Red was the colour of the night at Buckingham Palace, with both The Duchess of Cambridge and Countess of Wessex (who is celebrating her birthday today) wearing the shade, as they hosted a reception for the African leaders in London for the UK-Africa investment summit.
The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge, the Princess Royal and the Earl and Countess of Wessex join Heads of Government, Ministers and members of NGOs attending the UK-Africa Investment Summit for a group photograph at Buckingham Palace.
The two women were joined by their husbands, The Duke of Cambridge and Earl of Wessex, and The Princess Royal (who opted for navy and white), along with Prime Minister Boris Johnson and government officials from various African countries.
The Royals greeted one another with kisses as they arrived, clearly happy to be in one another’s company.
The new royal order: William, Kate. Anne, Edward and Sophie (no Andrew, Harry or Meghan) #UKAfricaSummit pic.twitter.com/ZC89Lpsq6c
— Rebecca English (@RE_DailyMail) January 20, 2020
The reception was to mark the UK-Africa Investment Summit Which took place in London today. The reception was being hosted by William and Kate on behalf of Her Majesty, who is still on break at Sandringham.
The Royal Family have a strong connection to Africa; it was there that Princess Elizabeth found out about the death of her father and that she had become Queen Elizabeth II. It is also a place that both William and Harry have traveled to get away from it all, even taking their other halves with them.
Princess Anne speaks with her nephew Prince William at tonight’s reception. (Kensington Palace)
Earlier today, The Duke of Cambridge hosted audiences with the Presidents of Ghana and Rawanda at the Palace, while The Duke of Sussex met with the Prime Minister of Morocco and the leaders of Mozambique and Malawi at the Intercontinental Hotel in London during the summit.
Everything culminated in tonight’s reception, with the point of the function being to celebrate the relationship between the United Kingdom and Africa, showcase and promote the various and wide investment opportunities across Africa, and highlighting the UK’s commitment to supporting economic development in Africa.
The Duke of Cambridge held an audience with President @PaulKagame ?? of Rwanda.
This evening The Duke and Duchess, on behalf of Her Majesty The Queen, will host a reception at Buckingham Palace to mark the UK-Africa Investment Summit #InvestInAfrica pic.twitter.com/4MVgYtBmdx
— Kensington Palace (@KensingtonRoyal) January 20, 2020
The event was also the first major event for all royals involved since the statement regarding Harry and Meghan was released on Saturday. So, it was safe to say that all eyes were on them.
All royals present were full of smiles throughout the event, as they spoke with the many African government officials who had assembled at the Palace. At one point, Kate was seen laughing animatedly as she held William’s arm. I’m sure that Sophie even received some birthday wishes.
The Earl and Countess of Wessex speak to guests (Kensington Palace)
Prince William, as co-host, made a speech at the reception. During the speech, he spoke about how close Africa is to him, to his heart. It was where he spent time with his father and brother following his mother’s death, the place that he chose to propose to Kate in and somewhere that he has visited many times officially and unofficially though the years.
On the engagement, which happened 10 years ago this November, the Duke said: “And when deciding where best to propose to Catherine I could think of no more fitting place than Kenya to get down on one knee.”
William, who is patron of the Royal African Society, and Kate expressed to many of the guests that they hope to explore much more of Africa in the future, and share their love of the continent with their three children.
"The African continent holds a very special place in my heart." — The Duke of Cambridge at a Buckingham Palace reception to mark the UK-Africa Investment Summit #InvestinAfrica pic.twitter.com/MVylx0ijiB
— Kensington Palace (@KensingtonRoyal) January 20, 2020
“And as Catherine and I have said to several of you here tonight, we hope to have the chance to visit many more countries in the future and share our mutual love of your continent with our children.”
The night was a success, but also seemed like the start of something new. With The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge hosting the proceedings, the Wessex’s and Princess Royal there for support, you could not help but feel that the family – and particular the future King and Queen – were entering a new era. An era with more responsibilities on them and more work on the others in supporting them, without Prince Harry and Meghan.
