Will Harry’s PR pal lead his mission to Namibia?

PRINCE HARRY is well known for his enduring commitment to Africa and, in particular, Lesotho, where he founded his Sentebale charity in honour of his mother Princess Diana.

Now Harry wants to turn the spotlight on Namibia, another Commonwealth country, and one which is also special to his wife Meghan.

Sources tell me that Harry had hoped to squeeze in a secret visit to Namibia ahead of the couple’s tenday tour of Africa, which starts tomorrow, but with a strict itinerary set by Foreign Office officials, he was told it was not possible.

However, Harry has been working closely with the Namibians on the Queen’s Commonwealth Canopy project, an initiative set up in 2015 to preserve forests across all 53 Commonwealth nations.

Namibia’s arm of the network, the Forest Conservation Revegetation Project, seeks to conserve the country’s land, cultures and wildlife, and could well draw in Harry for an official visit with Meghan next year.

The couple reportedly stayed at a £500-a-night lodge in Namibia as part of their honeymoon.

A friend of the couple told me last week that Prince Harry’s PR pal Charles Vivian is said to be planning a visit to the country and could get involved in any future project.

Lord Vivian already spends several months a year in southern Africa due to his role at Tavistock PR.

He is firm friends with the Prince and some say he was invited to baby Archie’s christening in July, although he dismissed the rumour when we spoke last week. He added: ‘I have been in touch with Harry in recent months, but not about Africa. Yes, I am one of his friends.’

Harry would be wise to work with him… with his PR expertise, he may have some words of advice about the gaffes the Duke and Duchess have been prone to lately.