Prince Harry and Meghan, the Duke and Duchess of Sussex, have concluded their three-day tour of Nigeria, which saw the U.S.-based couple use their celebrity status to spotlight causes they are passionate about, including sports rehabilitation, mental health, and women's empowerment. Despite the trip being officially dubbed a "private visit," it unfolded with the grandeur and attention typically reserved for royal tours.
The couple received a red-carpet welcome upon their arrival in Abuja, complete with cultural dancers and a partnership unveiling between their Archewell Foundation and the GEANCO Foundation to provide students with school supplies and menstrual products. Harry played a game of sitting volleyball with disabled Nigerian army veterans, highlighting the country's interest in hosting the Invictus Games, the charity sporting event for wounded soldiers founded by the duke a decade ago.
Meghan co-hosted a women's leadership event, where she referenced her Nigerian ancestry for the second time during the trip, stating, "Thank you very much for how graciously you've all been welcoming my husband and I to this country, my country." The simple two words were met with cheering and applause from the attendees.
The duchess's natural ability to connect shone through as she chatted effortlessly with attendees, posed for selfies, and engaged in heartfelt conversations. At an event in Lagos, Meghan was visibly moved when three powerful traditional rulers honored her with royal titles, including "Ada Mazi" (daughter of the Igbo ancestral palace) and "Adetokunbo" (royalty from across the seas).
For Harry, the visit provided an opportunity to demonstrate his compassion and connection to his late mother, Princess Diana, as he visited wounded soldiers at a military hospital in Kaduna. The duke toured about six wards, meeting young men recuperating from injuries sustained in attacks by Boko Haram or due to blasts. A poignant moment captured by a photographer, showing Harry holding a wounded soldier lying on a hospital bed, resonated deeply and went viral on social media.
Despite the couple's longstanding enmity with the U.K.'s tabloid media, some British newspapers pointed out that Harry and Meghan's visit to Nigeria looked very much like a royal tour, including the duke's inspection of a Nigerian military guard of honor and his standing to attention for his country's national anthem, God Save the King.
The Nigeria trip seemed to be a success for the Sussexes, with Nigerians welcoming them with open arms. Malaika Gyang-gyang, a student at the Lightway Academy in Abuja, remarked, "On camera they are good, but in person, holy moly!"
For Nigeria, the visit was an opportunity to demonstrate its capability to host high-profile guests and dispel doubts raised by skeptics, given the country's standing as one of the most dangerous countries to visit according to the UK's Foreign Office. Despite security issues in certain regions, the areas visited by the royal couple over the past several days are relatively safe.
The couple's engagements also extended to cultural experiences, such as witnessing a vibrant dance performance and a polo match at the historic Lagos Polo Club, which holds special significance for Harry and provided a platform to showcase his longstanding commitment to the sport and its charitable endeavors.
As they bid farewell to Nigeria, Meghan declared, "I can't wait to come back!" The visit marked a significant moment for both the Sussexes and Nigeria, showcasing the country's hospitality and resilience, while allowing the couple to engage in a hearts-and-minds charm offensive and explore Meghan's Nigerian roots.
