The Duke and Duchess of Sussex, Prince Harry and Meghan Markle, have agreed to visit Nigeria at the invitation of Gen. Christopher Musa, the country’s Chief of Defence Staff.
During a courtesy visit to the managing director of the agency, Malam Ali M. Ali, in Abuja, British High Commissioner to Nigeria, Dr. Richard Montgomery, revealed this to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN).
“It’s great that the Duke and Duchess of Sussex are visiting Nigeria, which I understand is at the invitation of Defence Headquarters.
“But they are visiting in a private capacity, not an official one.
“So, the British High Commission is not involved in arranging or facilitating their programme.
“They are not representing the work of His Majesty’s Government on this visit.”
Prince Harry is slated to begin his voyage on May 8 by attending the 10th anniversary celebration of the Invictus Games at St. Paul’s Cathedral in London.
Soon after, Meghan will travel to Nigeria with him to participate in several events that celebrate the resilience of service members and promote cross-cultural understanding.
The couple’s schedule includes stops at sports facilities, military rehabilitation centres, and meetings with neighbourhood groups that promote the welfare of veterans.
They will also participate in talks on various subjects with local authorities and visit cultural activities.
Prince Harry’s visit to Nigeria is particularly significant because it demonstrates his commitment to the Invictus Games, an international athletic competition for ill, injured, and wounded service members.
Last year’s Invictus Games in Germany saw the participation of 500 athletes from 21 countries.
Nigeria, Colombia, and Israel were represented and it marked their debut in the event.
Nigeria’s Minister of Defense, Alhaji Mohammed Badaru, has expressed eagerness to host the games in the future, further solidifying the country’s commitment to promoting inclusivity and sportsmanship.
During their time at the Invictus Games in Germany, Meghan and Harry shared memorable moments with Team Nigeria, showcasing their support and camaraderie.
Prince Harry made light of the friendly rivalry between him and Meghan, particularly since the latter has learned of her Nigerian ancestry.
Meghan’s connection to Nigeria runs deep, as she revealed on her podcast Archetypes that she has Nigerian ancestry, with her genealogy test showing she is 43 Nigerian.
The revelation further strengthens the bond between the Duchess and the Nigerian people, fostering a sense of shared identity and belonging.
