Duke and Duchess of Sussex, Prince Harry and Meghan Markle three days visit to Nigeria arouse the emotions of many out and in Nigeria especially, as it brought back lost feelings and emotions of colonialism. The Arrival of the couple was in line with the 10 years Invictus game foundation and the invitation by the chief defense staff of Nigeria, General Christopher Miss. This invitation according to him was personal and not official. The couple are no strangers to Africa, as prince Harry even before marriage carried out lots of humanitarian services In African and Meghan his wife claimed to be 43% Nigerian. The couple were highly honored, they were given gifts and special treatment which made many say their tour was a reminiscent of the royal visit. Aside the president refusal on their proposed meeting with him, their visit to Nigeria was pleasant.
Ever since the prince and his wife stepped out of the royal family, they have represented monarchy from California their new home. Their three days visit on the 12th may 2024 to Nigeria was in connection with the invictus game foundation, founder and patron ( this foundation is a sport recovery program for sick and injured military personnel including those whose injury led to disability.) This tour included visits to school and hospitals, speech presentations, musical showcase of Nigerians culture (Moses Bliss a gospel artist was among the few Artists who presented a song in their honor, which made them so emotional) and an evening reception.
During the course of these three days, they arrived Abuja first and visited school event on mental health, Harry played volleyball with Nigeria veterans. Meghan co-hosted a woman leadership program in the afternoon that very day with Nigerian born would trade organization director Ngozi Okonji Iweala.
Meghan discussed her Nigeria heritage and being a role model woman. In this women leadership panel she referred to Nigeria as “my country, my mother land” and thank Nigerians for welcoming her home. On the second day, the couple arrived Kaduna, led by minister of defense and chief defense into a well decorated hall. They met wounded Nigeria n soldiers and military personnel with disabilities, they spoke on how the Invictus Foundation has been effective to people living with disabilities especially soldiers and their family. Lance corporal peacemaker Azuegbulam was among the testifies.
The minister of defense also spoke in appropriation to the prince and his wife saying “This gave us the courage to continue to work and support our wounded.” Prince Harry said he found the reception in Nigeria remarkable in his words “ It is a privilege to have Nigeria be the first African country to join the Invictus game foundation.” On Sunday being their last day I. Nigeria the couple visited Lagos to promote the Invictus game, Prince Harry played basketball with giants of Africa foundation and spoke on the power of sport.
This visit was unique one , as the royal house last visit to Nigeria was in 2003 by prince of Wales and Duchess of Cornwall. Unlike Meghan in-laws she’s the first biracial member of the royal family and is 43% Nigerian, based on a genealogy test as she stated in 2023 on a podcast Archetype. She did not claim to be from a developed nation. As we all know the British royal family has complicated relationship with African continent, due to the history of colonialism. Unlike Prince Kate Middleton’s widely derived Jamaican tour In 2022 which Jamaicans cheered from behind the fences which led to accusation of colonial style. The tour developed lots of attention and opinion both positive and negative.
Many people including Nigerians are of the opinion that the Prince Harry and his wife have an agenda which they didn’t make clear for embarking on this tour in any other country but he choose Nigeria. Royal commentators on BBC said that the tour reflected royal visit because of the attention it got and that Meghan brought more spot light to the tour due to her fame as a Hollywood star which made people question who wears the pant in their relationship, it may be that this hidden agenda the people speak of is the regaining of the couple lost relevance and recognition. Some royal expert are of the opinion that this trip could backfire. The sky News AU digital reporter Relly Sullivan said that effect of this tour could go beyond the control of the couple and stain their image since they are no more members of royal family, he also said that many reporters are of the opinion that it is all plan to have Harry and Meghan to stay blessed after all Nigeria is part of commonwealth nation.
Angela Levin, one of the royal experts, observed Harry’s anger and bitterness during the play of “God save the King” the British anthem, but he wouldn’t say anything so as not to create a scene.she said that Charles was furious about the prince tour to Nigeria as it was a reminiscence of the royal tour, giving the public the impression that they are still members of the royal family. Before the tour Harry was in England for thanksgiving for 10 years Invictus game foundation, report hasn’t that he was two miles away from his father, which sparked rumors of him and his father not being on google terms despite his father Cancer which has raised questions from the public.
Meghan claim to be 43% Nigerians raised series of questions and doubts as well as speculations. During an interview on “ Queen of meme 80” on “sky news”, UK social worker Rosetta Etemewel said, she doesn’t trust the statement of Duchess to be partially Nigerians. Marriage counselor Esosa Edogiawer, said that the Duchess action are not Nigeria like because a Nigerian girl lucky enough to Marry in such family will navigate her way into such family in unity and respect, which I strongly disagree with, is she saying that every Nigerian family are at peace with their daughter in laws ? Uk Educator Egele on the same show asked, why Nigeria and how? Because she needs proof to believe it. The Duchess would have picked any other country but Nigeria.
The Nigerians president refused meeting with Prince Harry and his wife with the excuse of being busy. Harry is not the head of state nor on an official royal tour , the president has better things doing than attending their vain meeting which they want for validation ( Quara by Paul) The Uk high commissioner In Nigeria, Richard Montgamy , told the local media that there wouldn’t be a meeting with Nigeria leaders as their visit was in private capacity and not official.
According to Nigerian press their visit was a success. After their return they posted on social media, thanking Nigerians for our hospitality.
– Ojonubah Esther Unekwuojo a mass communication student of Prince Abubakar Audu University, Kogi State.
