Prince Harry and Meghan Markle, the Duke and Duchess of Sussex, have embarked on a three-day “private tour” of Nigeria, commencing their trip with a series of engagements aimed at promoting mental health awareness and supporting charitable initiatives.
Their visit kicked off with a welcome at the Nigerian Defence Headquarters in Abuja, where they endorsed the Prince’s Invictus Games, a Paralympic-style competition for injured and sick military personnel and veterans. Following this, they visited the Lights Academy school in Abuja, where they delivered a lecture on mental health to students.
During the lecture, Harry emphasized the importance of acknowledging one’s emotional struggles, stating, “There is no shame in acknowledging that today is a bad day or that you woke up feeling sad.” Meanwhile, Meghan encouraged students to prioritize their mental well-being and be honest with each other, assuring them that there is no need to suffer in silence.
Their visit to Nigeria also includes engagements with various charitable organizations, including Nigeria: Unconquered, which collaborates with the Invictus Games, and Women in Leadership, co-hosted by Meghan and Dr. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, the director-general of the World Trade Organization.
The royal couple’s trip marks their first visit to Nigeria together, with Meghan expressing her excitement about the opportunity to connect with her Nigerian heritage. Meghan, who recently discovered her Nigerian ancestry through a genealogy test, shared her pride in visiting the country.
The Duke and Duchess boarded a British Airways flight to Abuja, where they were seated in first class and separated from other passengers by a curtain. Their visit to Nigeria follows Harry’s recent attendance at the 10th anniversary celebrations of the Invictus Games in London, where he was joined by close relatives and supporters of the event.
Despite reports of tensions within the royal family, Harry’s spokesman expressed hope for a future meeting between Harry and his father, the King, during his brief UK visit. The Invictus Games, which holds personal significance for Harry, aims to celebrate the resilience and determination of injured servicemen and women.
As Harry and Meghan continue their tour of Nigeria, their engagements underscore their commitment to mental health advocacy and philanthropic efforts aimed at empowering communities and individuals.