Prince Harry And Meghan Markle Already Ditched Royal Protocol For African Tour

The British royal family is known for their tight protocol, but Prince Harry and Meghan Markle are doing things their own way. The Duke and Duchess of Sussex apparently decided not to send protocol to their African tour stops in an effort to keep meetings informal.

“It’s very much how they want things done,” a source told Vanity Fair. “There is no protocol that says you have to bow or curtsy when you meet them, it’s really up to the individual.”

Formal engagements typical involve saying “your royal highness” on first reference and then switching to sir or ma’am, but Meghan and Harry are ditching that. Palace aides even confirmed “that the couple are happy to be addressed on first-name terms, particularly when they are meeting members of the public,” according to the outlet.

Though they want to be informal with the people they meet, the Sussexes have also made it clear that they are in Africa to work. There will be no state dinner, and thus no need for Meghan to wear a tiara or any expensive outfits that might lead to more criticism (unlike the $13,500 dress she wore to a wedding recently).

The two want to meet with local communities and hear about their real struggles. It sounds like the people are optimistic that the royals can affect change.

Matsi Modise, founder of SiMODiSA, an organization working with policymakers to help entrepreneurs succeed in South Africa, will meet Meghan on Wednesday with a group of female entrepreneurs, and she’s glad that the former actress is using her platform to bring attention to such causes.

“I don’t want to have tea with the royals for the sake of having tea with the royals,” Modise told People. “I’m not having tea with a princess, I’m actually having tea with somebody who can be a great advocate for empowering entrepreneurs.”

The African tour officially starts Monday.