship and ongoing challenges on so many levels, people are generous, they are strong, humble and incredibly optimistic.

“I know that there are daily struggles that most of us couldn’t begin to imagine. Yet I have seen strength, resilience, a sense of hope and empathy that I can only aspire to replicate. Ever since I came to this continent as a young boy, trying to cope with something I can never possibly describe, Africa has held me in an embrace that I will never forget, and I feel incredibly fortunate for that.”

He went on: “As I raise my own son, I want to make sure that what I’ve learned here – the value of the natural world, the value of community and friendship – is something that I can pass on to him.”

Harry and Meghan visit Tembisa township to learn about Youth Employment Services  - Credit: Getty
Harry and Meghan visit Tembisa township to learn about Youth Employment Services Credit: Getty

He then concluded: “We will firmly stand up for what we believe. We are fortunate enough to have a position that gives us amazing opportunities, and we will do everything that we can to play our part in building a better world.

“We will always seek to challenge injustice and to speak out for those who may feel unheard. So no matter your background, your nationality, your age or gender, your sexuality, your physical ability, no matter your circumstance or colour of your skin – we believe in you, and we intend to spend our entire lives making sure you have the opportunity to succeed and change the world.”

Duke and Duchess of Sussex - Credit: PA
It is the first time the Duke and Duchess of Sussex have appeared in public since making a statement about the tabloid media Credit: PA

The Duchess in her farewell speech said: “As my husband said so eloquently, you really have been such an inspiration for us and being here today, from every level of what we’ve seen, there is such a holistic approach to how you have energised and mobilised each other to be part of a bigger change.”

Tashmia Ismail-Saville, chief executive of Youth Employment Services, said the couple betrayed no sign of the tumult that has surrounded them since last night.

“I thought they were very relaxed, completely immersed in the conversations they were having. And very positive,” she said. “He has got a lovely sense of humour. Lots of little quips.”