Nobel Peace Prize laureate Desmond Tutu hailed Britain's Prince Harry and his wife Meghan as "genuinely caring" people when the royal couple visited the former archbishop along with their four-month-old son Archie in Cape Town on Wednesday.

The Duke and Duchess of Sussex have recently been the subject of scurrilous articles in Britain's tabloid media which have accused them of being overly politically correct and contrasted their globe-trotting lifestyle with their stand on climate change.

But the 87-year-old Tutu, a veteran of South Africa's anti-apartheid struggle, gave them a fulsome welcome.

"It's very heartwarming, let me tell you, very heartwarming to realise that you really, genuinely are caring people," Tutu told them, according to a statement from his foundation.

Much attention was focused on wee Archie, making his debut on a royal tour. He sat on his mother's lap while his father chatted with Tutu, video footage showed.

<img alt="meghan" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="876dca09-58df-44f0-ab3b-76208a8b7692" src="//cdn.wionews.com/sites/default/files/inline-images/New%20%2875%29.jpg" />

The family met Tutu and his daughter Thandeka at the Old Granary, one of the oldest buildings in Cape Town, where the cleric's charitable foundation is based.

A small group of well-wishers waited in searing heat to catch a glimpse of the royals arriving at the Old Granary. One elderly woman collapsed and had to be moved to the shade where bystanders and police officers helped her.

The couple were presented with a basket of gifts from the Tutu family celebrating South African women, children and non-racialism including matching hand-made beaded bracelets in the foundations colours, a signed set of children's books for Archie written by Tutu, and a signed copy of the "Book of Joy" written jointly by the Dalai Lama and the archbishop.

<img alt="meghan" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="ae997754-63e9-456d-9462-8a9d66b69c0d" src="//cdn.wionews.com/sites/default/files/inline-images/New%20%2876%29.jpg" />

<img alt="meghan" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="d4eae536-6488-464e-9fd4-6e7058cb3e4b" src="//cdn.wionews.com/sites/default/files/inline-images/New%20%2877%29.jpg" />

Prince Harry was also presented with a pair of framed photographs, one for him and the other for his brother Prince William, of their late mother Princess Diana’s meeting with President Nelson Mandela in Cape Town in 1997. See <a href="https://www.wionews.com/entertainment/prince-harry-meghan-markle-dance-with-youth-mentors-visit-cape-town-mosque-251870">pictures</a> of their visit to&nbsp;Cape Town mosque.&nbsp;

Tutu, who as Anglican Archbishop of Cape Town used the pulpit to preach against the injustices of white minority rule during the apartheid era, has battled prostate cancer for years and has largely withdrawn from public life.

The Desmond &amp; Leah Tutu Legacy Foundation aims to preserve his legacy by helping youth and promoting leadership skills.

Later in the day, Meghan met officials and entrepreneurs of a British-South African tech hub which trains and supports female entrepreneurs. She then headed to the nonprofit organization mothers2mothers, which works to prevent mother-to-child transmissions of HIV/Aids. South Africa has one of the world’s highest rates of HIV prevalence.

The Duchess of Sussex was greeted by cheers from crowds outside the multi-storey building with many onlookers leaning out of windows to catch a glimpse of her in a sleeveless dark blue jumpsuit. Also, read&nbsp;why<a href="https://www.wionews.com/entertainment/heres-why-meghan-markle-isnt-wearing-her-engagement-ring-on-south-africa-tour-251971"> Meghan&nbsp;isn't wearing her engagement ring on South Africa tour.</a>

Meghan briefly stopped to speak to a group of children waiting to present her with flowers and a drawing.

Harry, Queen Elizabeth's grandson and sixth in line to the British throne, has been visiting southern Africa for two decades for holidays and conservation work.

He will travel alone on Thursday to Botswana, where he and Meghan holidayed shortly after they began dating in July 2016 and returned to in 2017 for a romantic getaway.

Harry then heads to Angola, visiting the landmine clearance project which Princess Diana also visited during her campaign to ban landmines. He ends the solo part of his tour in Malawi, where he will meet President Peter Mutharika.

Nobel Peace Prize laureate Desmond Tutu hailed Britain's Prince Harry and his wife Meghan as "genuinely caring" people when the royal couple visited the former archbishop along with their four-month-old son Archie in Cape Town on Wednesday.

Nobel Peace Prize laureate Desmond Tutu hailed Britain's Prince Harry and his wife Meghan as "genuinely caring" people when the royal couple visited the former archbishop along with their four-month-old son Archie in Cape Town on Wednesday. The Duke and Duchess of Sussex have recently been the subject of scurrilous articles in Britain's tabloid media which have accused them of being overly politically correct and contrasted their globe-trotting lifestyle with their stand on climate change. But the 87-year-old Tutu, a veteran of South Africa's anti-apartheid struggle, gave them a fulsome welcome. "It's very heartwarming, let me tell you, very heartwarming to realise that you really, genuinely are caring people," Tutu told them, according to a statement from his foundation. Much attention was focused on wee Archie, making his debut on a royal tour. He sat on his mother's lap while his father chatted with Tutu, video footage showed. The family met Tutu and his daughter Thandeka at the Old Granary, one of the oldest buildings in Cape Town, where the cleric's charitable foundation is based. A small group of well-wishers waited in searing heat to catch a glimpse of the royals arriving at the Old Granary. One elderly woman collapsed and had to be moved to the shade where bystanders and police officers helped her. The couple were presented with a basket of gifts from the Tutu family celebrating South African women, children and non-racialism including matching hand-made beaded bracelets in the foundations colours, a signed set of children's books for Archie written by Tutu, and a signed copy of the "Book of Joy" written jointly by the Dalai Lama and the archbishop. Prince Harry was also presented with a pair of framed photographs, one for him and the other for his brother Prince William, of their late mother Princess Diana’s meeting with President Nelson Mandela in Cape Town in 1997. See pictures of their visit to Cape Town mosque. Tutu, who as Anglican Archbishop of Cape Town used the pulpit to preach against the injustices of white minority rule during the apartheid era, has battled prostate cancer for years and has largely withdrawn from public life. The Desmond & Leah Tutu Legacy Foundation aims to preserve his legacy by helping youth and promoting leadership skills. Later in the day, Meghan met officials and entrepreneurs of a British-South African tech hub which trains and supports female entrepreneurs. She then headed to the nonprofit organization mothers2mothers, which works to prevent mother-to-child transmissions of HIV/Aids. South Africa has one of the world’s highest rates of HIV prevalence. The Duchess of Sussex was greeted by cheers from crowds outside the multi-storey building with many onlookers leaning out of windows to catch a glimpse of her in a sleeveless dark blue jumpsuit. Also, read why Meghan isn't wearing her engagement ring on South Africa tour. Meghan briefly stopped to speak to a group of children waiting to present her with flowers and a drawing. Harry, Queen Elizabeth's grandson and sixth in line to the British throne, has been visiting southern Africa for two decades for holidays and conservation work. He will travel alone on Thursday to Botswana, where he and Meghan holidayed shortly after they began dating in July 2016 and returned to in 2017 for a romantic getaway. Harry then heads to Angola, visiting the landmine clearance project which Princess Diana also visited during her campaign to ban landmines. He ends the solo part of his tour in Malawi, where he will meet President Peter Mutharika.

Archbishop Tutu hails Prince Harry, Meghan Markle as caring couple while baby Archie beams

Britain's Prince Harry and his wife Meghan danced with a group of mentors who teach vulnerable youngsters from townships to swim and surf, then visited South Africa's oldest mosque in Cape Town on Tuesday, the <a href="https://www.wionews.com/entertainment/prince-harry-meghan-markle-to-visit-cape-town-beach-used-for-therapy-see-pics-251729">second day of their Africa tour</a>.

The royal couple visited the Waves for Change project, which grew from a small surfing club started in Masiphumelele township in 2009, and which helps young people from poor and violent communities develop trust and confidence through surfing at Monwabisi beach .

The couple danced and chanted with surf mentors in wetsuits, who demonstrated the therapeutic activities they use to support young people who had survived traumatising experiences.

The Duke and Duchess of Sussex are on their first overseas tour since the birth of their first child Archie, who has accompanied them on their visit.

The compound at Monwabisi beach also houses the Lunchbox Fund charity, which benefited from public donations made to celebrate the birth of their baby Archie.

Harry praised the fund, which provides around 27,000 hot meals each day to vulnerable children.

"It's amazing to think that just on the other side of here you've got tin huts with all of these kids with nothing. And they're bringing them together. Nice hot meal provided by Lunchbox Fund," said Harry.

<img alt="meghan" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="9a864efd-c25d-442c-8755-f749b00c36de" src="//cdn.wionews.com/sites/default/files/inline-images/New%20%2864%29.jpg" />

<img alt="meghan" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="080758eb-11cf-4f25-b9e4-8aad6d9f64f9" src="//cdn.wionews.com/sites/default/files/inline-images/New%20%2865%29.jpg" />

Many of the young people had been terrified of the sea before they joined the youth group, he said.

"Now they can swim, they can surf... it's incredible," he added.

MOSQUE VISIT

Later in the day, the Duke and Duchess of Sussex visited South Africa's oldest mosque, Auwul Mosque, in Bo-Kaap, one of Cape Town's oldest residential quarters and a former slave enclave with brightly-painted houses.

Harry and Meghan, who wore a cream headscarf and long dress, met Muslim and Christian religious leaders, including anti-apartheid cleric Michael Lapsley who lost both his hands and the sight in one eye from a parcel bomb sent by apartheid security forces.

They later took part in the area's colourful heritage day activities and greeted a resident in her home.

<img alt="meghan" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="43c3cff9-c925-43fd-a9c9-b0503af5cc7e" src="//cdn.wionews.com/sites/default/files/inline-images/New%20%2862%29.jpg" />

<img alt="meghan" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="daf2c791-c964-4639-b046-95fa2133932f" src="//cdn.wionews.com/sites/default/files/inline-images/New%20%2863%29.jpg" />

Harry, Queen Elizabeth's grandson and sixth in line to the throne, has been visiting southern Africa for two decades for holidays and conservation work.

He will travel alone on Thursday to Botswana, where he and Meghan holidayed shortly after they began dating in July 2016 and returned to in 2017 for a romantic getaway.

Harry then heads to Angola, visiting the landmine clearance project that featured in iconic photographs of his late mother, Princess Diana, during her campaign to ban landmines.

He ends the solo section of his tour in Malawi, where he will meet President Peter Mutharika.

Britain's Prince Harry and his wife Meghan danced with a group of mentors who teach vulnerable youngsters from townships to swim and surf, then visited South Africa's oldest mosque in Cape Town on Tuesday, the second day of their Africa tour.

Britain's Prince Harry and his wife Meghan danced with a group of mentors who teach vulnerable youngsters from townships to swim and surf, then visited South Africa's oldest mosque in Cape Town on Tuesday, the second day of their Africa tour. The royal couple visited the Waves for Change project, which grew from a small surfing club started in Masiphumelele township in 2009, and which helps young people from poor and violent communities develop trust and confidence through surfing at Monwabisi beach . The couple danced and chanted with surf mentors in wetsuits, who demonstrated the therapeutic activities they use to support young people who had survived traumatising experiences. The Duke and Duchess of Sussex are on their first overseas tour since the birth of their first child Archie, who has accompanied them on their visit. The compound at Monwabisi beach also houses the Lunchbox Fund charity, which benefited from public donations made to celebrate the birth of their baby Archie. Harry praised the fund, which provides around 27,000 hot meals each day to vulnerable children. "It's amazing to think that just on the other side of here you've got tin huts with all of these kids with nothing. And they're bringing them together. Nice hot meal provided by Lunchbox Fund," said Harry. Many of the young people had been terrified of the sea before they joined the youth group, he said. "Now they can swim, they can surf... it's incredible," he added. MOSQUE VISIT Later in the day, the Duke and Duchess of Sussex visited South Africa's oldest mosque, Auwul Mosque, in Bo-Kaap, one of Cape Town's oldest residential quarters and a former slave enclave with brightly-painted houses. Harry and Meghan, who wore a cream headscarf and long dress, met Muslim and Christian religious leaders, including anti-apartheid cleric Michael Lapsley who lost both his hands and the sight in one eye from a parcel bomb sent by apartheid security forces. They later took part in the area's colourful heritage day activities and greeted a resident in her home. Harry, Queen Elizabeth's grandson and sixth in line to the throne, has been visiting southern Africa for two decades for holidays and conservation work. He will travel alone on Thursday to Botswana, where he and Meghan holidayed shortly after they began dating in July 2016 and returned to in 2017 for a romantic getaway. Harry then heads to Angola, visiting the landmine clearance project that featured in iconic photographs of his late mother, Princess Diana, during her campaign to ban landmines. He ends the solo section of his tour in Malawi, where he will meet President Peter Mutharika.

Prince Harry, Meghan Markle dance with youth mentors, visit Cape Town mosque

Britain's Prince Harry and his wife Meghan, on the second day of a whirlwind African tour, plan to spend Tuesday morning at Monwabisi beach near Cape Town meeting young surfers who use the ocean as therapy for youth at risk.

The Duke and Duchess of Sussex, on their first overseas tour since the birth of their first child, <a href="https://www.wionews.com/entertainment/prince-harry-meghan-markle-join-south-africas-fight-against-gender-violence-251644">started their tour of South Africa on Monday</a> in a township known as the country's "murder capital".

Harry will later in the trip rekindle memories of the couple's courtship in Botswana and of his mother Diana in Angola.

Prior to Monday's event, Meghan, a former actress, had only one official engagement since giving birth to son Archie in May.

Waves for Change (W4C), founded by avid surfer Tim Conibear as a small surfing club in Masiphumelele township in 2009, uses surfing as a way to build trust and confidence among youth living in poor and violent communities.

See pictures from the trip so far:

<img alt="meghan" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="c17e19b7-75f6-4fe9-8542-b9cd38ab19e2" src="//cdn.wionews.com/sites/default/files/inline-images/New%20%2855%29.jpg" />

<img alt="meghan" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="aecbdca6-f1f9-474c-ace4-9e1560d1b97f" src="//cdn.wionews.com/sites/default/files/inline-images/New%20%2856%29.jpg" />

<img alt="meghan" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="3671e5b7-513e-4a31-bcf3-b823067be546" src="//cdn.wionews.com/sites/default/files/inline-images/New%20%2857%29.jpg" />

After visiting the W4C compound, which also houses the Lunchbox Fund charity benefiting from public donations made when the royals' son Archie Mountbatten Windsor was born, Harry will meet members of Cape Town city's marine unit to learn more of their efforts in fighting rampant abalone poaching along the Cape Peninsula.

Harry, Queen Elizabeth's grandson and sixth in line to the throne, has been visiting southern Africa for two decades for holidays and conservation work.

He will travel on alone for a working visit to Botswana, where the couple went shortly after they began dating in July 2016 and returned in 2017 for a romantic getaway to celebrate Meghan's 36th birthday.

Harry then heads to Angola, visiting the landmine clearance project that featured in some of the most famous photographs of his late mother, Princess Diana.

He ends the solo section of his tour in Malawi, where he will meet President Peter Mutharika, before rejoining Meghan and Archie in South Africa for another township visit, this time near Johannesburg.

Britain's Prince Harry and his wife Meghan, on the second day of a whirlwind African tour, plan to spend Tuesday morning at Monwabisi beach near Cape Town meeting young surfers who use the ocean as therapy for youth at risk.

Britain's Prince Harry and his wife Meghan, on the second day of a whirlwind African tour, plan to spend Tuesday morning at Monwabisi beach near Cape Town meeting young surfers who use the ocean as therapy for youth at risk. The Duke and Duchess of Sussex, on their first overseas tour since the birth of their first child, started their tour of South Africa on Monday in a township known as the country's "murder capital". Harry will later in the trip rekindle memories of the couple's courtship in Botswana and of his mother Diana in Angola. Prior to Monday's event, Meghan, a former actress, had only one official engagement since giving birth to son Archie in May. Waves for Change (W4C), founded by avid surfer Tim Conibear as a small surfing club in Masiphumelele township in 2009, uses surfing as a way to build trust and confidence among youth living in poor and violent communities. See pictures from the trip so far: After visiting the W4C compound, which also houses the Lunchbox Fund charity benefiting from public donations made when the royals' son Archie Mountbatten Windsor was born, Harry will meet members of Cape Town city's marine unit to learn more of their efforts in fighting rampant abalone poaching along the Cape Peninsula. Harry, Queen Elizabeth's grandson and sixth in line to the throne, has been visiting southern Africa for two decades for holidays and conservation work. He will travel on alone for a working visit to Botswana, where the couple went shortly after they began dating in July 2016 and returned in 2017 for a romantic getaway to celebrate Meghan's 36th birthday. Harry then heads to Angola, visiting the landmine clearance project that featured in some of the most famous photographs of his late mother, Princess Diana. He ends the solo section of his tour in Malawi, where he will meet President Peter Mutharika, before rejoining Meghan and Archie in South Africa for another township visit, this time near Johannesburg.

Prince Harry, Meghan Markle to visit Cape Town beach used for therapy; see pics