Prince Harry has been criticized in recent weeks for his globe-trotting getaways with girlfriend Meghan Markle. Harry has even been accused of not paying enough attention to his Royal responsibilities. Perhaps the news that Harry is the new patron of Rhinos Botswana will put the ginger-haired prince back in the good graces of the British public.
You must give Harry credit: he logged 61,800 miles traveling around the world for numerous official public engagements outside the United Kingdom. Harry’s uncle Prince Edward was a very close second, logging 61,400 miles of official international travel. Kate Middleton and Prince William’s official Royal engagements pale in comparison.
It wasn’t until after Prince Harry publicly acknowledged his relationship with Meghan Markle that things started to go a little south for the prince. Harry loosened up his schedule following his return from the Caribbean tour. Harry made a not-so-secret and unplanned side trip for a quick visit with Meghan in Toronto. That didn’t make the public too happy. Questions arose about who paid for the prince’s Canadian booty call.
Meghan Markle bopped across the pond and visited Harry not long after. The ‘Suits’ actress was spotted toting groceries from Whole Foods to Nottingham Cottage. We’re certain Meghan, an admitted foodie with a lifestyle blog, prepared a few romantic meals for Harry during their tryst.
The first-time Prince Harry and Meghan Markle were spotted together in public was right before Christmas. The newly-minted couple bought a Christmas tree and strolled around looking at the lights in Piccadilly as if they were just ordinary tourists.
The vacation is over and it’s time for Kate Middleton, Prince William, and Prince Harry to get back to work. The three Royals attended a charity event for Heads Together recently where each gave a speech on the importance of mental health education and awareness.
Harry’s new patronage was announced in a press release on the Rhinos Botswana website. “We’re delighted to announce that Prince Harry has agreed to become our new patron.”
The press release goes on to say that Harry “will add his voice to that of Botswana’s Honourable Minister Tshekedi Khama to help raise awareness of the plight of Africa’s black and white rhinos and inspire positive action.”
Royal watchers will remember that Prince Harry traveled to the Okavango Delta and participated in a highly sensitive mission to the endangered black rhinos with state-of-the-art electronic tracking devices. Kensington Palace shared a short video clip of Harry’s humanitarian mission. The prince can be heard saying, “If we can’t save these animals, what can we save?”
Prince Harry did take a bit of a break there, nowhere near the time off Kate Middleton and Prince William have taken. It’s good to see Harry is back on track with his charitable work. Now the world awaits a Royal engagement announcement.
Image credit to Kensington Royal // via Twitter