Prince Harry and Meghan Markle have landed in Nigeria– This morning, Prince Harry and Meghan Markle embarked on a 72-hour whirlwind tour of Nigeria, arriving together after a reunion in London.
The Duchess of Sussex had flown solo from Los Angeles, landing at Heathrow Airport yesterday, where she was joyfully reunited with her husband at the VIP Windsor Suite.
Together, they boarded a British Airways overnight flight bound for Abuja, the capital of Nigeria. However, their journey faced a slight delay when the scheduled pilot fell ill, prompting a scramble for a replacement.
Despite the setback, the couple, venturing to Nigeria together for the first time, were accommodated in the first-class section of the Boeing 777 aircraft, shielded from other passengers by a discreet curtain.
Their visit to Nigeria follows Prince Harry’s recent return to the UK, where he expressed his delight at being back for the 10th anniversary celebrations of the Invictus Games.
Since Tuesday, the Duke had been actively participating in events related to the competition, including attending a thanksgiving service in London.
Upon their arrival in Nigeria shortly before 5 am today, Prince Harry and Meghan Markle were given special treatment, with other travelers being held back while they were escorted off the aircraft.
As they exited, they exchanged smiles with the cabin crew, signifying their appreciation for the warm welcome.
At Abuja Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Nigerian officials greeted the couple, who were then whisked away through a side door onto a waiting jetty and into a blacked-out minibus.
Meghan was dressed in black trousers and a brown jacket, while Harry followed behind wearing a black jacket and trousers paired with an open-necked shirt.
Their luggage was carried by aides, and they were accompanied by the same security team that had been with Harry during his recent stay in London. It is believed that the couple will be staying at the Transcorp Hilton in Abuja, where the presidential suite costs £600 per night.
Situated amidst picturesque landscape gardens in the heart of the Nigerian capital, the hotel offers various amenities including a restaurant, pool, and spa, making it a popular choice among expatriates and diplomat.
Prince Harry’s team are pictured outside the Windsor Suite at Heathrow Airport yesterday
The Transcorp Hilton in Abuja holds another advantage—it’s conveniently located near the Nigerian Defence Headquarters, where Prince Harry and Meghan Markle are scheduled to have their first engagement at 12 pm. They will be meeting with General Christopher Musa, Chief of Defence Staff, for this inaugural event.
Brigadier General Tukur Gusau, speaking to MailOnline, noted, “They will be tired after their journey, so they will rest, and then the first engagement is at midday at the Defence Headquarters.”
This indicates that the couple will have some time to recuperate from their travels before diving into their official duties in Nigeria.
Following their engagement at the Defence Headquarters, Meghan is scheduled to co-host an event on Women in Leadership alongside Dr. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, the director-general of the World Trade Organization. This event underscores Meghan’s commitment to championing women’s empowerment and leadership roles.
On Sunday, the couple will travel to Lagos for the second leg of their visit. In Lagos, they will participate in various activities, including attending a basketball camp organized by the charity Giants of Africa, attending a cultural reception, and supporting a polo fundraiser for Nigeria: Unconquered.
The Defence Headquarters unveiled the Sussexes’ itinerary during a press conference, noting that while some meetings will be private, there will be a photocall afterward to provide the public with glimpses of their engagements.
The department also revealed Meghan’s excitement about visiting Nigeria to explore her Nigerian ancestry. This sentiment resonates with Meghan’s previous disclosure on her Spotify podcast Archetypes in 2022, where she shared her discovery of having Nigerian ancestry, identifying herself as ’43 per cent Nigerian’.
This personal connection adds a meaningful dimension to their visit, highlighting Meghan’s desire to connect with her heritage and engage with the Nigerian community.
‘Amira’ derives from a legend, symbolizing a warrior princess, while ‘Ngozi’ carries the meaning of ‘blessed’, and ‘Lolo’ denotes a royal wife.
During his opening speech at the games, Harry light-heartedly referenced Meghan’s ancestry, quipping, “Now, I’m not saying we play favorites in our home, but since my wife discovered she’s of Nigerian descent, it’s likely to get a little bit more competitive this year.”
The Duke of Sussex plays games at a Scotty’s Little Soldiers event in London yesterday
This playful remark follows the Duke’s recent participation in the 10th anniversary celebration of the Invictus Games at St. Paul’s Cathedral in London, where he was joined by close relatives of his late mother, Diana, Princess of Wales, as well as a mentor who supported him after her passing. Hundreds of individuals from the “Invictus family” also attended the service of thanksgiving.
The service at St. Paul’s Cathedral, aimed at acknowledging the Paralympic-style competition initiated by the royal, commenced while just a few miles away, the King welcomed guests at the first Buckingham Palace garden party of the year.
During Harry’s brief visit to the UK, the monarch and his son did not have the opportunity to meet due to the King’s “full programme,” as stated by the duke’s spokesperson.
Although there have been reports of issues regarding trust, the statement adopted a conciliatory tone, expressing the duke’s hope to “see him soon.” Notably, the Invictus Games, founded by Harry, serves as a sporting event for injured and sick military personnel and veterans.
Harry and Meghan are thought to be staying in the Transcorp Hilton in Abuja (file picture)
Harry previously met Nigeria’s chief of defence staff in Germany last September at the Invictus Games in Dusseldorf. Nigerian newspapers expressed honor and delight upon learning that Harry and Meghan, with her Nigerian heritage, had accepted the invitation.
In a live Facebook broadcast press briefing, Air Vice Marshal Abidemi Marquis, the director of sports at the Nigerian Defence Ministry, announced that Harry and Meghan would visit the Wuse Light Academy, an institution they are supporting, before meeting with Nigeria’s security chief.
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