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Daily Mirror
Daily Mirror
Jennifer Newton

Prince Harry takes secret trip without Meghan Markle or children ahead of UK visit

Prince Harry took a secret trip earlier this week ahead of his return to the UK next month.

Pictures emerged on social media appearing to show Harry in the African country of Mozambique - without Meghan Markle or his children. In one snap, he poses for the camera alongside another man wearing a polo shirt, a pair of shorts and a baseball cap. In another shared online, he can be seen standing in the beautiful beach location of Vilankulo and also chatting to several people. The duke’s spokesperson said Harry was welcoming and co-hosting a group of US officials, conservationists and philanthropists earlier this week as they toured protected wildlife and nature areas.

Harry on a previous visit to Mozambique in 2010 (Getty Images)

One of those Harry was pictured chatting to was Yassin Amuji, the president of the Vilankulo tourist board.

And he told the Mirror that Harry had been there for two nights - Monday and Tuesday - and that he had welcomed him to the coastal town.

He said that the prince had travelled there to carry out conversation work in his role as president of the African Parks Network, which manages 20 national parks and protected areas in Africa.

African Parks is one of the few private patronages Harry retained when he stepped down as a senior working royal in 2020. He has worked with the charity since 2016 where he helped them complete their relocation of 500 elephants in Malawi.

Harry, pictured in Malawi in 2019, has spoken out about his love of Africa (WireImage)

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Mr Amuji added that Harry travels to the area "almost every year" and Vilankulo is now a destination popular with "public figures, artists and singers" as well as footballers as it is "private and conservative".

In 2010, Harry went to Mozambique to tour a minefield with the Halo Trust, while dressed in a visor and protective vest in scenes reminiscence of his late mother, Diana, Princess of Wales.

Harry's love of Africa has been well documented and in a speech at the UN just last month, he talked about his love of the continent.

He said: "Since I first visited Africa at 13 years old, I've always found hope on the continent.

Harry and wife Meghan in South Africa in 2019. The couple are coming to the UK next month (Getty Images)

"In fact, for most of my life, it has been my lifeline... It's where I've felt closest to my mother and sought solace after she died, and where I knew I had found a soulmate in my wife."

His flying visit to Mozambique also comes just weeks before he and wife Meghan are due back in the UK once again.

The Sussexes announced earlier this week that they would be coming to Britain next month for the first time since returning for the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee celebrations.

The couple will head to Manchester for the One Young World Summit, an event which brings together young leaders from more than 190 countries, on September 5.

The Sussexes will then head to Germany for the Invictus Games Dusseldorf 2023 One Year to Go event on September 6, before returning to the UK for the WellChild Awards in London on September 8 where Harry will deliver a speech.

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