Prince Harry has returned to Angola, retracing the bold steps of his late mother, Princess Diana, in support of landmine clearance efforts.
He visited Cuito Cuanavale, a region still haunted by remnants of Angola’s 27-year civil war. Wearing a flak jacket and visor, he walked through a demined area, just like Diana did in 1997.
“Children should never have to live in fear of playing outside or walking to school,” he said, standing near Africa’s largest minefield.
A Legacy Revisited
The Halo Trust, the charity Diana once championed, has cleared over 123,000 landmines and 100,000 bombs in Angola since 1994. Yet, more than 1,000 minefields remain, covering 67 square kilometres.
Harry met children in a nearby village, repeating safety phrases in Portuguese: “Stop, go back and tell your elders.” These lessons help prevent deadly accidents.
He also met President João Lourenço to discuss a new three-year contract between the Angolan government and Halo Trust. The government has committed $60 million to clear mines in two national parks.
“The remnants of war still threaten lives every day,” Harry said. “The Angolan government’s continued commitment is a powerful testament to Halo’s success.”
From Danger to Hope
The minefield Diana walked through in Huambo is now a thriving community. It hosts the Princess Diana School and a rehabilitation centre for landmine survivors.
James Cowan, Halo’s CEO, said: “We will continue our work in solidarity with the Angolan people until every last mine is cleared.”
Harry’s visit also included a reception with business leaders, where he spoke about humanitarian partnerships. He last visited Angola in 2019, where he set off a controlled explosion and retraced Diana’s path in Huambo.
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