On July 15, 2025, Prince Harry, the Duke of Sussex, arrived in Angola for an unannounced visit to support the humanitarian efforts of The HALO Trust, a landmine-clearing charity closely associated with his late mother, Princess Diana. The trip, which echoes Diana’s iconic 1997 walk through an active minefield in Huambo, Angola, has drawn significant attention, not only for its charitable significance but also for the absence of Harry’s wife, Meghan Markle, the Duchess of Sussex. While Harry’s solo journey has sparked speculation and curiosity, sources close to the couple have provided insight into the reasons behind Meghan’s decision to remain in California with their two children, Prince Archie and Princess Lilibet. This article explores the context of Harry’s trip, the reasons for Meghan’s absence, and the broader implications of this high-profile visit.
A Tribute to Princess Diana’s Legacy
Prince Harry’s visit to Angola is deeply personal, as it continues the legacy of his mother, Princess Diana, who brought global attention to the devastating impact of landmines during her 1997 visit to the war-torn nation. At the time, Angola was still recovering from a brutal 27-year civil war that ended in 2002, leaving behind millions of unexploded landmines that continue to threaten lives and hinder development. Diana’s bold walk through a minefield, wearing protective gear alongside HALO Trust workers, became an iconic moment that galvanized international support for landmine clearance and contributed to the signing of the Ottawa Treaty, which banned anti-personnel mines.
Harry, who has been a patron of The HALO Trust since 2019, has made it a priority to carry forward his mother’s work. His 2025 visit included a poignant walk through a minefield in Cuito Cuanavale, Africa’s largest remaining minefield, as well as meetings with local families and Angolan President João Lourenço to discuss ongoing demining efforts. According to a statement from The HALO Trust, Harry’s presence aims to spotlight the organization’s work, which has cleared over 123,000 landmines in Angola since 1994, transforming former battlegrounds into farmland, nature reserves, and safe villages. The Duke also participated in a children’s safety class in a remote Angolan village, emphasizing the importance of educating communities about the dangers of unexploded ordnance. “Children should never have to live in fear of playing outside or walking to school,” Harry said during the visit. “Here in Angola, over three decades later, the remnants of war still threaten lives every day.”
The emotional resonance of Harry’s trip is undeniable, as it not only honors his mother’s humanitarian legacy but also underscores his personal commitment to a cause that has shaped his public life. However, the absence of Meghan Markle, who has accompanied Harry on previous trips, including a 2019 visit to Angola, has prompted widespread speculation about the reasons behind her decision to stay behind.
Security Concerns: The Primary Reason for Meghan’s Absence
According to multiple sources, the primary reason Meghan did not join Harry in Angola is rooted in security concerns. A source close to the couple told the Daily Mail, “The Duke won’t let his wife go to England over security concerns, so there was no chance he’d allow her to go to Angola to walk across landmines.” This statement reflects Harry’s longstanding apprehension about the safety of his family, particularly in high-risk environments or during public appearances. Angola, despite significant progress in landmine clearance, remains a country with active minefields and lingering dangers from its civil war era, making it a potentially hazardous destination.
Harry’s concerns about security are not new. In a 2025 BBC interview, he expressed fears about bringing Meghan and their children, Archie and Lilibet, to the United Kingdom due to the loss of their automatic security detail after stepping back from royal duties in 2020. The couple’s relocation to the United States and their subsequent legal battles over security provisions in the UK have been well-documented. Harry has argued that the lack of adequate protection makes it unsafe for his family to travel to certain locations, a sentiment that appears to extend to this trip to Angola. The decision to leave Meghan and their children in Montecito, California, aligns with this cautious approach, prioritizing their safety over public appearances.
Beyond the physical dangers of the trip, insiders suggest that Harry views his work with The HALO Trust as a deeply personal endeavor, one that he may have chosen to undertake alone to maintain its focus on his mother’s legacy. A source told the Daily Mail, “HALO is really his thing. It means so much to him to be patron, and he just wants to keep his work with them to himself.” This sentiment suggests that Harry’s decision was not only about safety but also about preserving the individuality of his commitment to this cause.
Public Speculation and Media Narratives
Meghan’s absence from the Angola trip has fueled speculation, particularly in light of ongoing rumors about the state of the couple’s marriage. Tabloid headlines and social media posts have questioned whether her decision to stay behind indicates strain in their relationship. For instance, a post on X from @HGTudorKTN titled “Harry in Angola: At What Cost? (Meghan Markle)” hinted at underlying tensions, while others, such as @SkyNewsAust, noted that Meghan’s absence was due to “logistical reasons” rather than personal discord. However, sources close to the couple have dismissed divorce rumors, emphasizing that Harry and Meghan remain united in their personal and professional goals. A former royal butler, Paul Burrell, told the Daily Mail that the couple’s shared ambition to build their brand and financial success makes separation unlikely.
The media’s focus on Meghan’s absence also reflects broader narratives about the Sussexes’ relationship with the royal family. Harry’s trip to Angola coincided with reports of a discreet “peace summit” in London between his aides and those of King Charles, suggesting efforts to mend strained familial ties. While some outlets speculated that Meghan’s absence might be linked to these negotiations, there is no concrete evidence to support this claim. Instead, her decision to remain in the US appears to be a practical one, driven by safety considerations and her responsibilities as a mother to Archie and Lilibet.
Meghan’s Role and Priorities
While Harry was in Angola, Meghan remained in Montecito, where she has been focusing on her own professional endeavors and parenting their two children. In recent months, Meghan has been building her lifestyle brand, with reports suggesting she is on track to achieve significant financial success. Her absence from Harry’s trip does not indicate a lack of support for his charitable work; rather, it reflects a division of responsibilities within their partnership. Meghan has consistently avoided HALO Trust events, including a United Nations gathering in New York in September 2024, despite its proximity to their US home. This pattern suggests that the couple has strategically allocated their public roles, with Harry taking the lead on causes tied to his mother’s legacy, while Meghan focuses on her own initiatives.
Meghan’s decision to stay behind also aligns with her limited public appearances in high-risk or controversial settings. Since stepping back from royal duties, she has not returned to the UK except for Queen Elizabeth II’s funeral in 2022, a decision influenced by the same security concerns cited for the Angola trip. Her absence from Harry’s side in Angola, therefore, is consistent with the couple’s approach to managing their public and private lives.
The Broader Impact of Harry’s Visit
Beyond the personal dynamics, Harry’s trip to Angola has significant implications for The HALO Trust and the global fight against landmines. The charity has reported that at least 80 Angolans have been killed by landmines in the past five years, and over 1,000 minefields remain uncleared across the country. Harry’s high-profile visit is expected to drive donations and support from the Angolan government, as well as raise global awareness about the ongoing threat of unexploded ordnance. His meeting with President Lourenço resulted in a three-year pledge of support for HALO’s work, a testament to the impact of his advocacy.
The trip also serves as a reminder of Harry’s commitment to humanitarian causes, despite the challenges he has faced since leaving the royal family. His determination to honor his mother’s legacy, even in the face of personal and public scrutiny, underscores the depth of his dedication to this cause. As James Cowan, CEO of The HALO Trust, noted, “It was an honour to have an audience with His Excellency President Lourenço today alongside Prince Harry, Duke of Sussex, to discuss HALO’s continued demining efforts in Angola.”
Conclusion
Prince Harry’s solo trip to Angola in July 2025 was a powerful tribute to his mother, Princess Diana, and a continuation of his commitment to The HALO Trust’s mission to clear landmines. Meghan Markle’s absence, while sparking speculation, was primarily due to security concerns, reflecting Harry’s protective stance toward his family. Additionally, the trip allowed Harry to maintain a personal connection to a cause that is deeply tied to his mother’s legacy, one that he has chosen to champion on his own. As the Sussexes navigate their post-royal lives, their division of roles—Harry focusing on humanitarian work, Meghan on her entrepreneurial ventures—demonstrates a strategic approach to their public and private responsibilities. Despite media narratives and public curiosity, the couple’s decisions appear rooted in practicality, safety, and a shared commitment to their respective passions.
