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Harry and Meghan visit Mandela exhibition in London

Getty Images Harry, Duke of Sussex, Meghan, Duchess of Sussex and Nelson Mandela"s granddaughter Zamaswazi Dlamini-MandelGetty Images
The Duke and Duchess of Sussex were said to be 'absolutely thrilled' to have been invited to attend the exhibition's launch

The Duke and Duchess of Sussex have met Nelson Mandela's grand-daughter at the opening of an exhibition charting his life and career.

Zamaswazi Dlamini-Mandela said it was "an honour" for Harry and Meghan to visit the event at London's Southbank Centre.

She hailed the pair's "support for justice and fairness", calling them a "shining example" for young people.

They were invited because of the prince's charity work in South Africa.

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Ms Dlamini-Mandela, a former South African ambassador, described the exhibition charting her grandfather's career from activist to president as "hugely significant".

It is the first time it has been shown in the UK after successful runs around the world.

Getty Images MeganGetty Images
The couple met representatives from the exhibition centre, as well as one of Mr Mandela's fellow inmates, and his grand-daughter Zamaswazi Dlamini-Mandela

Leading former anti-apartheid campaigner Lord Hain, who is chairman of the Nelson Mandela Centenary Exhibition, said: "London was the centre of the anti-apartheid struggle.

"It was here that Mandela's close comrade Oliver Tambo lived, led and directed the worldwide struggle, from military operations in southern Africa to diplomatic lobbying of the United Nations.

"We thought to commemorate Mandela's centenary there should be an exhibition in London."

Getty Images Megan and HarryGetty Images
The duchess wore an outfit by House of Nonie during the visit

According to Lord Hain, the work was curated by the Apartheid Museum in Johannesburg, South Africa, and the Duke and Duchess were invited because of Prince Harry's charity work in southern Africa.

In 2008, Prince Harry visited the cell on Robben Island where Mr Mandela was imprisoned for 18 years and also met Mandela's widow Graça Machel in 2015.

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Also in attendance at the event's launch were Baroness Lawrence and Andrew Mlangeni - a former inmate of Mr Mandela.

The 93-year-old joked he would not wash his hand for a month after meeting Meghan and Harry, who said they were "absolutely thrilled" to be invited to the event marking the former South African president's life.

The exhibition runs until 19 August.