Prince Harry returned to Angola on Wednesday to support landmine removal efforts in a deeply symbolic journey that mirrored the humanitarian legacy of his late mother, Princess Diana. The Duke of Sussex visited a rural village in southeastern Angola, working with British charity Halo Trust to educate children on how to stay safe around unexploded landmines.
Wearing protective gear, Harry carefully walked through shrubland cleared of explosives and later participated in a controlled detonation. Using basic Portuguese phrases like “stop” and “go back,” he warned children about the dangers of stray explosives, urging them to alert adults if they see suspicious objects.
Angola still suffers the aftermath of a 27-year civil war that erupted after independence from Portugal in 1975. It is home to Africa’s largest minefield, where unexploded devices continue to pose daily risks. Over 60,000 people have been killed or injured by landmines since 2008, according to Halo Trust, which has removed over 100,000 explosive devices from the country.
Harry’s trip recalled his mother’s powerful 1997 visit to Huambo, where she famously walked through a cleared minefield and met victims of the conflict. That visit brought global attention to the hidden dangers of landmines and helped influence policy on their use.
During this latest mission, Prince Harry emphasized that no child should live in fear simply by going outside or walking to school. He met with Angolan President Joao Lourenco on Tuesday to discuss progress on mine clearance and future collaboration.
This marks Harry’s second demining visit to Angola, following a similar trip in 2019 when he also retraced Diana’s footsteps.
