This is when Harry and Meghan will go on tour with baby Archie

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Prince Harry and Meghan Markle are heading off to South Africa later this month with four-month-old baby Archie Harrison.

In an official statement, Buckingham Palace confirmed: 'The Duke and Duchess of Sussex will undertake an official visit to South Africa this Autumn at the request of the Foreign and Commonwealth Office.'

Up until now, the finer details of their upcoming trip have been kept secret. What we do know is that it will be the Sussexes first official tour as a family, and Harry will also visit Malawi, Angola and Botswana. While it was previously reported that baby Archie would stay at home, he is in fact joining his parents and will be the youngest royal baby to go on tour, although he will reportedly stay in South Africa - where the tour starts and finishes - while his father travels, as according to ITV flying on a small plane is not deemed 'suitable' for a royal baby.

This week, Harry took to the couple's official Sussex Royal Instagram account to share exactly when they'll be setting off.

He wrote: 'In just a few weeks our family will be taking its first official tour to Africa, a region of the world that over the past two decades has been a second home to me. Our team has helped create a meaningful programme that we’re so excited to share with you.

'On a personal note, I can’t wait to introduce my wife and son to South Africa! We’ll see all of you very soon.'

A photo posted by on

They then shared a countdown clock on Instagram stories which reveals that the set off on tour on 23rd September.

Harry also used the social media post to highlight several charities and organisations in South Africa, writing: 'Our monthly social awareness approach follows key accounts that inspire us and highlight those working towards positive change. As a lead up to the tour, for the month of September, we wish to celebrate the beauty of this wonderful continent as a whole: from local organisations working hard to better the environment, to the young leaders paving the way for a better future for the Commonwealth and beyond.

'These selected groups are a small representation of the incredible work being done in Africa today from countless people, local communities and organisations.'

Those listed include The Nelson Mandela Foundation, Desmond Tutu HIV Foundation, African Wildlife Foundation, The Halo Trust and National Geographic.

Jadie Troy-Pryde
News Editor

Jadie Troy-Pryde is News Editor, covering celebrity and entertainment, royal, lifestyle and viral news. Before joining the team in 2018 as the Lifestyle and Social Media Editor, she worked at a number of women’s fashion and lifestyle titles including Grazia, Women’s Health and Stylist, and now heads the Marie Claire UK news desk.