Today, the Duke and Duchess of Sussex visited the Nelson Mandela centenary exhibit at Queen Elizabeth Hall at Southbank Centre. The exhibit, which commemorates the 100th anniversary of Mandela’s birth year, was curated jointly by the Apartheid Museum in South Africa, the British Anti-Apartheid Movement Archives and the Southbank Centre. This is the first time it has made its way to the UK.
Lord Peter Hain, chair of the Nelson Mandela Centenary Exhibition, said:
“The Mandela Centenary Exhibition at Queen Elizabeth Hall, Southbank Centre, which is free to visitors from 17 July – 19 August, will depict the anti-apartheid freedom struggle and Mandela’s vision of a non-racial rainbow democracy based upon justice, equality and human rights. We are delighted the duke and duchess are supporting it.”
The couple met Mandela’s granddaughter, Zamaswazi Dlamini-Mandela, before walking into the Hall, while inside they were introduced to anti-Apartheid activists who had known Mandela and worked with him during his lifetime.
Among some of the artifacts they saw was a book of Shakespeare plays disguised as a bible and a letter of thanks to the British public written by Mandela in 1990 following a concert held in his honor at Wembley stadium.
Finally, they saw a performance from the Ubunye Choir and listened to brief remarks from those involved with the exhibit and and Southbank Centre’s upcoming African Utopia festival. The exhibit itself will be open to the public in mid-August.
Meghan showcased a new Canadian brand today, House of Nonie, with a pale pink trench-inspired dress. I liked the idea behind this – if the asymmetic detailing on the right shoulder was removed and the fabric looked a tad less heavy it would probably be more a win in my book.
The look was paired with a pair of nude Dior heels and, of course, the Duchess’s signature loose bun.
It’s unclear when we’ll next see the Sussexes or the Cambridges at this point, but it should be noted that today is the birthday of the Duchess of Cornwall, who is currently carrying out engagements on the Isles of Scilly with the Prince of Wales. I don’t usually cover Camilla’s work outside of the occasional foreign tour or larger family appearance, but on Tuesday she will actually be on the Isle of Wight receiving a tour of Osborne House from Dame Judi Dench. I will obviously be covering that.