Meghan Markle and Prince Harry arrived in South Africa to denounce gender-based violence. In a moving message, the Duchess of Sussex extended a message of solidarity with the nation’s women and girls. 

During their first day in Cape Town, the royal couple attended the nation’s Justice Desk in Nyanga, a township noted for its high rates of crime against women. While there, the two attended a workshop for children’s safety, rights and self-awareness, where Markle addressed hundreds. 

“We are encouraged to hear your president take the next step towards preventing gender-based violence through education and necessary changes to reinforce the values of modern South Africa,” she said.

“On one personal note, may I just say that while I am here with my husband, as a member of the royal family, I want you to know that for me, I am here with you as a mother, as a wife, as a woman, as a woman of color and as your sister. I am here with you, and I am here for you,” she continued. 

Her powerful message resulted in a wave of applause and cheers from the crowd.

Afterward, Prince Harry echoed Markle's remarks about eradicating violence against women in South Africa. 

"No man is born to cause harm to women,” he said. “This is learned behavior and a cycle that needs to be broken.”

He continued by saying masculinity needs to be redefined in order to change the future.

"To me, the real testament of your strength isn’t physical, it’s what’s up here and what’s in here. Your strength is in your spirit, which for me means honoring and protecting my wife, and being a positive role model for my son."

The royal couple, who brought their 4-month-old son along, announced their trip to South Africa in June. 

Thousands awaited as the couple arrived, many of whom offered well wishes and gifts to the duchess. 

“I think I started crying when she came over,” Tam Lievenberg told People.

Lievenberg’s daughter was one of the women in the crowd who gifted Markle with a teddy bear for baby Archie. 

“She is one of my idols and a woman I really look up to,” Lievenberg said.

This was the Sussexes' first trip to South Africa as a family.