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Prince Harry meets clowns and circus performers in Zambia

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Updated on June 15, 2023

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During his two-day trip to Zambia, Harry is separated from his pregnant wife Meghan, who has stayed in London.

The Duke of Sussex, 34, began the second day of his brief vacation to Zambia by visiting Circus Zambia, where he was met by a number of professional performers.

The prince expressed his delight at seeing the social circus organization, which “listens” to the voices of young people from disadvantaged backgrounds.

Gift Chansa and friends from Chibolya, a Lusaka area with numerous problems, founded Circus Zambia.

Circus Zambia provides educational and employment opportunities to young people ages five to twenty-one, annually reaching over 5,000 young people.

“This is clearly an exciting place to be!” Harry told the crowd. “You have filled this place with song and your optimism is infectious — what a wonderful introduction to your work. I know my wife, Meghan, had a wonderful meeting with Angeline Murimirwa from your team this past spring, and sends her very best wishes to you all.”

At the circus, which is supported by The Queen’s Commonwealth Trust, a foundation that supports young leaders throughout the world, the monarch’s grandson posed for photos surrounded by performers.

“I see the great strides you are taking every day in the service of others, and how lives and communities are being impacted by this work,” Prince Harry told the young performers.

“And I can see the satisfaction you get from it too which is fantastic. When you give, you receive so much more.”

President Edgar Lungu later met Harry in State House in Lusaka, where he was seen signing the visitors’ register. Harry made a speech at a reception hosted by the British High Commissioner on Monday evening.

He told the audience, “It’s a great pleasure to be here today on my first official visit to the Republic of Zambia – one of the oldest members of the Commonwealth family.”

“It’s also wonderful to be at an event with so many people representing the sectors that together form the important bond between our two countries.”

“My grandmother, Her Majesty The Queen, visited this country in 1979 for the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting, and since then, the friendship between Britain and Zambia has remained strong,” Harry continued. “As President of The Queen’s Commonwealth Trust, and as Her Majesty’s Commonwealth Youth Ambassador; I am committed to celebrating young people across the Commonwealth who are making a difference in their communities.”

“The goal is to create a platform not only where young people’s voices are heard, but where they are supported in achieving their goals,” he said. “I am excited to see some of that work in action tomorrow at Circus Zambia, where The Queen’s Commonwealth Trust has helped young Zambians to achieve their aspirations through education and social enterprise.”

On Monday, Harry visited with Zambian President Edgar Lungu, promising to use another of his charities to aid the country’s diminishing elephant population.

During his visit, he met with members of CAMA, CAMFED’s alumnae network, which works to alleviate poverty and injustice in Sub-Saharan Africa by educating girls and empowering young women.

For Harry and his wife, Meghan Markle, Tuesday is a very important day. One year ago today, the pair announced their engagement.