The Queen and royal family have
expressed their deep sadness at the death of anti-apartheid hero Archbishop Desmond Tutu, who has sadly
passed away aged 90.
Archbishop
Tutu, who won the Nobel Peace prize in 1984 for his part in helping to end the
apartheid system in South Africa, died on Boxing Day.
The Queen released the following
statement: “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.”
The Duke and Duchess of Sussex met the
Archbishop back in 2019, during their royal tour of South Africa. It
was one of the first times royal fans saw their son Archie, who enjoyed having
tea with his parents and Desmond Tutu.
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| The Queen with the Archbishop in 2013 |
A
statement on behalf of Desmond’s family from Dr Ramphela Mamphele, acting
chairperson of the Archbishop Desmond Tutu IP Trust, read: “Ultimately, at
the age of 90, he died peacefully at the Oasis Frail Care Centre in Cape Town
this morning,” reports Sky News.
Prime Minister,
Boris Johnson, shared a tribute, posting on Twitter: “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.”
In
South Africa, the nation’s president Cyril Ramaphosa said the Archbishop’s
death marked “another chapter of bereavement in our nation’s farewell to a
generation of outstanding South Africans.”
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| The Archbishop meeting baby Archie in Cape Town |
Ramaphosa
added: “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.”
Like
the late Nelson Mandela, Desmond Tutu fought to end racial segregation in the
country.
