Denmark’s future king follows in Prince Harry’s footsteps with extended trip to Africa

When it comes to the royal family, it’s no great secret that Africa holds a very special place in the hearts of a number of royals, particularly Prince Harry and Prince William – but it now appears that another key royal has fallen in love with the country, as Denmark’s heritage to the throne, Crown Prince Christian is due to embark on an extended stay in East Africa following his recent graduation from high school.

The Royal House of Denmark shared the news on August 30, when they confirmed that the future king, 18, will travel to East Africa for an “extended stay” starting on Sept. 4 until some time in December. During the trip, Prince Christian “will be involved in the daily operation of two farms, which will, among other things, include practical and administrative tasks and also give the crown prince insight into local nature protection.”

The Royal House also explained that the decision to spend time abroad is part of a longstanding tradition that the successors to the throne go on extended stays abroad during their youth and have the opportunity to develop and experience the world, with the Prince’s own father King Frederik having undertaken a similar trip to Mongolia back in 1986. In a similar vein, Queen Margrethe, Christian’s grandmother who decided to step down from the throne earlier this year, traveled to East and South America in the 1960s where she had a hugely educational and eye-opening experience.

The news comes just two months after Prince Christian graduated from high school, with the teen now taking a gap year before deciding on whether to pursue education or join the military.

Interestingly, Christian’s decision to head to East Africa shares a striking similarity to that of Prince Harry, who made regular trips to South and East African nations throughout his formative years and into adulthood. Just like the Crown Prince, he also once enjoyed an extended stay in Africa, when he embarked on a two month trip to Lesotho back in 2004.

While in the country, the Prince worked on a number of projects including those that raised awareness of HIV and AIDS, while also highlighting issues such as drought and poverty. Since his first visit at the age of 19, Harry has visited the country no less than five times, and holds a clear love for the nation.

In addition, Harry has also visited several other African countries over the past twenty years, including Botswana, South Africa, Mozambique, Angola, Malawi, Nigeria and Zambia – and has often spoken highly of how much he respects and connects with a place so very near and dear to him.