On Monday 24th September, the Duke of Cambridge began a solo tour of Namibia, Tanzania, and Kenya, in Africa. The tour aims to raise awareness of the upcoming Illegal Wildlife Trade Conference in October, held in London. The trip is a private trip undertaken in his capacity of patron of Tusk, and president of United for Wildlife. The Duke was therefore not accompanied by his wife, the Duchess of Cambridge, as it is not an official state visit, and it is for the causes he champions personally, not those they support in a dual capacity. The Duke did say in Namibia, however, “I’m delighted to be visiting Namibia for the first time. I'm only sorry that my wife Catherine is not able to join me – she is immensely jealous. Particularly as I'm looking forward to a few good uninterrupted nights' sleep this week away from my wonderful children!”
He began in Namibia, his first visit to this country. He focused on conservation, a cause that has long been close to the Prince’s heart, and one he has inherited from his father Charles, Prince of Wales. Prince William has been the patron of Tusk, a conservation trust that works in Africa, notably working to prevent the illegal ivory trade, since 2005. At a reception at the British High Commissioner’s at Windhoek in Namibia, William said, “My visit to Namibia this week is focused on conservation. This is an issue very close to my heart, and I know is a matter of deep pride to you all as well.” The Prince, as president of United for Wildlife, met some of the Queen’s Young Leaders and Commonwealth scholars to discuss conservation efforts. Upon arrival in Namibia, the Duke presented a photograph of the Queen taken on her visit to Namibia in 1991, to Vice President Mbumba. The Duke also tracked Rhino’s in the Kunene region; Tusk supports the work in the Kunene region, under The Kunene People’s Park initiative.
The Duke then went on to visit Tanzania. He attended a reception on the evening of 26th September in Dar es Salaam, meeting those working in conservation. He had a meeting with the President John Magufuli, and witnessed first hand some of the difficulties in combating the illegal wildlife trade in the port of Dar es Salaam.
The last stop of the tour was Kenya, the same place where the Duke proposed to the Duchess of Cambridge, back in 2010. Naturally, it holds a special place in his heart. The Duke visited the Irish Guards, 1st Battalion at the British Army training unit Kenya. The Duke is Colonel of the regiment and joined in a training session. He also met Kenyan defence forces.
This trip has seen Prince William support causes close to his heart and visit some of his favourite places. I think the trip was successful, and the Duke has excellent diplomatic skills at raising awareness of causes, and meeting those working for the charities and organisations that help those causes. He encourages, and also practically gets stuck in. He empathises, and is not afraid to speak out and affect change.