Meeting HIV+ Teens in Angola

In September 2019, Prince Harry, the Duke of Sussex, met with a group of teenagers living with HIV in Luanda, Angola, during his official tour of Southern Africa. The engagement took place as part of the “Born Free to Shine” initiative, a program led by Angola’s First Lady, Ana Dias Lourenço, aimed at eliminating mother-to-child transmission of HIV and supporting young people living with the virus. Originally, the visit was scheduled to occur at a neonatal ward and local health facility, but the meeting was relocated to the Presidential Palace in Luanda at the request of the First Lady. During the engagement, Prince Harry met approximately 20 teenagers who are part of the initiative and serve as youth advocates. The discussion focused on their personal experiences, including challenges related to social stigma, access to treatment, and ongoing public health efforts in Angola. The meeting formed part of Prince Harry’s solo engagements in Angola between 26/09/2019 and 01/10/2019, during which he also highlighted landmine clearance efforts and retraced the route taken by his mother, Diana, Princess of Wales, in 1997. His visit to the “Born Free to Shine” program underscored ongoing international efforts to address HIV/AIDS, particularly among younger populations. The broader Southern Africa tour included visits to South Africa, Botswana, Angola, and Malawi, focusing on health, conservation, and community development initiatives. Why This Moment Matters The meeting highlighted youth-led advocacy in HIV awareness and prevention, bringing attention to ongoing public health initiatives in Angola and the experiences of young people living with HIV.