Meghan and Harry's Honeymoon Plans
One month ago, Travel & Leisure reported a source confirmed that Meghan Markle and Prince Harry would be going to Namibia on their honeymoon-something People echoed in its report that the luxury Hoanib Valley Camp was one likely option for the couple. But even if that was the original plan, as soon as it became public and reported widely across outlets, that changed fast. E! reported right after the wedding that Namibia was not the destination. And royal expert Omid Scobie, who was ABC News's royal contributor during the wedding, confirmed that really any destination the press catches wind of is out.
“The honeymoon destination has changed a few times since they started planning," Scobie told ELLE.com. "If a location leaks prior to travel, it compromises their safety on the trip, and they’ll be advised by their protection team to change plans. William and Kate’s protection officers ended up doing recon on two destinations before they settled on the Seychelles for their 2011 honeymoon. I heard that just over a month before the wedding, Harry and Meghan hadn’t even booked a destination, so these plans have come together rather quickly!”
At least one thing is for sure: it will definitely be in Africa. “Africa has played a huge role in Harry and Meghan’s relationship-it was the place they fell in love [Harry took Markle to Botswana after only two dates], the place they vacationed before the engagement [Harry and Markle went to Botswana again for Markle's 36th birthday last August] and even where Harry bought the center diamond for Meghan’s ring," Scobie said. "It’s the one side of the world where Harry says he feels like he can be himself. He has laid roots there and has a huge amount of love and respect for the African continent. The couple have been keen to explore other countries in Africa, and I’m certain we will see them do that on this honeymoon.”
The location won't be made public, but Scobie has heard some hints of the locations being discussed by Markle, Harry, and their security team from his sources. “I hear that Meghan has been keen to go on a beach holiday with Harry, so I can definitely see them by the sea," he said. "I don’t think they’ll be back in Botswana or on safari as they’re keen to explore countries on the continent that they haven’t seen before."
“William and Kate had such an amazing time in the Seychelles so that could be an option, and Zanzibar has been at the top of their wish list for some time now. The most important thing will be making sure it’s somewhere they can feel safe and have privacy."
There, they'll likely go out and explore: “They always have a guide on visits to Africa so they’ll no doubt want to go on excursions, too," Scobie said. "One of the things that attracted Harry to Meghan when they first started dating was the fact that she’s low maintenance like himself. She has no problem with stuffing a backpack and going out to explore.”
Privacy-wise, “Harry and Meghan will travel with two or three protection officers and details of their trip will be kept secret," Scobie said. "When they travel, the security team use code names for them, so there is never a digital footprint of their movements."
And there won't be any public announcement from the royal Twitter about it either. “Kensington Palace have said that the honeymoon is very much a private trip and they won’t be releasing details to the media. The couple shared so much during the wedding and now is the time for them to enjoy some privacy. They deserve it,” Scobie said.
Their schedule is clear for now, so they could take off at any time. Their decision to delay immediately going on their honeymoon after the royal wedding to attend Prince Charles' garden party this Tuesday for his 70th birthday was a strategic one. “There will be many engagements in the name of Prince Charle’s 70th between now and his actual birthday in November, and with the garden party being the first, Harry and Meghan made sure they were there, even if it meant delaying the start of their honeymoon," Scobie explained. "Charles hosted their evening party [the more exclusive Frogmore House reception, where only 200 guests attended] and this would have been their way of saying thanks. With the couple not due at a public engagement until Trooping the Colour on June 9, the Queen’s annual birthday parade, they now have the perfect window to slip away and enjoy a much-deserved honeymoon break.”
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