PRINCE Harry and Meghan Markle mourn “beloved icon” Archbishop Desmond Tutu as the Queen pays tribute to the Apartheid hero.
The human rights activist, who helped to end apartheid in South Africa, passed away in Cape Town at the age of 90.
Archbishop Tutu who was the last surviving South African laureate of the Nobel Peace Prize was an outspoken critic of the country’s previous brutal system of oppression against the country’s Black majority.
The Duke and Duchess of Sussex who had met the activist back in 2019, shared a statement for his passing.
The statement reads: “Archbishop Tutu will be remembered for his optimism, his moral clarity and his joyful spirit.
“He was an icon for racial justice and beloved across the world.
“It was only two years ago that he held our son, Archie, while we were in South Africa- ”Arch and the Arch” he had joked, his infectious laughter ringing through the room, relaxing anyone in his presence.
“He remained a friend and will be sorely missed by all.”
Harry and Meghan had met the Archbishop and his daughter, Thandeka Tutu-Gxashe in September 2019 during a visit to South Africa.
Four-month-old Archie stole the show after he high-fived Archbishop Tutu as Thandeka joked that he will “be a ladies’ man” with Meghan saying he was an “old soul” as her son happily played with a camera.
Archbishop Tutu appeared delighted to meet the family and even handed over some books, including The Book of Joy he authored with the Dalai Lama.
After the meeting the Sussexes shared a cute photo of the archbishop giving Archie a kiss on his forehead, writing: “Thank you Archbishop Tutu for your incredibly warm hospitality, Archie loved meeting you!”
The tributes for the activist were led by the Queen who said she and the entire royal family are “deeply saddened” by his passing.
Her Majesty’s message read: “I am joined by the whole Royal Family in being deeply saddened by the news of the death of Archbishop Desmond Tutu, a man who tirelessly championed human rights in South Africa and across the world.
“I remember with fondness my meetings with him and his great warmth and humour. Archbishop Tutu’s loss will be felt by the people of South Africa, and by so many people in Great Britain, Northern Ireland and across the Commonwealth where he was held in such high affection and esteem.”
Meanwhile, President Joe Biden said he is “heartbroken to learn of the passing of a true servant of God and of the people.
“His legacy transcends borders and will echo through the ages.”
Former US President Barack Obama paid tribute to “a mentor, friend and moral compass”.
He said: “Archbishop Tutu was grounded in the struggle for liberation and justice in his own country, but also concerned with injustice everywhere.”
“He never lost his impish sense of humour and willingness to find humanity in his adversaries, and Michelle and I will miss him dearly.”
Pope Francis said in a statement he sends his “heartfelt condolences to his family and loved ones”.
“Mindful of his service to the gospel through the promotion of racial equality and reconciliation in his native South Africa, his holiness commends his soul to the loving mercy of almighty God.”
The activist was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize in 1984 for his campaign of non-violent opposition to South Africa’s white minority rule.
In a statement minister in the presidency, Mondli Gungubele said President Cyril Ramaphosa expressed his “profound sadness” at his passing.
President Ramaphosa said: “The passing of Archbishop Emeritus Desmond Tutu is another chapter of bereavement in our nation’s farewell to a generation of outstanding South Africans who have bequeathed us a liberated SA.
“Desmond Tutu was a patriot without equal; a leader of principle and pragmatism who gave meaning to the biblical insight that faith without works is dead.
“A man of extraordinary intellect, integrity and invincibility against the forces of apartheid, he was also tender and vulnerable in his compassion for those who had suffered oppression, injustice and violence under apartheid, and oppressed and downtrodden people around the world.”
Archbishop Tutu leaves behind his wife Mam Leah Tutu, who has been described as his “soul mate and source of strength” as well as four children and several grandchildren.
A statement on behalf of his family, from Dr Ramphela Mamphele, described him as a man who “turned his own misfortune into a teaching opportunity to raise awareness and reduce the suffering of others.”
It added: “He wanted the world to know that he had prostate cancer, and that the sooner it is detected the better the chance of managing it.
“Ultimately, at the age of 90, he died peacefully at the Oasis Frail Care Centre in Cape Town this morning.
“Courageous, gracious, and concerned for the welfare of others to the very end.
“As Mrs Tutu says, although he was not physically imposing, he had the inner strength of a lion.”
Tutu was diagnosed with prostate cancer in the late 1990s and in recent years he was hospitalised on several occasions to treat infections associated with his treatment.
Piers Morgan wrote: “RIP Archbishop Desmond Tutu, 90.
“A magnificently charismatic & heroic figure who won the Nobel Peace Prize in 1984 for his relentless campaign against Apartheid in South Africa.
“Love his quote: ‘If you want peace, you don’t talk to your friends. You talk to your enemies.’”
The Archbishop of Canterbury said: “Archbishop Desmond Tutu was a prophet and priest, a man of words and action – one who embodied the hope and joy that were the foundations of his life.
“Even in our profound sorrow we give thanks for a life so well lived. May he rest in peace and rise in glory.”
The Dalai Lama composed a letter to the Archbishop’s daughter, Rev. Mpho Tutu, writing: “Archbishop Desmond Tutu was entirely dedicated to serving his brothers and sisters for the greater common good.
“He was a true humanitarian and a committed advocate of human rights. His work for the Truth and Reconciliation Commission was an inspiration for others around the world.
“With his passing away, we have lost a great man, who lived a truly meaningful life.
“He was devoted to the service of others, especially those who are least fortunate.
“I am convinced the best tribute we can pay him and keep his spirit alive is to do as he did and constantly look to see how we too can be of help to others.”
Prime Minister Boris Johnson said: “I am deeply saddened to hear of the death of Archbishop Desmond Tutu.
“He was a critical figure in the fight against apartheid and in the struggle to create a new South Africa – and will be remembered for his spiritual leadership and irrepressible good humour.”
The Nelson Mandela Foundation added: “His contributions to struggles against injustice, locally and globally, are matched only by the depth of his thinking about the making of liberatory futures for human societies.
“He was an extraordinary human being. A thinker. A leader. A shepherd.”
Ms Mamphele did not give details on the cause of death.
Entrepreneur Richard Branson tweeted: “I’m so sad that Archbishop Tutu has passed away – the world has lost a giant. He was a brave leader, a mischievous delight, a profound thinker, and a dear friend.”
Oprah also paid tribute to a “hope giver, peace maker, justice warrior.”
Born in 1931 in Klerksdorp, Transvaal, South Africa, he became the first Black Anglican Archbishop of both Cape Town and Johannesburg.
During the 1980s, he played a role in drawing national and international attention to the iniquities of apartheid.
He later chaired the Truth and Reconciliation Commission and has continued to draw attention to a number of social justice issues over the years.
In 1993, South African apartheid finally came to an end, and in 1994, South Africans elected Nelson Mandela as their first black president.
President Mandela also appointed Tutu to head the Truth and Reconciliation Commission, tasked with investigating and reporting on the atrocities committed by both sides in the struggle over apartheid.
In his final years, he regretted that his dream of a “Rainbow Nation” had not yet come true.
Asked on his retirement as Archbishop of Cape Town in 1996 if he had any regrets, Tutu said: “The struggle tended to make one abrasive and more than a touch self-righteous.
“I hope that people will forgive me any hurts I may have caused them.”
STRENGTH OF A LION
In December 2003, he rebuked his government for its support for Zimbabwean President Robert Mugabe, despite growing criticism over his human rights record.
He also criticised South African President Thabo Mbeki for his public questioning of the link between HIV and AIDS, saying Mbeki’s international profile had been tarnished.
A schoolteacher’s son, Tutu was born in Klerksdorp, a conservative town west of Johannesburg, on October 7, 1931.
He initially worked as a teacher, but quit in 1957 to join the church, studying first at St. Peter’s Theological College in Johannesburg.
He was ordained a priest in 1961 and continued his education at King’s College in London, before becoming Anglican Dean of Johannesburg in 1975.
Tutu was named the first Black Archbishop of Cape Town in 1986, becoming the head of the Anglican Church, South Africa’s fourth largest. He would retain that position until 1996.
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